released: january 31, 2025

from: new york, usa

genre: hip-hop

label: 10k

a few thoughts: mike’s music has always evoked a feeling of warmth and comfort. even as he continues to navigate through his own grief and troubles, as well as successes and revelations that he’s learnt from, there’s a real grounding feeling that he conveys through muffled and off-kilter soul samples, his production has always been striking and beautifully complementary to his ongoing introspections. showbiz! is his latest offering, a 24 track album that stands as one of his most intimate and poignant releases to date. his sense and feeling of home and how that’s changed over the years is beautifully told throughout the album, as he navigates through these gorgeous soundscapes. on the beautifully reflective opener “bear trap”, he contemplates “it pains me, god, i drift, there’s no remorse left / but i guess you bound to hate to shit that you was force-fed / that sour taste, bitter, how i mourn best / i’m down to take a trip, but i’m a tour vet”. his music has always revolved around the love of his late mother, and someone he holds incredibly dear to his heart. home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling, it’s comfort, it’s a warm embrace. when that suddenly leaves you, you’re left to redefine and rediscover what that is, and mike has been doing that consistently throughout his music for years. the gorgeous soul sample on “then we could be free” is incredible, while he reflects on his struggles and coping mechanisms for his pain. “watered down” has this wild vocal flip, and emphatic rhymes about authenticity, how this has enabled himself to reach a level of success for himself that he can enjoy and indulge in. the crazy sample on “artist of the century” sees him tackle his own debaucherous thoughts contradictions about wanting to free his people while simultaneously fighting for his own personal freedom. there’s a real self-awareness about this, confronting it head first in a way that is refreshing and important. “what u bouta do?/a star was born” featuring 454 is an incredible track too, with a sublime beat co-produced with anysia kim. on it, he encourages us to find our purpose and be active and intentional with what we do, who we are and what energy we invite to the world, as 454 reflects on how being true to yourself as others look to take advantage and exploit your story is the only way to keep your truth and energy alive. the gorgeous “you’re the only one watching” is one of my favourites for its beat and incredibly introspective raps, and a sweet sample of his mother talking about her love for him. mike’s flow on “lucky” is so cold, while “pieces of a dream” is such a catchy, emphatic track, where he reminds us that he ain’t sober yet and still working through shit. “strange feeling” has this incredible groove and funky energy to it, another standout, with some incredible bars – “the jump rope of life I’m tryin’ to skip, i got to jump more / i put my life into this shit, it’s only one go”. no shortcuts, dealing with problems head first is the way to go. the disorienting “zombies pt.2” is a short, experimental cut that’s another highlight, while the smooth, emotive “burning house” is a reflective track, while mike’s emphatic and heightened energy on “showbiz (intro)” is lively, over a jazzy sample that makes for an emotive and powerful cut. “miss u” featuring duendita is gorgeous, with her sensual vocals providing a well needed delicate energy to the track. “when it rains” is another bouncy, introspective track where he mulls over his own emotions again, being unapologetic about the person and artist he is, and is a perfect way to round off the album. “diamond dancing (broke)” is a hypnotic instrumental cuts that closes the album beautifully. mike’s showbiz! is another masterpiece, a sonic shapeshifting project that sees him embrace all of him while simultaneously building a better world for himself and his family. it’s a powerful and intimate door to his world, and one that is thus far, my favourite album this year.

the album: