Not much needs to be said about Mike the Martyr. A quick Google search for his name will yield a shit-ton of results. Needless to say the man is making moves locally and nationally.
He lives here: Lake Street Store
But what about the tunes? Simply put, it's like a home cooked meal.
He lives here: Lake Street Store
But what about the tunes? Simply put, it's like a home cooked meal.
A quick breeze through his Soundcloud page and you almost immediately hear what I'm referring to. He contains the ability to mold those organic, soulful samples into the beats that painted my earliest Hip-Hop dreams. Thumping drums, vocal samples wrapped around pianos, flutes, guitars, saxophones and organic melodies. It's soul-food for your ear. This is the sound that made me fall in love with hip-hop, it's the wisdom of the ancients refreshed by a new pair of ears. The drums are dirty, the bass is full and the head-nod is on full-automatic. One of my favorites off of Lake Street Bar 3 - "09 September 23"
Instrumentals like this sort of hug you, it feels a bit cold like Minnesota which he proudly reps so well, yet warm like the Street he constantly pulls from. Headphones on and drift out.
Lake Street Store: Over The Counter
His latest effort finds himself splitting production with a few others, along with microphone time. His flow fits perfectly with his production. They are mirror images; smooth, clever and unpolished to perfection. I don't mean unpolished like it's lazy, or unclear - I mean unpolished like a blues solo, like a groove, it's hypnotic. He managed to get a few local MC's to step a hair out of their comfort zone, specifically Prof on East Lake.
I find some of his best work is when he's alone rocking over his own production - Different Stages.
One of the best parts of all of this awesomeness? It's free - just click and throw it in your headphones while you move through the city, Mike dishes out a perfect soundtrack. I really enjoy the flip up on Lake Street Lauryn - Also can't complain with the Lauryn Hill sample.
I find some of his best work is when he's alone rocking over his own production - Different Stages.
One of the best parts of all of this awesomeness? It's free - just click and throw it in your headphones while you move through the city, Mike dishes out a perfect soundtrack. I really enjoy the flip up on Lake Street Lauryn - Also can't complain with the Lauryn Hill sample.
