EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MIKE 13

HypeTune.com: What has been your biggest inspiration throughout this whole musical journey?  What helps inspire your compositions/arrangements in film, TV, and your own music?

Mike 13: I have always been inspired by the concept of beginning with an idea in my head and ending up with a fully developed piece of music. Music is unique in that way, it’s one of the only forums in which you can express your emotions, mind, experimental fascinations, and use different instrumentation to build it into something tangaeble.  As far as writing for tv/movies versus writing for myself or other artists, it’s basically all just a matter of format.  Something like True Blood or NCIS only requires about a minute or less of music whereas a full length song for someone like LL Cool J, Izzo, or Wyclef requires actual song formation (intro/verse/bridge/hook, etc.).  Thats really the only difference. I just love making music and challenging myself no matter what or who Im writing for. Some of my coolest compositions have been for NCIS: Los Angeles or True Blood.  Its all music, just different ways of expressing it.

HypeTune.com: What has been your biggest inspiration throughout this whole musical journey?  What helps inspire your compositions/arrangements in film, TV, and your own music?

Mike 13: In my line of work you get to meet a lot of celebrities, from Tom Hanks to Mick Jagger. One of the main things LL has taught me is that I am an artist as well, and although someones accomplishments may be far greater than mine, we are all just people doing something we love.  The hardest part is not being a groupie if you will. I will say this, however, LL Cool J is the most generous, intelligent, talented person I have had the pleasure of meeting, and it is a true blessing to be signed to him.  He is truly a mentor and not only puts me in great situations to succeed, but teaches me the ropes along the way. There have been many times where L’s had to tell me to “chill out baby”, but at the end of every conversation we have I ALWAYS learned something or had part of my mind opened to something it wasnt before.  After all, I mean., 26 years in the business and he’s more relevant now than ever?  Over 40 million sold? Grammys?  When a man like that speaks, you listen.

HypeTune.com: Do you have any advice for musicians currently trying to make a name for themselves?

Mike 13: Yes.  It will sound cliche but NEVER EVER EVER stop working and creating.  There will be times you will want to give up and there will be dark days, but I can tell you first hand that when you put in the countless hours of thankless work and grind endlessly and one day someone actually does take notice and you start to see success there is NO drug, NO woman, NOTHING that can make you feel that good.  Also, surround yourself with people who are honest with you and have your best interest at heart.  Good management is key. I’ve had my share of, not bad, but inexperienced managers and they definitely hurt my progress, but I was blessed enough to fall into the hands of LL Cool J who has the worlds best manager, Claudine Joseph (Violator Mgmt). So, I was lucky in that department because when LL signed me I sort of became a part of her daily routine as well (shes the best, but I can be a pest!)

HypeTune.com: What are your future goals in music?

Mike 13: I only have one goal in music.  It is to continue to create it for anyone and everyone until the day I die. I was put on this earth to do that and it is all I have ever wanted to do, so I’m going to keep on doing it.  Hell, Beethoven was deaf and he created some of the worlds most beautiful music in his 9th symphony.  Who says I cant keep making music until I stop breathing?!?

HypeTune.com: If you could jam with anyone in the industry right now, who would it be?

Mike 13: Easy, Slash.