Vibe.com, January 19th, 2006
The born-and-bred Chicago rapper (nè Michael Malinowski) caught the rap bug at the tender age of 14. At 17, he took out a loan and created a studio space at home in order to avoid high production costs.
With influences ranging from The Fugees to Nirvana, Mic One has found a unique niche in hip hop that has helped him produce his own music, play his own instruments, and put on live performances comparable to Common and Kanye West. it’s simply an amazing experience. “My live show is what makes me,” says Mic One, who recently shot a promotional video for Yahoo.com’s urban music page.
With a fan-base growing throughout the Midwest, Mic One is well on his way to becoming a household name. But he admits that as a white rapper, and because of his style and influences, his mainstream musical marketability has puzzled many. “Trying to put me in a category has been my kryptonite. But, I’m trying to make my own category,” he says as he huffs into the phone after exiting the gym from a hefty work out. “I can do a nirvana set in the middle of a hip hop show and people will go wild.”
One such person who can appreciate that type of innovative showmanship is Chicago DJ, Risky Bizzness, whose production team, Risky Bizzness and The Molemen
, crafted more than a few tracks for One. “I honestly feel lucky to work with him because he’s a natural talent,” says Risky. “The kid blows me away.”
As with any underground MC, Mic One is on the grind for that number one spot and major-label backing. “I definitely want to take [my music] to a higher level. One day, I’d like to be able to sample myself…” Until then, he plans to keep making music, repping Chicago to the fullest, and keeping it clean…at the car wash.
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