MIKE Interview | 'Burning Desire,' Earl Sweatshirt, MF Doom, Alchemist, 'Pinball' & More!

#OGM #OurGenerationMusic #MIKE
Sign up to ‪@PrizePicks‬ and use code “OGM” for a 100% deposit match up to $100! ➡️ prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/OGM
MIKE's burning desire? Rap like he's living out his last days. Revered for his work alongside Earl Sweatshirt, Alchemist, Wiki, Tony Seltzer and more, the New York City wordsmith is a lyrical wunderkind that continues to uplift contemporary hip-hop to new heights.
Citing Earl (who he describes as his "favorite rapper"), Sade, Skepta, Tyler, The Creator and MF Doom (covering he and Madlib's underground hit 'All Caps' as his first song) as major influences, MIKE's come a long way since sharing 'Belgium Butter' on Bandcamp in 2015. Living in Jersey, Philly and London for a stretch of time, MIKE's well-traveled, channeling these experiences growing up and living in different cities through a grimy yet calculated aesthetic. Holding his pen to higher stature, you're getting more out of music when you're listening to MIKE.
Touting a catalog packed with double-digit albums -- his most recent being the acclaimed 'Burning Desire' and 'Pinball' with Seltzer -- the 25-year-old rapper's drawled, intoxicating monotone and upper echelon wordplay feed the souls of fans (new and old) listening intently. He's a natural born storyteller. In the background of every verse lies his affinity for beats, as his producer alias 'dj blackpower' rears its head on solo MIKE records and dedicated beat tapes alike (his latest being 'Dr. Grabba'). There's much more to MIKE than meets the eye -- always thinking about the next project, next song or next verse he looks to gift the world. He always lets it all out on the mic.
Sitting down with OGM Hakeem Rowe, MIKE spoke on new albums in 'Burning Desire' and 'Pinball,' his relationship with Earl Sweatshirt, touring, his influences, new music and more in our latest Our Generation Music exclusive interview.
Follow MIKE / / mikelikesrap
CREDITS:
Hosted by: Hakeem Rowe / / ayohakeem
Directed/Shot by: TooSam / / toosam_
Producers: Pablo Perez / / shootervisuals_ | Jon Barlas / / jonbarlas
Research by: John Cotter / / johncottermedia | Thomas Galindo / / thomasgalindo3
Follow Our Generation Music 🔰
Web: ourgenerationmusic.com
IG: / ourgenerationmusic
Twitter: / ogmusicco
TikTok: / ourgenerationmusic

[@OurGenerationMusic]

What’s your favorite MIKE track of all time? 💭

[@zayytesla]

zombie

[@liltupac1536]

God’s With Me, Numbered Days, Like My Mama, Horizin, Plans

[@SandileShamase-ll6tg]

Too many to mention If u fux & understand MIKEs sound I ask has he ever dropped a bad album

[@ftheoddity]

I love the entire DISCO! album, I always make it a point to listen to the entire album.

[@moshedouglas4478]

Burning Desire

[@cburr81]

everytime anyone say rap is dead… I know they ain’t listen to MIKE yet

[@dozer0535]

The realest shit I've seen all day 🪩

[@kurexx3424]

Rap has never been dead, it’s just a lot of the higher quality rappers are underground now , like Mach Hommy MIKE Mavi Chris Crack Billy Woods Roc Marciano Boldly James Earl Sweatshirt YOD Just to name a few 💯

[@chopstickingstylus]

@@kurexx3424Mach Hommy just dropped #RICHAXXHAITIAN, and its worth checking out. Favourites are the title track, COPY COLD, and THE SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW

[@cburr81]

@@kurexx3424 I agree, folks who be saying that are the ones who think the rap caviar playlist is the pinnacle of rap lmao

[@hirammulero22]

literallyyy

[@linc3152]

Mike is an incredible musician, live performer, and curator while also being a great guy and such a positive influence on music. One of the greats of our time🙏 if you haven’t seen him live before I can’t recommend it enough I went to 2 shows this tour, 2 shows last tour, and young world 3 which was beautiful

[@ptoocozy]

hearing him live was needed, saw him in phoenix this tour 🙏🏽

[@Aidan_Chillz]

Wish that boy would come to Florida

[@AJBuddha]

