Today we’d like to introduce you to Mickey XXY.
Mickey, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started recording and engineering at age 15 and started making beats and taking photos at age 17. When I was in high school, I had a girlfriend who was obsessed with Wiz Khalifa, and she would ask me to freestyle from time to time. Then one day I got bored and decided to write a song and record it. I’m 25 doing the same thing to cure my boredom. At first, I was really really bad at it. Like really bad, but I kept at it. I didn’t really start taking my art seriously until about 2 years ago, I told myself I was gonna stop creating and focus on my life, but always found myself in the space and ended up recording “2099” by accident and met Doctor Freon. I’m relatively new to Florida, born and raised in New Jersey, I decided to move out here shortly after our encounter and haven’t look back. Kinda how we got here, but I’m grateful nonetheless.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road at all. Not only was I bad, but there really wasn’t a scene when I first started. A scene didn’t really start developing until I left Jersey. And along way, real life kicked my ass. I’ve battled drug addiction, toxic relationships, homelessness, death, self doubt, racism, hate, you name it, I’ve lived it. Moving here to Orlando has been rough as well, but compared to what I’ve been through, it’s nothing. I’m just grateful be in the position I’m in right now. Truly blessed.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an all-around artist, but most know me as recording artist/performer, beatmaker, photographer, and mixing engineer. I dabble in streetwear fashion as well, plan to start my own brand relatively soon, and slowly getting into videography.
When it comes to my music, I’m very hands on in the process. Originally, I was mainly just a rapper, but started to develop a voice and stuck with it. Over the years of producing for myself, I created my own sound, very spacey and futuristic and you can consider that sound a staple for my music. I don’t produce for myself as often anymore, but I like to adjust the mixes of each beat I use and add my own spin to it. My mixing style isn’t by the book either, but together with my engineer Mania, we are slowly making sense of it. Never really went for placements, but lately, I have and it’s been going well, So far as a producer, I’ve produced for, Eyesayge, LokiNumb, 083Butta and many more.
I’ve been taking photos since high school. Did the yearbook for my class, me and one other girl, and ended up going to school for a bit at the Art Institute of Philadelphia. Never finished but I got what I needed. I specialize in fashion photography, but lately, I’ve been shooting for 98ent’s events and enjoying every moment.
Everything that I do is raw, authentic and honest. My main goal as an artist is to spread light and love and so far I’ve been able to do so. I’ve been dropping new music every two weeks, I do a monthly vlog of my experience(XXY experience on YouTube) and performing at least 1-3 times a month out here in Florida.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
As an artist, it’s not up to you to decide whether your work is good or not. It’s up to the consumer so listen to them. Being an artist is also a service, and when you’re doing it right you can bring people together.
Remain humble, educate yourself, and have fun. This life is too short, it’s not always about the money, even though it’s a nice benefit, it can ruin your art.
If I had the knowledge I have now about the music industry back then, it would’ve been a different ball game. I don’t regret a second of my journey nonetheless.
Contact Info:
- Email: mickeyxxyzzz@gmail.com
- Instagram: @mickey_xxy
- Twitter: @mickey_xxy
- Youtube: Mickey XXY
- SoundCloud: Mickey XXY
Image Credits
XXY
Zak Kerestesy
George Hernandez
