iCON the Mic King is not a movement. No one man is. Instead, he is the catalyst for a crusade much bigger than himself. A Renaissance is approaching. It’s a Renaissance linked to a culture that spans over a quarter century’s time. A generational art form, that rose to prominence in a well-documented creative surge in the late 80’s. A culture that achieved economic importance in the trend-minded upswing of hip hop’s popularity in the mid to late 90’s. A culture that turned inward as it subsequently collapsed upon itself, growing too big to support the rapidly swelling ecosystem. In a staggered genre that has arguably seen it’s glory days come and go, there has risen an enigmatic figure that will lead us into yet another age of artistic prosperity. Allow me to show you the many sides of the lyrical Rubik’s Cube that is iCON the Mic King.
On a balmy late August night Michael King took his first breaths in the maternity ward of the Pennsylvania Hospital. He would be the first grandson born to either side of his family. Declared the “the chosen one” by his great grandmother who, living to be 104 years old, proved to be as resilient as she was wise.
iCON’s status as one of the chosen would be tested in numerous ways as the years carried forward. Even death made an unexpected attempt. At the age of six, Michael King, having no concept of mortality, was involved in a life altering car accident that threatened to take him away from the world before he came to realize his purpose.
On a rain soaked night in Philadelphia Michael’s uncle made his way to the local hospital. Michael’s mother was pulling an 11-7 shift there. Ambling to a stop at a traffic signal Michael gazed out of his passenger side window. While he took in the sea of city lights that drenched 29th Street in a swirl of colors, his uncle twiddled the knob on the car radio. Settling on the easy R&B of WDAS, the wafting sound of synths and sultry voices is overtaken by the dissonance of screeching car tires. A large Cadillac slammed forcefully into the back of the Honda driven by Michael’s uncle. Inside the car, a split second passes before the impact, but it seems like ages. His automatic reaction was to try and brace himself. Clutching the armrests on either side he realizes that he isn’t wearing a seatbelt…
Michael went barreling through the windshield of the car. That kind of trauma should have killed a boy his size. But Michael wasn’t killed. In fact he walked away virtually unscathed. That night, something was made deadly clear. It was not his turn to go. There were bigger things in store for the boy who would become king.
In the streets of Philadelphia iCON the Mic King is more of an idea than an actual person. There are plenty of stories, all lending to an indelible mystique that makes him as intriguing as he is critically heralded, and perhaps even more misunderstood. iCON is no stranger to paying dues. His work ethic is evidenced by a recording catalogue stretching back to 1995, as well as an impressive international touring schedule yielding passport stamps on three continents in seventeen countries. Delivering powerful hypnotic and awe-inspiring performances with DJ Fishr Pryce at the helm, Mike King’s legend grows with each show-stealing concert date. His most recent projects: “Mike and the Fatman”(Uprising records), which saw him teamed up with Chum the Skrilla Guerrilla on production, with features by Killah Priest and Blue Raspberry, as well as “Rent Money Music 2: C-Notes for the Car Note” were to released to critical acclaim. Unfortunately the scope of those projects was hindered by a lack of resources. But with the proper push…
Upcoming projects and testaments to the Renaissance include “The Season of Our Discontent” produced by Blastah Beatz, and genre-bending electric/hip hop hybrid group Robots With Hearts with Ninja Tune Records’ black sheep, Animals on Wheels. Chum and iCON are also reuniting to release a new progressive set.
A dynamic and compelling emcee, iCON may better be placed with the likes of Dostoevsky, Philip K. Dick, and Franz Kafka than that of his rhyming peers. As one of the City of Brotherly Love’s Premier talents, iCON the Mic King is a man with a purpose. Laying the framework for a new generation of credible artists, using his love of creating timeless music to fuel his epic and visceral rhymes, and leading hip hop into its next golden age by example. Of course, that’s what any good king does.
-A. Sabreen
Fall from Grace ft. Awar
- Produced by Vanderslice. Second video and b-side to the for the Headhphone Classics single. Directed by Matt Hobbs.