The Mike Jordan of music

[@Fatmanhect]

Seeing him live was a great experience. All around positive vibes

[@JGarcia-yr9fx]

@@AJBuddhamj is a goat in his sport and a great businessman, he def aint a nice guy tho 😂

[@akirataken]

Mike rockin the keffiyah 🇵🇸❤️‍🩹

[@jxmal]

this isn’t the palestinian one, this one is commonly used by saudis

[@akirataken]

@@jxmal I’m well aware but I’m p sure he’s wearing it in solidarity with Palestinians not with saudis lol. The message still gets across

[@jxmal]

@@akirataken the message doesn’t really get across because the red and white one is used by an extreme palestinian group that believes in the destruction of Israel whereas the black and white one truly represents palestine. bros just wearing this one for fashion lol

[@akirataken]

@@jxmal aight whatever you said brodie im not gonna get into semantics about this when the majority of people who see the keffiyah are not thinking about the PFLP or PLO or Hamas or any specific group. Pull up to the White House protest on June 8th and wear whatever keffiyah you want. Free Palestine 🚩✊

[@fuadsaidaltun2004]

Did you know, he held up a Palestinian flag with Mavi at a concert in London

[@nickpate4564]

Who is Mike? For the blind, He is the vision. For the hungry, He is the chef. For the thirsty, He is the water. If Mike thinks, I agree. If Mike speaks, I'm listening. If Mike has one fan, it is me. If Mike has no fans, I don't exist.

[@trakficjam17]

MIKE, is Hip-Hop. I just watched him perform recently and stole the show. Caring, loveable, and positivity in his music. Thank you OGM for giving the recognition he deserves.💯

[@mikesway4522]

Dapped up the whole front row!

[@Kipp_mubu]

I feel like MIKE & even MAVI are lowkey the soul of hip hop rn !!

[@zayytesla]

Just mike n earl

[@SandileShamase-ll6tg]

Navy blue maxo & pink siifu too

[@6luckas___]

all 10k

[@dozer0535]

Faxx​@@6luckas___

[@destroylonelygaming2011]

never thought MIKE would be on ogm

[@zayytesla]

Never thought a nigga wit ya username would fw MIKE respect

[@ayoohakeem]

🤧🤧🤧

[@AJBuddha]

I didn’t either but ogm really be tapped in with the underground legends

[@OurGenerationMusic]

Much much more coming… thank yall for tuning in

[@pinkkpurpleblue]

Generational talent

[@jolikudo]

MIKE be happy as hell man🤣 that's rare these days he has positive energy

[@jofi9167]

true that but he also high as fuck bro hahaha

[@MitsuTheGood]

dudes will see this and say hell yea

[@Joel-cc8kx]

hell yea

[@seanjjpaul]

Burning desire was an incredible album

[@foulplaylisu]

big mikey the best in the whole world , luv from South Africa gang

[@user-ov1ju3cz1y]

A fellow south African with elite taste in music 🔥🔥🔥

[@SandileShamase-ll6tg]

Let's link bafwethu Like-minded folks best stay together

[@unknownswifty9248]

Type sh

[@budeliMuano]

I've realiser S.A has a lot of open minded people like us musically

[@anovuyotindleni6056]

ouens

[@MrJavonnthomas]

Saw MIKE in Detroit last month and man this guy is a performer. He and El Cousteau, Niontay and 454 killed it 🔥

[@BennySazon]

Finally, this side of the culture is getting shown love

[@ayoohakeem]

🤧🤧🤧

[@jadenredd]

aye that 6 feet beneath the moon pull is crazy, never knew MIKE listened to archy!

[@hozhoreno]

this why MIKE the goat 🙏

[@pavoquemado]

What’s crazy is Archy pulled up to one of his shows in the UK and posted about it which is sick

[@SandileShamase-ll6tg]

Archy has been homies with earl from early OF days so it makes sense

[@soaked189]

@@SandileShamase-ll6tgyeah there’s videos of navy blue and them guys going crazy at the front of old king krule gigs

[@jolikudo]

MIKE music keeps me going. Numbered dayz has been one of my most played songs for the past 5 years

[@DMUSA-gd6kq]

Fam, when that first dropped I was floating. It was so different from his previous stuff. Bro’s Ear is crazy.

