There are artists who’ve got something, and there are artists who’ve got it, and upon hearing his voice for the first time, it’s obvious that Kevin Michael is firmly in the latter category. With an irresistible blend of soul, funk, r&b and pop, he invokes greats from the past while bringing something totally new to the game - he honors the roots of r&b while imagining it anew.
Growing up, Kevin heard the music within, and he began recording as a teen. “At 16, I wrote my first song,” he recalls. “I woke up in the studio one night and something literally clicked in my head! I really heard it, so I said, ‘I better write this down.’ For Kevin, music was the only option worth considering. He recounts, “I had the offer of a full scholarship to Hofstra, but I never seriously thought about it. I feel real strongly about doing what it is you want to do.”
Kevin Michael’s YaDig? EP, available only on Itunes, is an introduction to Kevin’s unique sound and style in advance of his album release on October 2, 2007. “We All Want The Same Thing” is included in two ways: the hip-hop inflected version featuring Lupe Fiasco, and the stripped-down acoustic style featuring guitarist and beatboxer Akil Dasan, who also also appears on the acoustic versions of “Vicki Secrets” and “It Don’t Make Any Difference To Me” featured on the EP.
“We All Want The Same Thing,” the EP’s opener, is both a statement of purpose and roots for the artist who lived in worlds both black and white (“All my gangster friends/and all my skater friends/We all want the same thing/DJ’s in the clubs/Jesus freaks and thugs/We all want the same things”).
“Vicki Secrets” showcases Kevin’s falsetto, and proves him as a singer with considerable sex appeal who knows how to communicate to the ladies. And then there’s Kevin’s ode to Michael Jackson, “Stone Cold Killa,” which weaves a Latin percussive feel with snappy pop phrasing and layered vocal harmonies to conjure up a world of good times, beautiful women and smiles on the dance floor.
“It Don’t Make Any Difference To Me” shows both the range of Kevin’s songwriting abilities and the depth of his pride in who he is (“All you gotta do is look at me/Three generations of my family you see/People treat you different/When you’re in between/He was black and she was white/You know that most people thought that it wasn’t right/I can still remember what she used to say/It don’t make any difference to me”). The song combines an irresistible pop feel with poignant lyrics, and what emerges is a trans-racial modern day anthem. The album version of the song was produced by and featuring Wyclef Jean, bringing a Caribbean flavor to the mix.
“I don’t know where I begin and the music stops,” Kevin professes. With a stunning debut ready to be unleashed upon an unsuspecting music public, this young man brimming with soul and confidence is ready to take his vision on the road and to the next level.
Kevin on Spinner.com's The DL: Who Is Kevin Michael?
"It Don't Make Any Difference To Me" (One Love) feat. Wyclef Jean
"It Don't Make Any Difference To Me" (Acoustic feat. Akil Dasan)
Where was your album when I was growing up a poor, biracial, 5 foot 10 inches tall, skronny, and confused teen??? LOL Keep up the great music! Love the album.
I kept you on the Ipod through my whole time In europe and Letting everyone know about you at my University in Granada, Spain bro real talk they love you man
You have beyond my support man.. Hope to meet you at one of these various award shows dwn here in LA soon bro.. Keep it up and check my blog site about my trip anthonycameraboy. blogspot. com and some of my photography at myspace. com/cameraboy06
Come check out my music guys my album will be ready in about two weeks! I'm a singer/songwriter and my music is a mix of soul, r&b, jazz with hip hop beats!
Saw you this morning on the 10 show! You got it goin on, brother! I'm singing at the Rotunda on Walnut in Philly on the 23rd. Wanna come jam with me? :) For real, tho, your sound is fresh - would love to come see you live sometime. 1 love, friend, best.
DATE:October 4th, 2008 Location:2201 E. Castor ave. (Philadelphia, P.A.) 19134
Time:Doors Open at 7pm Music By: Celeb. DJ DIAMOND KUTS
TICKETS:$20 AND ARE SOLD AT DR. DENIM ON SOUTH ST.(INCLUDES AFTER-PARTY) FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE SHOW, SPONSORSHIP, VENDING OR HOW TO GET TICKETS SEND ME A NOTE!!!
CHECK OUT THIS INTERVIEW FOR A SNEAK PEEK OF THE SHOW
1824, a mental man was shipped all around to different asylums. a year later, he was in the showers and skinned a man (elbert simon)and slipred his flesh dry. they had to put him to sleep. they asked if he had one last request and he said yes. he went to the bathroom and carved 666 on his forehead. they gave him the shock treatment.since yu read this, he is going to come to your house in 6 hours and 66 seconds to skin you dry. you can make him go away by posting this 3 times