Mykii J “Kicking down industry doors and building his own seat at the table.”

What’s your name, artist name, and where are you from?

My name is Michael B. Carroll Jr., however, I am known professionally as Mykii J. I was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, more specifically, north Philadelphia. My family and I have lived in the Philadelphia/New Jersey area ever since.

What makes you different as a person and as an artist?

I am a Black, openly pansexual, male singer/rapper, which I don’t think has been represented enough, especially in the realm of hip-hop. I believe that my incorporation into the rap game if done successfully, could break down barriers for others like me who are considered “different” in an industry dominated by homogeneity. My music is for all those eclectics out there who aren’t afraid to be authentically themselves, no matter what people say or think about them. I believe that each of us has a hidden gift, and it wasn’t until 2018 that I found mine. Now, I make music for all those unafraid to be different. I make music for the uniquely gifted, for the so-called “mutants.”

What do you want to accomplish in life?

I want to be able to wake up every day and feel happy about the work that I am doing. I think everyone wants that. To pursue what it is that I am most passionate about, which is music, and being successful at it. Of course, the definition of success is different for everyone. For me, success is being able to have a positive and uplifting effect on as many people as possible while also being able to sustain a good quality of life for myself and my loved ones. I would also like to make a significant difference in the realm of humanitarian work. I’m not exactly sure about the capacity in which I’ll be making a difference, but all of these combined would equal success to me and are all things I would like to accomplish.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I see myself touring and doing what I love most, which is creating music and inspiring people to feel confident and to be their best selves. Hopefully, I will be residing in LA as an established artist and will have at least 1-2 albums under my belt along with a platform to further display my talent. I want to launch my very own record label so that I can scout new talent and give aspiring artists a platform, one that will hopefully be given to me one day soon. I see myself collaborating with some of my favorite artists and producers, such as Nicki Minaj, Timbaland, Lil Wayne, Solange, Frank Ocean, and Santigold.

What do you bring to the music world?

I have always loved music and singing. I joined the school choir back in middle school. However, it wasn’t until 2020 that I realized I could rap. It all began in 2018 when I started writing and publishing poetry. The process of writing poetry was therapeutic for me. It provided me with an outlet and the platform to be vulnerable for the first time in my life. I published my first chapbook of poetry, “The Dichotomy Between Light and Dark,” back in 2019. My first full-length collection of poetry, “Songs of an Indomitable Spirit,” was released in August of 2020. Ever since high school, I’ve had an affinity for words, their sounds, and their associated rhythms. I have been able to harness and channel that into my poetry, and now my music. What I believe I have to offer to the music world is a unique take on songwriting and performance. My experience and passion for writing poetry will lend itself perfectly to my craft, allowing me to create music that is exciting, versatile, and appealing to various demographics.

What legacy do you want to leave behind?

I want people to remember me as an artist who never compromised who he was, nor the integrity of his music. Whether I am singing or rapping, I want to be remembered as a real lyricist. A pioneer. A visionary. I want to be able to provide my fans with new lyrical meaning every time they listen to one of my verses. I want to be thought of as one of the artists who provided insightful metaphors, unique punchlines, and a slew of notable double-entendres in his music. That is something that many of my favorite artists/rappers have done and are continuing to do in their music. I hope to create music that will move people for generations to come.

Email/Social Media Handles:

Email: [email protected]

IG: @sirdukeofwagadu

TikTok: @mykiij

Youtube: Mykii J

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvgBVBPBC9AhE7Riav_gwGw

Twitter: @mykiijmusic

Facebook: @sirdukeofwagadu