[@PacmanJedstarz]

Enough time inspiring the homies, nobody will be hungry again - Mike

[@DeloMar]

Im proud of MIKE fr (the goat made it🤞🏾)

[@Slattimirputin]

Just saw MIKE tonight w/ costeau, 454 n niontay. The stage presence and energy was stellar. He really brings out that love and energy.

[@leavesofgrass1917]

love the keffiyeh, salute big MIKE

[@eternalbondsonfilm]

Whole Wide World my favorite MIKE song 🎶

[@Mario-bl5ud]

Shit scary but i stay spinnin

[@shuraimgames]

@@Mario-bl5ud lookin at obituaries with ur name in it 😵‍💫

[@thokozanikwinda1513]

Literally woke up to this, I'd like to thank OGM for bringing MIKE over to the platform, this man's music changed my life & we're the same age. Next time bring dj blackpower to the mix😂😂🔥

[@Only1iSO24]

Saw bro live, Top 3 shows I ever seen. Everyone rocked that Mf. Shout out el Cousteau, 454 and Niontay too

[@bigglobnationxzzz]

Tell Mike I’m glad he exists and helped me out with many things in life that I couldn’t tell others in his work

[@PrettyAdrian804]

My favorite new rapper right now!!!! Some of the illest samples I've heard on an album

[@manager8632]

I thought MIKE pitch down his vocals on some songs but bro really does just have that deep ass voice.

[@dono_0074]

so fucking glad to exist in this time with him, BIG MIKE is what the world needs

[@sshakirr]

bro dropped three GOATED albums in the span of a year and a half. NO MISSES, ALL HEAT.

[@toma8283]

Got the chance to meet Mike after a concert this month. One of the most humble ppl Ive met in my life and just really nice to be around. Show was amazing as well

[@Michel-hq7kb]

Recent Navy blue interview and a mike interview we getting blessed rn

[@bruceprofitsTradesFutures]

We needed this

[@enzovanvaerenbergh12]

This guy is just amazing being an Artist comes with a lot of pain and just self hate but this guy just proved that you don’t need to be the BEST or have the craziest flows to be GREAT you can do your own thing and have less streams but more respect from those streams and just build your fan base

[@enzovanvaerenbergh12]

I yapped to much

[@TSHGTheStrawHatGhost]

Yap sum more​@@enzovanvaerenbergh12

[@solomonpnq]

we need pt.2 right now!! fire project

[@ericcmoore1696]

We all needed new MIKE album soon too! ❤🔥 Big Love

[@zsebestien7050]

MIKE's music saved my life fr, got to meet him in NOLA it was fucking sick. So hype for all the new shit!!!!

[@eddiepower1]

This was a great interview. But why does no one ever ask this man about the beats 😂. I’m not tryna get cheat codes but this man is the best beat maker in the world atm. J Dilla of our gen for sure. I wanna hear him talk on it!!!!!

[@fivethousandnine]

Hell yeah, especially his old beats

[@cashcor]

he’s so good bro

[@JaysWorst]

One of my favorite artist rn can’t wait to watch

[@coreygreene9498]

Been waiting for this one! The young GOAT!

[@jpars3522]

Glad I got to learn more about Mike.

[@RIPFemaleDoggy]

Wow , would’ve never expected this one 🔥🔥🔥

[@essasolex]

hearing MIKE talk about tangin’ growing up in Philly just made my weekend

[@xuniversalx635]

I think MIKE and Sadhugold would create a dope art piece

[@orowaafrika]

Yoooo‼️‼️

[@blue_n_exile]

big MIKE! will go down as one of the greats when all set and done

[@Get2thebreesh]

Fyee interview 🙌🏽

[@pipebomb2960]

mike concert was so good man he’s awesome

[@joshgotjuice]

Stopped watching these but hadda tune in for Mike. Great interview 🔥

[@ayoohakeem]

Glad you back 😂😂😂

[@jacobmunoz7771]

One of the greatest out rn. Amazing talent, amazing soul 💯🗣️

[@chronicgold6821]

MIKE THE GOAT

[@ianescalante8898]

Yooooo let’s go

[@Nova8_1982]

much love from South Africa🇿🇦

[@imnotbrave2016]

my goattttt, love big mikey

[@whoshotjohn.]

my favorite rapper thank you for providing us with this

[@gris-yl3we]

Mike on a crazy run right now he getting me thru high school

[@skott3ree445]

fire interview

[@Hiphopneverdies47]

Legend in the making 🇳🇬

[@tommasoos9138]

Mike is very chill and respectful

[@terrafyeeeee]

Cool interview man

[@hozhoreno]

can’t believe i saw this man live 🙌

[@milkmeetsworld]

this is why subscribed. 🔥

[@obamasjumper]

today is one year since my mom passed, that ireland story is so fire and real. been rocking w mike heavy lately.

