Mike Taylor is an artist. He doesn’t like to be labeled as part of the electronic or hip-hop or soul, or any other scene.
Mike Taylor is an artist. He doesn’t like to be labeled as part of the electronic or hip-hop or soul, or any other scene.
Taylor’s sound is eclectic and influenced by the sounds he knows best and mean the most to him.
Growing up in Philadelphia, music was part of his life at a young age. His father was a jazz musician, and Taylor spent his young life developing his musical talents. He started performing in all facets of musical groups from hip-hop to jazz to rock. Taylor also took part in a theatre dance company.
Then he started throwing and promoting parties around Philadelphia to showcase the talent the city had to offer. From this came a growing fan base, and a distinct grassroots driven sound with progressive roots.
“It tends to be grounded in nostalgic things, what I grew up loving as a kid. It’s a hybrid between soulful pop music and electronic music,” Taylor said of his music.
These parties helped Taylor get national exposure and invites to larger stages, this summer he performed at the Firefly Festival in Dover, DE, and most recently, he was part of Diplo’s Touring Mad Decent Block Party in Norfolk, VA.
Taylor loves being able to win over a new fan base, and has learned how to make his sets specific to the venue he’s playing. “I know what to lean towards in every situation. I think doing what I do I can blend a lot of stuff and fit in.” Taylor adds, “I also rap, I started as a rapper. I can do hip-hop shows or tour with other DJ’s or perform with a live band and tour with other rock bands.”
Taylor likes to highlight his rap skills, and with his background in hip-hop he takes you on a genre twisting adventure.
One of Taylor’s biggest influences are The Roots. “All of us in the band, in more ways than one, are connected to them. We know them, and we grew up around them,” Taylor says. Overall he’s an admirer of artists who break new ground and aren’t afraid to provoke your mind.
Taylor loves playing the festival circuit, and with more shows growing, he can hardly believe how it happened. “It’s the artist’s dream, as cliche as it might sound, that one day it’s gonna be me, the grind never stops.” Taylor has worked very hard for his current success and knows of only one way to have made it all happen. “It’s hard to do anything. Everything’s a hustle. If you want to do it correctly and you want to end up where you see yourself you have to work hard,” Taylor adds, “Everything these days is DIY so you really have to do it yourself.”
Taylor wants everyone to be inspired by his shows, and aims to unite the audience and the performer in an electric atmosphere. He is very passionate when it comes to taking things a step further and raising the bar in his industry. “I don’t tailor what I’m doing around what’s happening,” Taylor says. “I’m aware of what’s around me. I stay in my lane. I think people are more interested when you stay true to that. You just need to do you and the world will come to it at some point.”
Taylor is currently working on his own EP, and has an EP out with DJ Vice called “World Is Our Playground.” The album boasts remixes from some other well-known DJ’s including DJ Jazzy Jeff. “I’m from West Philly so it was exciting to have him do a remix,” Taylor says.
Taylor continues to make ground breaking music styles to uplift and inspire his fans. His unique perspective to his art creates a world that everyone can be invited into and let their inhibitions go. His smart lyrics and infectious melodies will leave you wanting more whether it’s for the duration of a song or the feeling that you take with you after a live show.
