This past year has been quite fulfilling for 22-year old, Mike Zombie. Producer of the double platinum Drake single, “Started From The Bottom” and DJ Khaled‘s “They Don’t Love You No More,” it’s safe to say this New Jersey native is ready to secure himself a spot in the game.
Signed to Drake’s OVO imprint as a producer, Mike Zombie plans on making a name for himself by his lonely as a rap artist. Dropping his first mixtape, The End of the Beginning, at the end of 2013, his record “616” has sure become a notable fan favorite. But now Zombie is ready to bring fans his debut album, Rebel Without A Cause. A title inspired by a tattoo he got at the age of 16 after his brother called him one for being a fuck up for no reason at all.
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Without including anything from your resume, who is Mike Zombie?
I’m a hyper, artistic college dropout turned musician that loves creating, proving people wrong and working for what I deserve.
I’m a hyper, artistic college dropout turned musician that loves creating, proving people wrong and working for what I deserve.
How did you land on the name ‘Mike Zombie’?
Mike Zombie: Lol. I like to let people make up their own idea as to how I got that
Mike Zombie: Lol. I like to let people make up their own idea as to how I got that
What made you want to become a producer/rapper?
From being in the car listening to music, catching sounds nobody else was catching in sounds. I never knew how the sounds were created and even with me being in my single digit years I knew didn’t come out of thin air. I finally found out these sounds computer programmed and that;s when my mom bought me my first copy of software to get to work. Nobodies ever taught me how to make music and I can’t play any instruments. I just have a weird ear and crazy determination.
From being in the car listening to music, catching sounds nobody else was catching in sounds. I never knew how the sounds were created and even with me being in my single digit years I knew didn’t come out of thin air. I finally found out these sounds computer programmed and that;s when my mom bought me my first copy of software to get to work. Nobodies ever taught me how to make music and I can’t play any instruments. I just have a weird ear and crazy determination.
Signed To A Label?
Unsigned at the moment as an artist and to OVO as a producer.
Unsigned at the moment as an artist and to OVO as a producer.
What’s the relationship between you and Hollow Da Don? How’d you get in the game?
Maaaaaan that’s my fuckin brother. I went to go check him out in November just to kick it. Me and him get along so well because we just have the same morals and have real talks as if we were friends for mad long. Definitely one of the people I feel owe a great deal. We’re always in touch, that’s my nigga for life.
Maaaaaan that’s my fuckin brother. I went to go check him out in November just to kick it. Me and him get along so well because we just have the same morals and have real talks as if we were friends for mad long. Definitely one of the people I feel owe a great deal. We’re always in touch, that’s my nigga for life.
You don’t seem to gas yourself up considering that you’ve produced records for people like Drake or DJ Khaled. What keeps you humble?Well, I’m honestly trying to get out of that. Not necessary being humble, but people often tell me I’m too humble. Perfect example: I had some girls over and The Source Mag was sitting in my room. One of the girls picked it up and asked why I had it; it was because I was in it, but I thinks he already knew and just wanted me to see it, which just makes things weird. Even though it was, she told me if I was, I needed to let it be known cause that’s good shit and she’s right. I’m just not one for bragging. I like to let my work do the talking. I feel like it’s the most effective way to let it be known.
Has producing for Drake and DJ Khaled got other artists hitting you up? If so, what other artists are you producing for at the moment?
Mike Zombie. Lol.
Mike Zombie. Lol.
Name a song that changed your life forever.
Obviously, “Started From The Bottom.” Other than that, there’s so many that made me wanna make music; but I’m gonna say: Aaliyah’s “Try Again” and 50 Cent’s “I Get Money” & “Piggy Bank.” The production on those 3 blew my mind the first time I heard them.
Obviously, “Started From The Bottom.” Other than that, there’s so many that made me wanna make music; but I’m gonna say: Aaliyah’s “Try Again” and 50 Cent’s “I Get Money” & “Piggy Bank.” The production on those 3 blew my mind the first time I heard them.
Your next project is titled, “Rebel without a Cause.” Why that title? What’s the direction of the project? Any features? Promotional singles?
The title of it [comes] from a tattoo I got on my chest when I was 16, which reads, Rebel Without A Cause. I got the tattoo after my older brother Da Woo, called me one being a fuck up for no reason at all. I just liked to do what I wanted when I wanted and how I wanted. That’s how I feel like life should be lived; but that relates to the project because that’s the attitude of the album from the hellish red artwork to the dark sound of it. It’s raunchy and I wanted to say what I’ve been feeling for too long on here and shit that I really believe, but people are doing to say I’m jumping the gun on.
There’s no features because I needed to show people I needed to show people this new musical lane I’ve hopped in and the lane isn’t just one; and no disrespect to anyone coming up, but I feel like I should be rapping along the Meeks, Drakes, Coles, and etc. So until I can, I won’t sell myself short. The first song I put out was “Just Wait” last year Grammy day but the singles are “Cash Money” and “South Side Anthem.”
How has life changed for you this past year?
I’ll be glad to say I’m not in the same as I was last year, but it’s so much that has changed. I’ve grown musically, mentally. I’ve gotten some more haters which is always sweet and I’ve traveled the most in the last year than ever.
I’ll be glad to say I’m not in the same as I was last year, but it’s so much that has changed. I’ve grown musically, mentally. I’ve gotten some more haters which is always sweet and I’ve traveled the most in the last year than ever.
What’s your goal for 2015? What can we expect from you this year?
I just want Rebel Without A Cause to be a successful project that people can live with forever. A tour and maybe a major deal. One one place I really want to go and I want to hopefully put out my next project which I’ve had the name for already for a minute now. That was mad shit, but yeah, lol. Those are a few.
I just want Rebel Without A Cause to be a successful project that people can live with forever. A tour and maybe a major deal. One one place I really want to go and I want to hopefully put out my next project which I’ve had the name for already for a minute now. That was mad shit, but yeah, lol. Those are a few.
If you had to choose, would you stick to producing or rapping? Why?
Producing only because I could still get on a record vocally without being considered a rapper. Lol.
Producing only because I could still get on a record vocally without being considered a rapper. Lol.
What advice do you have for upcoming producers or rappers who aspire to be in the game?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Any promotional tours coming up?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Any promotional tours coming up?
The only advice I would say is I don’t give a fuck about negative shit people have to say, be yourself, and if you
really want it you’ll find a way to make it happen.
really want it you’ll find a way to make it happen.
5 Years? I’ll be 27. Damn, hopefully performing at the Grammys after a win and in the studio with Imogen Heap or Prince or something like that; and yeah we’re working on a tour right now. I’ll most likely be tagging along with someone else.
Rebel Without A Cause drops January 27th.
- See more at: http://miixtapechiick.com/2015/01/mxck-interview-mike-zombie/#sthash.PpxvaQFj.dpuf