Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael May.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Michael. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve been making music since as young as 5 years old. From playing clarinet in a school band to self-teaching myself to play other instruments. Music has always been a sort of therapy an escape from the real world. I started off making beats and one day I recorded some things I had written down, got a reaction and from there I started rapping. I created my company Off Da Wall Musiq in January of 2007 to self release my own music on the internet. From recording on a $2 microphone to getting an audio engineering degree to be able to do what I love to do is definitely a blessing. Since then I’ve sold music around the world have millions of streams and fans. From there that helped create my clothing line Amour-Propre which translates to Self-Love.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s definitely been a rough ride. From living on the streets and losing it all to working hard to get it all back. Trying to raise my son and different struggles along the way. But my music is a reflection of me everything I’ve been through I let it all out in the music I make. From failed suicide attempts to breakups and make ups nothing is off-limits.
Please tell us about Off Da Wall Musiq.
Off Da Wall Musiq was created to release all of my music since I was unable to get a record deal. With me and my friends, our goal was to make music we wanted to hear and say whatever was on our minds no matter how controversial. I make all my own production, recording mixing and mastering. From the day I started the goal was always to improve and get better from beats to the lyrics to the way I record. There have been dark times along with the good.
One of my favorite moments was one of my remix songs making it to the VH1 countdown online. Another would be being the only hip hop act to perform at Del Mar fair in 2016. There’s a lot of good times but Del Mar Fair takes the cake. As far as music goes I try to set myself apart by always staying true to the art of rap and just making good quality music and tell stories that everyone can enjoy regardless of age.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My new goals are to A make it to the billboard charts and B get noticed by major labels and radio. I’ve revamped how I approach things and as I got older I’m more conscious of the music I put out.
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