*Also featured on HipHopRemix.com*
Written by Kevin Robinson, Jr.
From the Bronx, New York emerges an extremely talented emcee with the cadence and presence to take the music world by storm. He dropped a free for download LP/mixtape entitled “Heaven’s Fallout,” on his Myspace page with opening songs such as “Vietnam” and heart-wrenching songs such as “There’s Nothing Left.” This cat proves that a hip-hop emcee is eclectic in the music they listen to and also the music they make. Freestyling over electronic bands such as Royksopp and the Prodigy and even Fueled by Ramen’s Fall Out Boy, this Bronx-raised emcee shines on his song choice. Who else could I be talking about? Who else rocks Supras and spit a clean freestyle for the mainstream masses on BET’s “Rap City” a month ago? Mickey Factz, people; if you don’t know who he is, you will by the end of this interview. I sat down with Mickey Factz to get more incite on who he is, and what drives him to make music.First and foremost, man I would like to thank you for thanking the time out of your busy schedule to do this interview with me. I wanted to ask you man, why did you pick the name “Mickey Factz?” Is there any significance behind the name?
Mickey-
The name Mickey comes from Natural Born Killers. He was a ruthless killer who loved Mallory Knox to death. Mallory is Hip Hop to me. Facts are all I talk about in my music, but since I have an edge to me, the 'z' is added.
Do you feel any stress on your shoulders being an emcee from the birthplace of hip-hop, Bronx, New York? Who were and are some of the emcee’s from New York that you grew up on and look up today?
Mickey-
No stress at all. I feel honored to be from this borough. I grew up on Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Biggie, KRS-One, Big Pun, Big L etc. Any lyricists who could tear you apart in a cipher [as well].
Is “Heaven’s Fallout” an album or a mixtape?
Mickey-
It’s a conceptualized album. It’s my 3rd actually. The first one was “In Search of the N.E.R.D.” The second was “Flashback”
How would you define your music?
Mickey-
My music is the fork in the road to greatness. Everybody usually makes the right when you get to the fork. But if you want to be daring and feel like you’re REALLY getting somewhere, make that left and experience something life changing.
The internet is a powerful tool man for independent artists, and I can say that I would not even know who you were if it wasn’t for the ‘net. How do you feel about using the internet to promote and market yourself?
Mickey-
It’s a blessing for me. I have access to tons of people who surf the net and go on to blogs to find some of the hottest talent out. I use it to my advantage because I'm thinking outside the box when it comes to marketing and promotion.
When you were featured on BET’s “Rap City,” how did that feel to know that you were gaining more exposure to a grander and more mainstream audience?
Mickey-
It was amazing because the goal is to be seen by everyone's eyes. I can't wait for the next installment.
Brah, I can hella relate to “There’s Nothing Left” on the “Heaven’s Fallout” release; I wanted to ask you if that was all truthful accounts of what happened to you?
Mickey-
Yes. That was one of the realest songs I ever wrote. Every word is the truth. It’s one of my more favorite songs on “Heaven’s Fallout.” Really touching....
I had no idea what Supras were until I heard your song, “I Love Your Supra’s.” I had to go cop a pair after I seen them. Are you sponsored by Supra and how would you define your style of dress?
Mickey-
Supra and GFCnewyork have a continuous growing relationship. They understand the direction I'm going towards, and they support it 100%. My style of dress is definitely one to admire. Quite frankly, I'd call it breath taking.
I know that the Bronx is your hometown, but do you have any other place or city that you can call your second home?
Mickey-
The studio. [Laughs]. Homesweet home.
You are the only emcee that I have heard to use rock and electronic bands instrumentals to freestyle over. A lot of cats do not realize that hip-hop is a gumbo pot and is mixed of different types of music to make hip-hop. What bands do you listen to?
Mickey-
Currently it’s diverse. Vampire Weekend, Janelle Monae, Chester French, Aerosmith, Daft Punk, Telepopmusik etc. I try to broaden the sound that I listen to on a daily basis.
If you could work with any artist, band or composer (dead or alive), who would you want to do a project with?
Mickey-
I'd work with Jimi Hendrix. [He’s an] absolute monster when it comes to letting music embody him.
Are you touring this summer? How do you feel about the line-up for Rock the Bells? Man…I know you’re going, right?
Mickey-
Yeah, I’ll be doing a couple shows here and there. Keep your eyes open. I'll make a surprise appearance at Rock the Bells as well.
Are there any last words that you would like to leave with the HipHopRemix.com heads?
Mickey-
”The Leak” is available every week for free on my Myspace page at www.myspace.com/itzmickey.
”The Achievement” LP will be due out at the end of the year as well.
Mickey Factz has all of the charisma and talent to push him into the high-level plateau that he is destined for. Thanks, Mickey for taking the time out of your schedule to do this interview with me; “Heaven’s Fallout” is a free download on Mickey Factz’ Myspace page. Make sure you go download it and support this cat.
