We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michael May. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michael below.

Alright, Michael thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

Most definitely I feel misunderstood in overall life, especially with the music I make. 9 times out of 10 most of my music comes from things I’ve been through or seen not necessarily the person I am. I will never sit and say everything was always sunshine’s and rainbows so my art sometimes comes from a hurt place even though I’m happy in life now some people cannot understand that.

A few years back I had a relationship go sour because of my songs. It was a song titled “No Filter”. After she heard that song she went an listened to others and tried to paint me as a negative angry person. She called me one day and said ” So I think we should see other people because your angry in your music”. I personally thought it was funny. I see it as an actor playing a roll in a movie, you take a little bit of truth and make it entertaining for the masses. I personally see this happened because those not in an artistic field cannot differentiate between the art be portrayed and the artist who painted the picture. That was one of the moments I learned that not everyone will understand you or even try to. Making music rather its producing, writing, or recording is all a part of what makes Michael Michael and I learned I will never sacrifice any part of who I am for anyone. I tend to isolate myself more for better or worst to keep anyone from getting close to try and figure me out. I bleed music and after so many years of being misunderstood and mischaracterized because of it honestly made me a better artist and more aware what I put out. Not allot of people when they listen to music want to hear the dark side of reality they want to dance and feel good which is ok.

There was a point where I went down a rabbit hole of going out of my way to not upset anyone with my music and to paint the notion that Meidai is not the bad guy. You learn real quick that your no longer being yourself and that was a period of time where ill admit my music sucked. I reverted back to being my genuine self regardless of who I upset. At the end of the day you dont have to press play.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have been making music since before I could walk I would say. As far back as I could remember I used to have this little yellow notebook and re-write the theme songs to my favorite WWE wrestlers as they came out to the ring. I spent allot of time at home in my room so I would always write to songs on the radio acapellas anything to try and get better even if what I was writing did not make sense at the time.

I used to play clarinet in an elementary school band and from there is how I learned to read music and develop different sounds. I’ve always isolated myself so playing different instruments listening to different types of music was a way of escape. Ive always been influenced by different artist spread across many genres.
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Tupac, Eminem, Jayz, Metalica, U2. Missy Elliott, Dmx, E-40, The Temptations Marvin Gaye, Big L, Lil Wayne just to name a few are some of the artist the ive always looked up to, to better myself as an artist. If you ever listen to what I put out or produce or even when working with other artist you can hear the inspiration.

Fast forward to high school I would start doing cyphers in around Helix High school and then at My Miguel after freshman year is when I started to develop my style and sound. Networking with others and during that time it was all about music. Regardless of how it would sound or come out all I ever wanted to do was create and saved up for a microphone and computer to do so. My first tape was called Destin 2 Shine which only about 100 copies pressed up and passed out around school.

After high school is when I started to get noticed. During that time my son was born when I was 19 and it pushed me to figure out what I was doing with my life. I started performing at local spots and doing any and all I can to generate a buzz.

I always had this goal of being the best, who would do something if the goal is not to be the best at his or her craft. I attended Grossmont College so that I could be certified as an engineer. My vision was that I would keep my hands into any and all music and wanted to learn all aspects from pre production to production to post production. I created Off Da Wall Musiq to release my music online.

Off Da Wall Musiq over the years has built a good reputation for quality music. Off Da Wall Musiq is my safer place, my baby as they say. I’ve0 released music for myself and others ive worked with artist from all over the world and continuing to build a brand for myself. With that being said I also have my own studio here in San Diego where other artist will come to record as well.. Along with recording I can assist an artist in developing his/her sound, beat production, engineering and mastering. Rather its for myself or another artist I will always go above and beyond from start to finish until it sounds perfect. Even after a song is mixed mastered and completed I find myself going back to the pro-tools sessions to see what if anything I could have done different.

If I had to say what sets me apart from others would be my work ethic. My attention to detail. My genuine love for the art. Hip-hop can take many forms my focus has always and will be lyrical ability, hard beats, tight knit production. If anyone ever comes to me for a feature, a beat, or to record it will always be done at my highest caliber or I don’t do it. Over the years I’ve worked with everyone from indie to majors and the approach has always been the same. Which is what is the end game, what direction are we taking. And above all else. Does it sound good.

Nothing is ever perfect I’ve had many setbacks over the years. From losing files to fallouts with friends. I think the biggest lessons would happen in 2015. I performed at Del Mar Fair. I was performing from San Diego to L.A. But as fate would have it depression hits and your craft takes a toll. Your abilities go downhill and venues stop calling. Most people would quit but I kept grinding and working hard to gain back and then some what I had lost. The music industry is 20% talent 20% who you know and 60% business. So I took time to learn the business, From marketing to promotion. Networking and the little tidbits you do not hear about. For example. Copyrights, clearances, publishing rights, mechanical royalties and all the behind the scenes work most people do not know about.

At this stage in my life soon to be 34 years old this year and creating music for over 20 years, when I look back I’m proud of the growth as an artist a father a business man and overall creative. My focus going forward is to continue pushing myself and those around me to our highest potential. I was blessed with a gift that comes naturally that many people have to work hard at. So nothing is ever taken for granted. I’m extremely blessed and grateful to be able to do what I love to do that many people around the world enjoy. To say I have fans that write me, keep me on repeat and follow me is weird to me sometimes. Because to me im just doing what I love to do without recognition but the fact I can inspire others with my story and the things ive been through is a good feeling.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

The biggest misunderstanding in my opinion would be that some people have a hard time separating the artist from the art. On one end I’m fully aware that my music is really personal and allot of me goes into almost all of my songs and there are some out there who think I am that person they hear thorough their headphones. From friendships to family to my relationships there’s always that struggle of explaining certain lyrics. I may have been happy on some songs or going through something. In some cases just telling a story. No one is just one thing. I will give the world the happy, sad, good times and bad of my life given that some lyrics are exaggerated for the purpose of either telling a story or getting a point across.

For me personally I’ve been creating most of my life and I put it all into my art. The journey is not always a happy one. You may think an artist is new but like in my case I’ve been doing this for over 20 years. I did not sign my distribution deal until 2016 when I was 27. Im 33 now. To me I still have much to accomplish. Anyone reading this I would tell them do not believe everything you hear. Ask questions about why certain things were said the way they were. Maybe it was a rhyming scheme or to make certain words rhyme with others. Some things may be true. Its like Denzell acting in a movie he is not really the bad guy like in Training Day he’s just acting out a role. Same with music I’m not this angry jerk whos heartless, I’m just expressing how I felt during certain moments.

To my fellow artist and creatives out there, keep doing you. Do not sacrifice yourself for anyone’s approval. I promise you, you will not please everyone and you will drive yourself crazy trying to do so. Just be your authentic genuine self and those meant to be around you will and remember no one will understand you, your story, or your journey and thats ok. Does not mean they cannot appreciate it.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned or one of the many I would say is don’t quit. Don’t give up and never stop. When I gave up or thought I was giving up and stopped caring that’s when others started to notice and care about my art. around 2019 I basically said I give up. Relationship issues, money issues, work stuff life and depression. It makes you not care anymore. Instead of channeling that energy and emotion into my art. I learned to keep pushing keep grinding and never stop. I realized I’m blessed to be in my position that many people would want my spot. At the same time going through all of that at the exact same time made me appreciate everything I have way more. Because when you quit your not just giving up on yourself but everything you worked hard for so many years on.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.officialmeidai.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/officialmeidai
• Facebook: facebook.com/officialmeidai
• Twitter: twitter.com/officialmeidai
• Youtube: youtube.com/offdawallmusiq

Image Credits
All images taken and or owned by Myself