Drifting with the Tide ft. Awar
- Produced by Vanderslice. First video/single in the Headphone Classics series. Directed by Matt Hobbs. Holler!
iCON the Mic King in Ceska Lipa
- My shows are parties. If you want to have fun and hear some good music and do all the things that go with that...like meet girls with similar interests to you and spend your nights doing the types of things in life that would make you an interesting storyteller, come to my shows.
Yarah Bravo w/ iCON the Mic King rip rap rippity dooing
- Yarah and I ripped it down something severe at the HipHopKemp warm up party. I just wanted to share that with y'all.
This is me detonating onstage in Tallinn, Estonia
First show of the 2007 "Breakout Option" tour and I was in pure form.
Blindfolded object freestyle in Montreal Summer 07
I generally don't like when heads post the blindfolded freestyle thing on Youtube because I believe it takes a lot of the magic out of it and it's something that people should come to the show and experience but this one, I think something magnificent was truly captured in this one. So when I retire it soon, this will be a good memorial for it.
Love Is Love / Paint By Numbers Live @ Solillaquists of Sound Homecoming Show
Rockin "Iron Will" @ Solillaquists of Sound Homecoming show
IF YOU WANT TO SUBMIT BEATS SEND THEM TO beatsforicon@gmail.com
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What people are saying about my stageshow
Forest Parks - The Random Forest blog
"Slightly drunk and feeling a little cynical I was very impressed when the opener Icon The Mic King came on with a huge toothy smile and a great slightly arrogant but fun attitude. His pinnacle came when he blindfolded himself and had a member of the crowd hand him random objects that he would have to guess and freestyle about. Whether you like Hip Hop or not there was no way on earth that you could deny this act was impressive. Whilst feeling and rapping and thinking he managed to keep flowing and correctly guess every object."
Fitins - Eventful Demand
"Energy seldom seen in Hip Hop artists today. A true showman he leaves you impressed with hardcore lyrics, freestyle crowd interaction and poetic freeform. A complete MC."
Jason (seen at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor April 07)
"iCON embodies everything an emcee should be: charisma, crowd control and lyrics!!! If you have not seen him live, then you need too ASAP!!! He will be the leader of the 3rd Renaissance for sure!"
C-Rayz Walz - Internationally Respected Emcee
"iCON's Stage show is like a Blind Drunken Master kicking everyone's ass at an AA meeting.You'll see a new meaning behind Actively Abusing Bars"
Blue Raspberry - Soulful Killer Songstress from Wutang Clan
ICON THE MIC KING HAS A PERFORMANCE THAT YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE AND IF SLEEP, U WILL HAVE MISSED THE GREATEST SHOW EVER 1 MAN IN HISTORY!! HIS PERFORMANCES ARE PACKED WITH SURPRISES...SO LET MEN HATE WHILE THEIR WOMAN'S TOES CURL...A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH. THIS MAN IS A BEAST!
R.A. the Rugged Man - Legendary Long Island Emcee
"Cocky mo'fucka brings that real braggin' boasting hip-hop shit back to the game, he got mad energy live, makes me wanna do some push-ups or joggin to keep up with his ass."
Louis Logic - Evolved Emcee and Singer/Pianist
"iCON the Mic King's stage show is full of surprises both visually and sonically. Excellent showmanship."
What people are saying about the "Poverty" Single
CFRO - Tee Dub - Vancouver, BC (Community Station)
“iCON is real nice on this track. I think he will get a lot of good feedback with this song. I'm excited to hear more from this ill MC.”
CFUV - Justin - Victoria, BC (University of Victoria)
“This has been added to rotation, and is getting plenty of spins.”
CIUT - DJ Serious - Toronto, ON (University of Toronto)
“This joint is deep and soulful, it makes you feel that pain. Good to hear a record with substance.”
International - DJ Kingstun - London, UK
“This is dope. Perfect for the show.”
Joint One - Joey Slick - Tokyo, Japan
“Dope. I have spun it on a few of the shows. Thanks for sending it over.”
KFAI - King Otto - Minneapolis, MN (Community Station)
“Pretty good track! A lot of good battle MCs have a hard time making good records but this time Mike pulled through! The hook is lovely and the beat mixes well.”