[@quietman208]

RIP. I’ve gone through the same thing and Mike’s music is what helped me through it. Hope you’re doing good

[@kano--]

BIG Mike

[@danielcolehernandez1852]

MIKE remembering that Dublin story I saw the dad post on social, very wholesome

[@ShingieLee]

omg they got my goat baby jesus on ogm 😭🆙

[@TheVault777]

It's awesome to see him performing in Europe so often!

[@yvngarmz5984]

Wow that is a beautiful top 3 albums. MIKE a whole legend I'm glad this interview popped up when it did and that I got to see my GOAT in Amsterdam this year, he truly has a unique kind of positive uplifting energy. OGM stay tapped in this is so dope to witness.

[@SoftOp.]

What was the top three albums? I couldn’t catch it while watchin’ this.

[@yvngarmz5984]

@@SoftOp. Madvillainy-Madlib, MF DOOM One Two-Sister Nancy 6ft Beneath The Moon-King Krule

[@davidonyango9925]

Big fan of bro, true wordsmith fasho

[@LaJinn25]

Bro not only musically on point, but politically as well

[@Shlraori]

Mike been consistent

[@clwdytunes]

we need MIKE on well well well

[@wvr_archv]

so excited for mike surf gang collabs

[@gerardsmiith]

Unexpected interview from ogm but this is dope

[@EMWELL]

let’s gooo

[@davebuchi]

MIKE🐐

[@w4ste.official]

Hope to see more people talking about Mike soon

[@12kgotti]

My brudda the greatest

[@xsasquatch]

MIKE MY IDOL

[@sybkjxylen1194]

Saw bro in KC. An experience honestly

[@BattleRapBum]

big MIKEYY

[@masterbogus.]

one of the best to do it

[@OddieStrangeluv]

Yessssssss I’m so glad he said whole wide world that shit makes feel like I’m dancing thru the pain it’s hard to explain but fuck I luv that shit

[@UnhandySkink]

MIKE better be big one day

[@swigz7618]

BIG MIKEYYY

[@baddworld]

yessir

[@Moetriple7]

As a Philadelphian I’ve gotta meet this man

[@trymikefirst]

pinball 2!!! i need that

[@DrGlobbers]

mike is the best performer i’ve seen ong

[@alexanderpinterscale289]

Seen him twice in LA and one time Vegas

[@CowboyPat]

My boy MIKE!!!!

[@sundaynap8616]

GOATED!🤞🏾❤️

[@larrynester6387]

bro’s been rolling the joint for half the interview 😂 all love to mike

[@ftheoddity]

BIG BABY JESUS MIKE

[@shootingbysal]

not knowing Slauson Malone 1 is something you gotta fix asap bro !! i had no clue he went to school with MIKE but that makes perfect sense

[@alexanderpinterscale289]

Slauson is too crazy

[@cortez47]

I just saw MIKE yesterday in Dallas! Got to dap him up. Super humble dude for real.

[@mikesway4522]

Saw him in Austin. Shit was lit!

[@alexanderpinterscale289]

@@mikesway4522in LA and meet Earl for 1st time 🏆

[@mikesway4522]

@@alexanderpinterscale289 Super dope my guy!

[@easte8913]

LETS FUCKING GO!!!!!

[@meiriversofborg]

Greatest artist of the 2020s, forget about just rapper

[@EverythingColossal]

Respectfully, out of all the artists to interview this was not expected. Dope video! What’s y’all process with choosing who to interview?

[@ayoohakeem]

Just What I Like Honestly

[@elverchavez5776]

I know a few heads that go to cooper they’re so cool and inspiring it’s dope af knowing the crossovers in mikes influences

[@stixzwilson5326]

mike on OGM is legendary.

[@missingpersn]

Mike is a legend