Introducing… Mickey Free

Mickey Free, the talented rapper/producer from Maryland is a relative unknown in the music business, but has some potential to make some noise.

After being able to score a placement on Big Pooh’s The Delightful Bars album [read review] he’s still trying to find his way around this thing called the music business and get his sound out there.  Let’s find out who Mickey Free is…

Where You Reppin:

Baltimore, MD

Introduce Yourself:

I’m Mickey Free, 26 yrs old, Producer/Rapper

Current projects we should be looking out for:

Rapper Big Pooh “Delightful Bars: North American Pie Addition” Track 5, “C.O.D”

Previous work that we should know about:

Not too much to speak of so far!I’ve been producing for almost 10 years, but in the wider rap game I’m a new jack I guess. Mostly I work in Baltimore with my man Height. He’s a dope, very eclectic MC. He’s got a new record out on Wham City records. The label is run by this cat Dan Deacon, who’s kind of a superstar on the indie music scene; he basically put Baltimore on smash. If you follow indie rock or whatever, Baltimore is kinda on some Seattle-in-the-90′s shit right now. Anyway I mixed and produced much of Height’s new record, entitled “Baltimore Highlands”. But that’s got a sort of different sound than most of my tracks.

Main musical inspirations:

Dilla, Timbaland, Madlib, Sir Jinx, Bomb Squad, Soopa Fly, Just Blaze, RZA, Kurupt, Jay-Z, Redman, Ice Cube Fleetwood Mac, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Daft Punk.

If you had to pick one song that defines your career to date, what song would that be?

“C.O.D.” by Rapper Big Pooh

Why should the readers and fans give you a shot and listen to your music from here on out?

I’d say for the same reason I keep making beats: I’m CONSTANTLY growing and improving. When I hear a beat I like from someone else, or an old record with a cool synth sound or tambourine or whatever, it always sets off a new kind of spark in me. I really feel like I’m just starting to come into my own right now, and I want to share that with people. There’s a lot of producers out there, but not everyone takes the time to LISTEN to what they’re really doing. I’m kind of a nerd when it come’s to audio. I’m a gear head, and I love to engineer and mix records. Taking the time to appreciate the quality of each sound in a mix is what gives a beat it’s own life. That’s what I’m gunning for.

What’s next for you?

I don’t know, man. I’ve made a few connections with cats, but it’s a hard game to get a foot hold in. I’m just trying to get my name out any way I can. I’m fired up about the Rapper Pooh track, though.  Hopefully I’ll be doing more stuff with Halls of Justus, ’cause they’ve been real cool to work with.

Desert Island Hip Hop: If you could only take one record on a deserted island with you, what album would that be?

Jaylib’s “Champion Sound”. I love every second.

Any shout outs or last words?

Thanks for checking me out! Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you like what I’m doing.

• myspace.com/mickeyfreebeats

“Fix”

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“Breakwater”

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“Fever”

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