KRTU - Scuba Steve - San Antonio, TX (Trinity University)
“iCON brought the heat on this track. Most know his lyrically prowess from battles, etc., but he's finally starting to come into his own as a recording artist. The beat is nice; Blu Raspberry compliments the hook very nicely as well. Heavy content and overall one helluva project too. Thanks for this one.”
KVCU - Nick/Basementalism - Boulder, CO (University of Colorado)
“I definitely dig on iCON's music. I'm excited to listen to his new ish.”
QUAKE - Earthquake - Seattle, WA (Internet Station)
“I really like his flow on this cut. The singing is working well with the beat. Great college radio cut!”
WBMB - Max Brown - New York, NY (Baruch College)
“An undeniable single off iCON's debut. An epically orchestrated beat gives iCON the chance to spit some very cutting, personal, eye-opening lyrics, while Blue Raspberry provides soulful harmonies. This will be banged.”
WCBN - Chill Will - Ann Arbor, MI (University of Michigan)
“I'm feeling this record. The beat is dope and the lyrics are on point.”
WMCO - Kim Fox - New Concord, OH (Muskingum College)
“I LOVE the iCON. Lots of spins on my show.”
WMHB - Adam L. - Waterville, ME (Colby College)
“Super powerful track! Also love the track with Killah Priest! Crazy production on both songs.”
WMPG - DJ Saylove - Portland, ME (University of Southern Maine)
“The beat is interesting, and the lyrics back it up. I'm givin this spins.”
WPKN - DJ Halo - Fairfield, CT (Community Station)
“Not usually a fan of either iCON or the “Girl Hook” formula, but Blue Rasberry always get me (Winter by Apathy....What!). This is a nice track that's very thoughtful, a different side of iCON than I've seen before. Normally he just talks about how awesome he is at rapping. I peeped the album as well and it sounds a lot different than any of the live stuff I've heard from him as well. Chum is just dope on the beats (again Apathy....). Very good efforts all around.”
WRAS - DJ Sky - Atlanta, GA (Georgia State University)
“I love this guy's stuff. Real raw. I've played several tracks from this album.”
WREK - DJ Fudge - Atlanta, GA (Georgia Tech University)
“I dig this! Pleasantly surprised. I was expecting a deep dark track. The production is solid. The vocals are solid. I'll give this one some runs! I give this a 4/5.
WRFL - Shareef - Lexington, KY (University of Kentucky)
“Very well produced with a nice soothing vocal sample....iCON paints a vivid picture that fits the track like a hand in a glove.”
WRPI - Marc Santos - Troy, NY (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)
“iCON is staying strong in rotation.”
WRSU - Allah Born - New Brunswick, NJ (Rutgers University)
“I like this track!!!! Its dope & meaningful!!! So I'll definitely rock this at the station!!!!!!”
WUSR - DJ DePen - Scranton, PA (University of Scranton)
“The iCON album is amazing, even better than his last one. I love Philly hip hop.”
WXCI - Enigma - Danbury, CT (Western Connecticut State University)
“I was psyched when I saw this......he's been working the underground for some time now. Overall I thought it was a dope album!”
XHTZ - Todd - San Diego, CA (Commercial Station)
“I grabbed this from your site. It's exactly what I'm into. WOOO!!!!”
im good man glad to hear from you, sorry its been a while, on the facebook. chillen with the fam in florida til the first, keep doing ur thing i hope all is well.
funny thing.. u know who took that pic in PR, a random tourist. I pretty much dated myself while there... Took myself out for nice meals, sight seeing, bars haha. got to be independant these days.
Hahaha. Thanks. I don't know about Feng Shui w/ myspace pages, I certainly didn't do it intentionally, but I'm glad it was soothing ;) Hope things are going well for ya, I don't know if you remember meeting me a few years ago up here in VT. You ever coming back up here to play? Definitely let me know, I'll be sure not to miss it :) Peace, Em.
RAP IS SOMETHING YOU DO; HIP HOP IS SOMETHING YOU LIVE: DJ PREMIER & MC BLAQ POET @ TUBE STATION Club, Friedrichstr. 180-184, Berlin this Saturday, October, 31st!
