Soulful vocals served with a dose of honest, political rhymes, laced over funk & soul infused boom bap courtesy of Swamburger (Sol.illaquists of Sound)
John Quincy Adams once said “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” And by those standards, Mauikai, the Cuban-American soul siren, lyricist and political activist has been a leader her entire life. Born and raised in the heart of South Florida’s most popular city, this Miami-bred artist has been paying her dues since grade school. Passion, tenacity & fearlessness represent few of the qualities this outspoken chanteuse possesses.
Emerging out of thin air and breaking into Orlando’s underground Hip Hop scene back in 2004, Mauikai, a quick study, teamed up with then-local super crew: the Sol.illaquists of Sound, at their weekly open-mic jam, Vocalizations at famed Will’s Pub. The journey continues just after receiving her degree in audio engineering from Full Sail University, when she moves in with her mentors (who later sign to Anti-/Epitaph Records) to begin working on her career. No stranger to the mass market, this musical chameleon once worked for “Diddy” at his New York recording studio, Daddy’s House and interned for bi-cultural, bi-lingual Telemundo subsidiary, mun2 Television. Suffice to say, both of these experiences only strengthened her convictions to steer clear of the commercialized music industry. Blending song & rhyme with stripped-down, honest lyrics, Mauikai’s unique style stands out amongst today’s cookie cutter artists that solely replicate songs major labels consider “hit records”.
And while most twenty-something’s are still trying to find themselves and figure out what they want to do with their lives, 24 year old Mauikai has stayed way ahead of the curve. With several collaborative releases on indie Hip Hop label Nonsense Records and four successful national tours as a supporting act for the Sol.illaquists of Sound and DJ Vadim’s London outfit, One Self to name a few, Mauikai is has just returned from her debut European tour. Releasing a preview of her first LP “Auto-tuneless Life Formations” produced by Solilla emcee, producer & artist extraordinaire Swamburger, stops included Eastern Europe’s largest Hip Hop festival: Hip Hop Kemp, Germany’s month long celebration of women in Hip Hop: the We B*Girlz Festival and several shows alongside the legendary Roxanne Shante, Bahamadia, Yarah Bravo, Stacy Epps, DJ Shortee, The Coup, DJ Nu-Mark, Immortal Technique and many more!
As if her musical conquests aren’t enough, 2008 marks the beginning of a dream realized, as Mauikai has teamed up with several friends and supporters to launch the “I Am Hip Hop: My Voice Matters” program, a non-profit organization in the works that focuses on exposing Hip Hop history and culture to the incarcerated youth in her hometown juvenile detention center. You may not know the name yet, but one encounter is all you’ll need to know that Mauikai isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon…so keep your eyes and ears peeled. From the US to Europe and all around the globe, this floecist is sure to rock the mic and drop knowledge in a city near you!
Mauikai With Dajla & Benji Blow on Telenantes Nantes, France September 26, 2008
Mauikai, The FSB & DJ SPS "Le Tube" @ Radio Paradiso Lausanne, Switzerland October 8, 2008
Mauikai & DJ Ryf Live @ Le Bourg Lausanne, Switzerland October 8, 2008
Mauikai, Yarah Bravo & DJ Ngoc Lan Live @ Club SAS Delemont, Switzerland October 4, 2008
Mauikai & Stacy Epps Live @ Hip Hop Kemp Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic August 23, 2008
My birthday sister... Happy Date of Birth to you miss and by now you must be rockin oversea's right? Either way, play hard my friend... much respect to your Libra spirit.
Yo Mauikaiasaurus. I just found out that we're related...and as a special family only present we've made a new song for you called "End of Days" (start doing backflips now). It's an epic instrumental opus to the moment when our ancient Dino relatives saw a large fiery object plummeting towards them. Please come to our page, give it a listen and let us know if it makes you feel like something catastrophic is gonna happen. If the song upsets you too much we will be holding several s support groups (read: comcerts) in the near future. Check our page for locations, dates and times.
Whats up? Hope your having a amazing day. When ya get a chance swing by my page and peep out the new tunes I've got and grab your copy of my new beat mixtape. it's free, has crazy super dope beats, and it hit's harder then De la Hoya opps I mean Mayweather lol Have a good one and let me know whatcha think.
The House of M would like to thank you for your friendship & support in our battle against Dr. Wacktagon, The Auto-Tuned Villain & his Swagganot Henchmen... Please help spread the Mutant Movement before Dr. Wacktagon unleashes his S.W.A.G. Virus on the entire world!!! GLOBAL WACKTIFICATION is NOT an option! Also, please become a fan of the mutant movement on Facebook!
I am so happy to have seen your mom we had a great time... You are beautiful and very successful and that makes me very proud to have known you as a little girl. I wish you the very best and hope to see you soon!
Madam Maui, hello my jolly friend. To de-bore the happs I'll give you a briefing... Everythings healthy for now I must say. Keeping life on track and plotting my new steps in music cause it's been a while and the reformatting process has been lovely.
How's the humid as hell sunny South, haha. Give me the low-down when chanced... it seems like you have life & music balanced very well, so i might have to copy the formula
Thank you so much for returning the love. I'm glad you liked my page and the quote because I'm really feelin your music. I am always down to hear more so feel free to send me a link to that other site. Keep doing what you do! Be blessed :)
LOL ... word, I hear you. I have plans to meet Silk tomorrow, so hold on 1 more day :) This video is real different from the others, too ... should be interesting to see what happens :) hope you are well ... I need a vacation!!!! :)