BIO

The D Low on Mikey Rockwell Posted Sun 23 Nov 2008 1:39PM NZDT by James Castady in Rap It Up From humble beginnings freestyling in carparks and house parties in the late 90’s - to producing, recording, mixing and writing his own debut LP, Auckland based artist Mikey Rockwell has journeyed both the world and the mind to find what has become his debut album ‘Free Slaves’.

As the first beats and rhymes began to manifest from this musician in ‘99, Mikey was focused mainly on the old boom bap records of the early ninetees, groups such as A Tribe Called Quest and Busta Rhymes stimulating the idea that hip hop could be both positive and musical.

Ten years of learning, practice and a 3 year bout of depression (and recovery) have been the ingredients to create music that hasn’t strayed from the same philosophy all those years ago. ‘Free Slaves’ is an album that was recorded on the path to freedom, both in society and in the mind, and the music reflects the lighter side of life and the challenges faced with breaking out of the mundane.

Mikeys musical influences include hip hop, old school funk, jazz, disco and latin, and the lyrics are uplifting and approachable, while staying true to the hip hop format. Album guests include Huia Hamon, MC Speakeasy (Kolab) and MC Bjorn (Opensouls).

Since taking his music to the people in ’05, Mikey has performed all over NZ with DJ’s CXL, Orphan, Rectangle, Alias, Martin Marshall, Low Key & Sambro. He was also part of an opening show for Jerassic 5 and has been the frontman for live jazz/funk fusion bands, Timothy William Trio and The Funk Clinic. An opportunity to rap alongside Kolab at their regular live Auckland shows led to a national tour with the group and the co-producing/engineering of their debut album ‘ What Comes Next’. Also while recording Free Slaves, a demo of the song ‘Turn Ya Dial Up’ attracted a nomination for ‘Best Unsigned Artist’ at the 06/07 Australia/New Zealand Urban Music Awards.

The pre-album EP, ‘Quintessential Space Travel Guide’ was picked up by bFM and other DJ’s and the track ‘Take Off’ became a play-listed track and the backing for a bFM NZ Music advert. Juice TV, C4 and AltTV have regularly played Mikey’s first two videos for ‘Turn Ya Dial Up’ and ‘Grateful’ feat Speakeasy and MC Bjorn, getting a warm public response. And of late Mikey has also become a regular guest vocalist with upcoming band, The Shades, taking it to crowds across the nation. It seems that this musician has the ability to add value to whatever he becomes involved with, while maintaining integrity in a very questionable hip hop market.

The new Rockwell video ‘Bring the Funk’ has just been released to promote the album, and is the most watchable music video to come from the Rockwell camp yet.

You can pick up a copy of Mikeys debut album 'Free Slaves' here

www.itunes.com/mikeyrockwell

Mikey Rockwell raps well ya'll go get some.