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A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MIKE STREEZY
Born in North Little Rock, AR on July 20th 1982, Michael Strong is an artist that has always known that he was supposed to reach a large number of people to entertain and help them.
“As I was growing up, I always seemed to meet and be extremely close to people going through a lot of pain and extreme situations. They would come and go out of my life, but it always seemed like God put us together at those times. I was goofy and couldn’t stand to see people hurting so I would entertain them to make them more comfortable or to take the edge off. I got really close to quite a few of them, but I always knew the experience was supposed to be bigger than me---that God would use it to help other people through me---I just didn’t know how.”
Today Michael Strong going by the stage moniker, Mike Streezy, uses those experiences and stories to reach out to people who may be hurting to give them hope----using hip hop music!
“That’s where my whole writing philosophy comes from. I want to make songs that people can listen to when they need them whether it be sickness, depression, when they are having relationship troubles or just caught in a spot that they don’t have anyone to listen or care and KNOW somebody else understands. I have just been blessed to have been able to meet so many wonderful people who I’ve witnessed make it through horrible situations and tragic events and I want to bring their stories to the world and let people know that you can beat it and tomorrows another day. What you are going through right now does not define your life. What you decide to do and how you react from this moment right now does and you can make your life anything you want it to be.”
“That’s the definition of Emotiamentalism. Using the instrumentation along with the voice and lyrics –combined- to create music that reaches out to peoples emotions. I want you to see, hear, and feel the story of how human character prevails in a situation that feels hopeless or feel overjoyed by the triumph of the human spirit over tribulations and tests! My voice isn’t the focal point in Emotiamentalism, it’s a combined sensation created when all parts of the music are clicking just right together to put you there. I want you to care and feel like a part of the characters. ”
Mike Streezy does not want to be considered a gangsta, or trapper, or backpacker. He has a much different focus on what he is as an artist and that is largely due to his musical influences.
“When I got serious about writing music and wanting to make it a career I looked at who made it big and who I was still listening to that my parents listened to and my grandparents don’t mind hearing. I came up with the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, and one of my personal favorites Johnny Cash. These are just a few but when I looked further I found that the reason their music is still relevant is because they appeal to the human emotion. There songs are well written, delightfully melodic stories of people dealing with situations we can all relate to whether its happened to us or someone we know. That’s why we still listen. Those songs get attached to times and events that all we had was the music. Sometimes you just want to hear a sad song about breaking up, or someone making a mistake, or an ode to someone that has passed. Nothing else will let you get that emotion out. I want to do THAT! I want to be remembered for making personal and purposeful music that will last---even though it surely not going to get me famous quickly.”
“I want my writing to have meaning. I want to be remembered as a songwriter, not as a person who wrote songs limited on his daily life. I can be more than that.”
The year is 2009 and Mike Streezy has been on the scene for nine years—almost invisible the last six, and out of nowhere he releases his first album Pleasure and Pain with no guest features (other than Devi from Cleveland, OH), no typical southern sounding beats or subject matter, and no network of managers or agents or labelmates to put it in the public eye. Many thought spending every penny he had to start his label and put a cd that “wouldn’t work” in Little Rock out made sense. Many people weren’t Mike Streezy.
“For as long as I’ve really wanted to do music, the people who’s opinions I cared about doubted me. I found out a long time ago that I would have to do this on my own and that no one wanted me to succeed. I have faith its possible. I have faith that I’m on the right path. From that point though, I never allowed myself to rest my destiny on the approval of man. If I want it and sacrifice and remember whose plan is important, God willing I will make it. Nine years have passed, girlfriends have came and went, and potential careers have done the same. Ask many of the people that really know me and I bet they tell you I should have given up a long time ago---but I didn’t! And I won’t! Just give me time!”
There are a ton of musicians that can say the same thing, but Mike Streezy is doing things different. From production, to merchandising, to reaching out to his fans, Mike Streezy has taken a different approach!
