Los Angeles’ roster is stacked with buzzing new artists from 1TakeJay to Rucci. Who better to put together a project than super-producer Mike Almighty. The L.A.-native has produced for several artists in the city with music dating all the way back to 2009. “My parents had writing credits when I was younger so that’s when I saw that trident,” Almighty remarks about his early influences in music.
The Crenshaw-native has hit records with Cozz (“Bonnie and Clyde”), Correy C (“Foreign Girl”), Rucci (“Light It Up”), and many more. A song is nothing without a good beat and Mike Almighty acknowledges that on his forthcoming release, Flood. “The city knows, but those who don’t know are going to find out from this project,” Mike notes. The album boasts features from many artists that anyone from the outside looking in may not know of.
Mike Almighty recently shared his debut single, “Like This,” featuring two the most prominent artists from Los Angeles. On the West Coast banger, Rucci and BlueBucksClan trade verses about their success and impact. On the song’s opening verse, Rucci can be heard rapping: “Aye, this beat bang, Mike Almighty.” Peep our interview below.
How did you get started in the music industry?
Shout out to my mom and dad, they actually were making music when I was younger. They had writing credits when I was younger so that’s when I saw that trident. From that, I started playing the keyboards. Right around that time was the Jerking movement or whatever, and me and my friends make some songs. The first beat that I gave someone, I don’t want to say it was a hit, but it did pretty well. It’s called “Bad Chick Alert” and made some buzz. From that, a nigga got a deal and started work with Miguel and Cozz. Everything just came from that so shout out to them.
You dropped Free Wifi with Correy C back in 2015, can we expect another joint project between you two?
For sure. Definitely in the works. Me and Correy C got tons of music in the works. We were actually on the phone talking about when we were going to that for the city. A lot of people been hitting us about asking “when is that going to drop?” We’re definitely going to work on that, guaranteed.
Recently, you dropped your debut single, “Like This,” with Rucci and BlueBucksClan. How did that collaboration come about?
I started work with Rucci about two or three years ago. We made songs like “Light It Up,” “Taxi,” and other unreleased songs. That was just a phone call away. BlueBucksClan really started to blow up five, six months ago. As soon as I saw that, I reached out like “yo, come get in the studio. I got some beats for yall.” They tapped back in. It turns out, the first session, Rucci wanted to do a show with them and BlueBucks wanted to do a song with him. What better do it than on a Mike Almighty beat.
Shout out to everybody for making it happen. “Like This” out now on iTunes, Soundcloud, and every other major streaming platform.
How did you come up with the album title Flood? What’s the inspiration behind the entire project?
Well, I came up with the album title based off the Noah story. Really simple. I’m spiritual so when it comes to Noah, i feel like I had a connection with him because of the waves and water. I found somebody I feel like I can relate to in the bible. The story is very self-explanatory. He, I went around, saying “there’s a flood coming.” Not everybody listened to him and not everyone listened to me, and what happened, a flood came. Whoever isn’t on the boat is going to drown.
The inspiration came from my team. They would be like “yo, Mike, you’re a loner. You never come out, but every time you do, it’s a wave.” I had to capitalize off of that.
Who, or what, can we expect on your debut album?
You can expect most of the buzzing artists in the city doing their thing. I don’t want to say too many names because I don’t want it to spoil it. From Rucci to 1TakeJay to AzChike to Petty Petty, and Correy C of course. District Boyz might be on there. Hopefully, Ambjaay, he just responded to my DM a while back.
You can expect comradery. Everyone is in there bag right now, it’s the industry. It seems like with this circle right here in L.A.: District Boyz, Winning Team, Makk & Co., Az Cult. Everybody is just working together and it’s hard to divide right now. Everyone is genuinely fucking with each other. The city knows, but those who don’t know are going to find out from this project.
What’s one thing you’re hoping people will take away from your project?
Like I said, the comradery. I want them to see the teamwork, and if anything, the production. Even though everyone has the rhythm, I want them to see that I brought the sound. I want them to say “Mike did a good job, he actually did an album instead of putting a bunch of artists on a project.” That’s what I want them to take away from the project.
Let’s talk about the state of Los Angeles music culture. There’s Casey Veggies, Cozz, Dom Kennedy, and many more, how would you describe it?
Shit, bro. I would say it’s in the right hands. It’s a lot more artists out here and it’s dope. I feel like the rap scene is very similar to the NBA. Every year, there’s someone different. The top artists are always going to remain the star players, but each year there’s another young nigga doing there thing. It’s just like that. Zion came in, AD got traded. I think everyone just needs to keep working hard to perfect their craft. Whatever team you can find to put you in the right situation, that’s where you need to be.
Dom is kind of older, but at the end of the day, he hasn’t been in the industry very long. That nigga is one of the greatest rappers in Los Angeles. He kind of put a culture vibe on us. I feel like even he knows that it’s in the good hands. It’s eras, but I feel like he has a lot in his bag. In time, it may be someone else. Just like Ambjaay, Blueface, District Boyz, there’s always going to be someone new. It’s time to embrace the next person. Just how they did K. Dot.
Outside of music, what are your goals for this year?
Shit, I’m a dad first. Taking care of my family, putting them in the right position to win. Making sure my family is straight. Other than that, pushing my agenda. I really can’t say outside of music because that’s the base of everything. I’m trying to put Flood on the map and put my team in position.
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