Exclusive | Mike Crump Talks the Release of His Latest Project 'Love Jones'
“My music comes from the soul, I love making music and would do it for free. This is history in the making, don’t miss it.”
By: Omar Cook
This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Philly rapper, Mike Crump! Mike Crump has such a unique flow, that you know exactly who it is when he steps on the mic. He brings a CyHi The Prince feel to his tracks but still has his own flow. His latest project “Love Jones” is full of some dope R&B samples and is definitely a project that should be in your playlist. Mike Crump has been making music for a minute, but still remains under the radar and is continuously evolving from project to project. Check out this artist and be on the lookout for this up and coming artist!
Mike Crump - DON'T SAY MY NAME/YOU NEED ME
We talked with Mike Crump in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
QUESTION: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING MUSIC AND HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
Mike Crump: I been making music for about 6 years and it was something I always wanted to do but just wasn't confident enough. Until one day I just went for it and I never looked back.
QUESTION: MUSICALLY, WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN HELPING YOU ALONG YOUR JOURNEY AND WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE MUSICIANS?
Mike Crump: I'm never really influenced by just a single artist. I appreciate the art form so whenever I hear something great, I'm inspired no matter who the artist is. Now my favorites are Nas, J Cole, Kendrick, Drake, and Loaded Lux.
QUESTION: WHAT ARTISTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH AND WHY?
Mike Crump: Well of course my favorites but outside of that I would love to work with whoever I feel sounds great with me or on the project I'm working on. The feeling of my music always changes so God only knows who I would call on.
QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS YOUR BEST SONG EVER RELEASED AND WHY?
Mike Crump: My best project is Love Jones because it’s my latest project lol. But seriously it has an authentic feeling and doesn't sound like anything you have heard. Hip Hop always has a wave and no matter what, I stay true to myself. I think people find it refreshing.
MIKE CRUMP - WHO ARE YOU
QUESTION: WHAT PROJECTS CAN WE LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE FUTURE?
Mike Crump: I'm working on a project that will be coming out really soon. I don't have a title just yet but it’s on the horizon. I'm taking my time so it will be well crafted. Follow my Instagram to check out some snippets @mikecrump4k.
QUESTION: HOW DO YOU GENERATE NEW IDEAS FOR YOUR MUSIC?
Mike Crump: It just flows naturally, I'm always thinking and working on being the best artist I can be. Practice allows me to keep my skills sharp so coming up with new material is easy.
QUESTION: WHAT MOTIVATES YOU AND HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
Mike Crump: I want to be the best its that simple but also the best version of my self, If that doesn't motivate you nothing will. I define success by the work someone puts it, money awards and record sales just feed your ego, I need none of that because I know who I am.
QUESTION: HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC TO PEOPLE?
Mike Crump: Someone once told me I had to pick a lane and you know what, I don't. My music sounds like me and that's unique and driven by the heart. To know what I sound like is to know me and I'm a complicated person. That's my way of saying I'm not sure yet because just like myself I'm not done discovering who I am. That easily separates me because there is no other person like me.
QUESTION: DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS A FORMULA TO BEING A SUCCESSFUL ARTIST?
Mike Crump: I don't, I think everybody has their own unique path. What works for you might work for me or it might not.
QUESTION: WHO IS YOUR GREATEST INSPIRATION?
Mike Crump: I love seeing people come from where I come from and make it out. It gives me hope that one day I will do the same. Success is viewed different by so many people but in my eyes it’s Nas. To stay true to your roots while also growing and changing in a world where cash and accolades rules all is special to me.
QUESTION: WHICH EMOTION MORE THAN ANY OTHER, CURRENTLY DOMINATES YOUR MUSIC? JOY, SADNESS, ANGER OR PASSION ETC. , AND WHY?
Mike Crump: Passion simply because that's what drives me. I love hip hop and passion is what keeps me going, you can hear it in my music.
QUESTION: WHAT SACRIFICES HAVE YOU HAD TO MAKE, TO MAKE YOUR DREAM A REALITY?
Mike Crump: Man I lost friends, relationships, family you name it. All to keep the dream alive. I have to live my life and that's what I want to do.
QUESTION: WHAT ASPECT OF THE MUSIC MAKING PROCESS EXCITES YOU MOST, AND WHAT ASPECT DISCOURAGES YOU THE MOST?
Mike Crump: I love recording a track, and being so surprised how it came out. When you make something extraordinary, that's the best feeling in the world. I hate the business side of music, completely necessary and I get it. That's just not why I got into this.
QUESTION: WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AND YOUR MUSIC IN 10 YEARS?
Mike Crump: I could say on top but that doesn't mean as much to me as it did in the past. In 10 years I hope to still be doing what I love and I want to look back and be proud of what I have done.
QUESTION: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER UP AND COMING ARTISTS OR PEOPLE LOOKING TO BREAK INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
Mike Crump: Follow your heart, don't worry about doing everything right. If your heart is in the right place everything will work itself out.
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