“Quality, quality, quality. Everything that I do, I want it to be top notch. The artwork for my album is quite different. Jayvision did an amazing job. I didn’t want to do what independents do and give my fans a cd that was less than what majors are putting in stores, so instead of skimping on the cover, I’ve got a fold out booklet---not a little sheet or two page deal. We shrink wrapped it, mastered it in one of the best mastering audio labs in the country. You are getting professional, major label quality with the freedom of an independents sound with Mike Streezy.”
“Even my shows are different. I wrote the music and handpicked these twelve beats from literally hundreds of options. I wasn’t limited to just the local sound, I searched worldwide making relationships online. So when you come to a Mike Streezy show you are going to be in a different atmosphere. My fans expect more from me from what I’m talking about to how I get it out there. I’ve just started doing shows but I’ve got major plans by the end of August to provide a show like no other in the state. I want to make Little Rock independent music go major by September. Keep an eye out on my website for more on this as all the pieces fall into place and they will fall into place!!!”
Obviously the world wide web has assisted Mike Streezy in making music that had limitless potential for creativity, but now he’s using it to do so much more.
“I’m going the web route. I feel like so many local artists in this whole state –because there are some really talented folks in the A beyond central Arkansas—are being shortchanged by not using the net. I began making my name on the net a year ago playing around on forums. I met some really talented people who just write rhymes and I met some really talented business folks doing what I’m doing. Without venturing beyond the states walls, I wouldn’t be moving in the direction I am or have the options that are becoming available. So if you are a local artist like me and don’t have money to go to New York hit up blogs, join social sites and meet people, talk to them and get to know them . Don’t just send a friend request. That’s why I don’t mess with myspace. Its not personal enough for me.”
“I’m using my website to bring a whole ‘nother level to independent music here in the Rock. It’s mikestreezy.com . Just go to www.mikestreezy.com and you are plugged in to the future. You can contact me almost instantly through my e-mail Monday through Friday. I update it all day long during my work week and I’m trying to offer new approaches that other artists aren’t using. You can download new tracks for free including mixtape tracks with a verse left out that any emcee or singer can add their flavor on. Im putting pictures of the folks at my shows up and letting people know about whats going on with me and the artists in my network via e-mail. Not to mention Im going to be doing some give aways and contests very soon for all the folks signed up for my guestbook and email newsletter. Mike Streezy.com is about more than me as an artist. Its about linking people with similar interests together and giving them access to information they want. Look for upgrades over the next couple of months and daily additions to the content during the work week.”
In a world plagued by a global recession, wars, outbreaks of illnesses and uncertainty of what tomorrow holds, Mike Streezy wants you to rest assured that Little Rock’s first independent making quality product the major way has no intentions of slowing down or stopping anytime soon.
“Today, times are hard. Situations that are popping up across the globe are scary and the media and politicians have only made them more confusing. People are suffering here and abroad. In my short lifetime, I have never seen a time that people need some sort of comfort or security as I’m seeing each day lately. I want to help in that area. I want to help heal wounds with my songs and reach out to people. I’m online and in the community reaching out. Nod Ya Head Entertainment has a very strong business plan that reaches out over the next ten years very extensively. I’m going to be building new ways to get the message out and make it more accessible in the near future by adding online concerts and YouTube attachments to my website, along with the purchase of live performance equipment so I can do shows in places that might not have the equipment including smaller towns and venues all the way to house parties and out of state. In the long term look for dvds, national tours, more artists with a different sound being signed and the offering of all the services independent artists need that a major would normally provide from booking assistance and promotion, to marketing and production. Nod Ya Head is going to be a movement. It just takes time. As far as me as an artist, the live show is going to be enhanced dramatically soon! I’m also in the works of starting a new rap/rock band with my buddies in the Crisco Kids to deliver a whole ‘nother type of sound to the scene. Those guys rock and I think what we will bring to the world will be very beneficial music wise. The next year is gonna be crazy. I just keep getting all these awesome ideas and I’m proving day by day that I will make them happen. I’m more than talk---I’m the future!”
