by Minister of Information JR
Many of y’all have seen Mike Flo at work with the rap group dead prez. Charismatic, eclectic, funny and good-natured are some of the brotha’s attributes, as well as being a lyricist in his own right. He has a mixtape that can be downloaded for free called “Fly, Fresh and Responsible” hosted by M1 of dead prez. Make sure you get it. This brotha is definitely a conscious talent that needs to be heard by more in the Black and Brown world. Check out this exclusive Q&A wit’ Mike Flo …
M.O.I. JR: When did you fall in love wit’ Hip Hop?
Mike Flo: I fell in love with Hip Hop when I first heard BDP, XClan, Too Short and NWA back when I was in grade school.
M.O.I. JR: How did you hook up with the legendary rap group dead prez?
Mike Flo: I met M1 in Chicago around 2000 doing community work with the National People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement and specifically surrounding Chairman Fred Hampton Jr.’s release from behind enemy lines. I subsequently met stic.man soon afterwards in Brooklyn and from there our families remained close and over time I ended up DJing for dead prez since I was already DJing in Chicago and Atlanta. I’ve also done domestic and international merchandising for and with the group. Today I serve as DJ, A&R and overall quality control comrade, if I can say that.
M.O.I. JR: Can you tell us about your free mixtape, “Fly, Fresh and Responsible”?
Mike Flo: “Fly, Fresh and Responsible” is my current project, which is available on mikeflomusic.com and can be described as exactly what the title suggests … to be Fly, Fresh AND Responsible. The “AND” is key here because our obligation to our prosperity, balance and our duty as working class global citizens should always keep us responsible for the things that really matter, often trumping music. It’s more than OK to be fly and fresh, but overlooking my many pertinent roles is never an option at the expense of some music.
M.O.I. JR: Why is this mixtape free?
Mike Flo: It’s free because it is my offering to my ancestors and to the people overall. Fans mean more to me than dollars, at this juncture of my career. Don’t get me wrong: Eating is necessary, but I make music, so that’s not the hard part.
The people just deserve more balance and I want the people to receive my offering. I’ll get money – soon come, soon come – I’d rather fans and promoters book me for my wonderful and exciting show. I’ll get money that way. But if the music is good, then the people will get the music somehow anyway, and that’s a good thing. I want people to have my music.
M.O.I. JR: You have a crazy amount of tattoos. What made you get all that body art?
Mike Flo: My tattoos are strictly an affirmation for me to remind me of the things that are important to me. Period. I know pop culture really shapes why people do things sometimes, but for me and tattoos, it’s simply about the affirmation.
M.O.I. JR: What is next for you?
Mike Flo: More music is ahead for me. More travel. More growth as a man and artist. More collaborations definitely. Look out for my project with Ekundayo entitled, “Alive & Well.” It’s super dope and refreshing. I have Chakra Zulu coming up with producer Lex Boogie from the Bronx.
I have a jazz LP in the works. I also have an “Ode to Marvin Gaye” LP I’m working on. Just a lot of creation basically.
M.O.I. JR: One of my favorite songs that you made is the one where you say, “No white man should have all of that power.” What is the concept behind this song, which remixes what the pig in “Malcolm X,” the movie, said about Malcolm’s effect on Black people.
Mike Flo: Interesting that you should remember that scene. It’s just a flip of Kanye’s “Power” song. It’s a takeover. I thought that song could’ve said so much more so I took it upon myself to provide the option. I think it came out good too.
M.O.I. JR: What do you do on Mikeflomusic.com?
Mike Flo: On mikeflomusic.com, I just share what I like, whether that’s mikeflo music, videos, other artists I like, song leaks and free downloads, or news and info of the Afrikan Diaspora.
M.O.I. JR: Where is your favorite place on the globe to perform? Why?
Mike Flo: Although we’ve been many places, my favorite place to perform is the Bay Area in the United States because of the amount of Afrikans that often show up and the rider spirit that comes with it, from a historical and current perspective.
M.O.I. JR: How do people keep up with you?
Mike Flo: You can reach me and add on to our movement at www.mikeflomusic.com and Twitter: mikefloRBG. Those who know my phone number and email address etc. already know how to contact me. I’m on Facebook (/mikefloRBG) and all that stuff too.
Email POCC Minister of Information JR, Bay View associate editor, at blockreportradio@gmail.com and visit www.blockreportradio.com.