MIKE Shares New Video For “Crystal Ball”

MIKE has shared a new single "Crystal Ball," the track is off his upcoming LP Disco! The accompanying video, directed by Ryosuke Tanzawa
MIKE "Crystal Ball" Video

MIKE has shared a new single/video “Crystal Ball,” the track is off the artist’s forthcoming release Disco! The accompanying video, directed by Ryosuke Tanzawa, is an NYC classic that sets the tone for the upcoming summer in the city. MIKE rides around the city atop a rented out double decker bus, surrounded by friends with the sun beaming.Disco! will be available on June 21st via MIKE’s own label 10k, and marks the first MIKE release single his album weight of the world which released exactly 1 year prior, on June 21st 2020. “Crystal Ball” follows “Evil Eye” as the second single and video off the album.

Born in New Jersey, MIKE moved to London with his mother before settling in The Bronx for the remainder of his later teenage years. Both regions have had an audible influence on the young rapper’s music – in England he was immersed in grime and the music of King Krule, and in the United States he was turned on to Earl Sweatshirt and MF DOOM. In New York, MIKE connected with several artists who had a similar ear and style, and formed a collective called [sLUms]. Consisting of Adé Hakim, Darryl Johnson, King Carter, Jazz Jodi, and DJ Mason, the group established a unique sound that created waves throughout underground hip hop circles across the country.

In 2017 MIKE released his mixtape May God Bless Your Hustle. The project perfectly captured a singular moment in a city where the only constant is change. With features from Standing on the Corner, Wiki, Mal Devisa, and more, as well as production from Ade Hakim, Tony Seltzer, and Austin Williamson of Onyx Collective, May God Bless Your Hustle was a snapshot of the sound of underground New York rap in 2017. It received a Best New Music review from Pitchfork as MIKE started to gain international attention outside of New York City.

At the end of 2018 MIKE released his album War In My Pen independently, and followed it up in mid 2019 with Tears of Joy, his second album to be selected for Pitchfork’s Best New Music. He released his most recent album, Weight of the World, in 2020. Nearly entirely self-produced, and only containing features from Jadasea and Earl Sweatshirt, it’s one of MIKE’s most introspective and sonically diverse releases to date. MIKE has opened tours for Blood Orange and Earl Sweatshirt, and performed at festivals such as MoMA PS1 Warm Up, Pitchfork Festival, and Capitol Hill Block Party.

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