We recently connected with Mikealis Alan and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Mikealis thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
I have been a songwriter and performing artist for about 20 years now. When first starting out MySpace was the big platform and there was not many other options such as Spotify to really get your music out there and make money from it. I was able to quickly find my niche as a rapper creating songs over underground house music and started playing free shows at house parties around local colleges and began to get booked as an opening act for artist’s such as Action Bronson and Shwayze. Even though I was not getting paid at the moment I was able to become comfortable in front of crowd’s and really fell in love with the energy you get from these type of shows. I began to get sponsorships from large clothing brands and opportunities that enabled me to move to Atlanta, New York City and Los Angeles. Now I wasn’t really making good money at the time but producers and other more established artists would fly me out and want to collab with me which kept my dream alive. This was also a gift and curse because I had gotten this mind set in the back of my head that someone was just going to pick me up one day and change my life forever. After about 8 years of touring around I began to meet many DJ’s who were making a full time living. I quickly started booking gigs as a DJ through my connections I had made from rapping and it opened up so many new doors and made my value as an artist rise. I am now able to make a full time living DJ’n on the weekends and collecting royalties from writing songs for other artists and myself while continuing to open up performing and DJ’n for artists on the road. If I could go back and talk to my younger self I would say to have an open mind on how to utilize all of your talents instead of being so laser focused on one specific way you think your career is going to take shape.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I started writing hiphop songs literally every day in high school with my best friend Don Mimosa. There were a lot of rappers around the area at the time and the typical hiphop shows were not really our scene. We tapped in with our friend groups who consisted of local bands that would let us collab with them and open up at rock shows. . My first tour from NYC to Florida was opening up for the now well established punk rock band “The Wonder Years.” I think every artist has something unique that can set them apart from every one else. The type of shows I have always performed at before I became a DJ were high energy wall to wall packed college parties or punk rock shows where you are in the crowed partying with the people during your set which takes the crowed interaction level to the max. Still to this day I bring the same high level energy and connect with the audience in the same manner like we are all in this experience together. This has helped me continue to gain long lasting friendships and fans who continue to support me week after week at my shows. With each new connection has brought new opportunities and because this is my passion I will never come across as if I am just at an event to get a paycheck. You have to really love what you are doing and understand what kind of experience the crowed of the event is looking to have.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I was so laser focused on wanting to be a “famous rapper” when I first started out that I i didn’t really soak up as much information about different aspects of the industry as quickly as I could. I think its good to know what you want and have goals to get there, however life puts you in every situation for a reason so keep an open mind and one day something you learned along your journey could blossom into a different path you might not have been open to.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part of being an artist for me has to be the journey. Almost every one of my close friendships today are with people I have collaborated with. The unique moments and experiences you get to share in this line of work are rare, exciting and unpredictable. I have been able to travel all over the world, write songs with artist’s I have looked up to, and gain respect from business owners and music enthusiast’s which gives you a feeling that is hard to recreate.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://mikealis.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/mikealis
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/mikealismusic
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/mikealis
- Youtube: http://youtube.com/mikealis
- Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/mikealis
