Mikey Spice

Bio:

For Bookings Contact: Gwen Hylton 313-864-5595 or 313-717-4212 Cell gwenhylton3@aol.com Born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1965, Mikey Spice began singing in his father's church at age seven. He then became a dazzling multi-instrumentalist, learning guitar, bass, drums, trumpet, piano, saxophone, flute, harp and clarinet before age 13. Seven years later, he decided on a reggae career. After working with several bands, Spice (whose voice has been compared to Lou Rawls) began recording in 1991. A successful live date at 1993's Reggae Sunsplash sparked his Ras Records debut, Happiness (1995), followed the next year by Born Again. Jah Lifted Me appeared in 1997. Harder Than Before was issued in early 2001. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide With the chart success of "Born Again" following his summertime hit, "Practice What You Preach", Mikey Spice has proven that his distinctive musical flavor is certain to remain with us for many moons. As a singer/songwriter/musician (proficient in 22 instruments), Mikey Spice is the embodiment of that rare musical phenomenon traditionally referred to as the "one man band". Blessed with a uniquely broad, rich and resonant voice, Mikey was raised on the rousing spiritual music of the Church of God, in Kingston, Jamaica, where his father served as bishop. As a youth, Mikey picked up musical instruments the way other children picked up toys, and learned to play them one at a time "…from piano to banjo, saxophone, trumpet, guitar, harp, drums, bass…I had all the instruments to play around with, plus microphone and audience… all of it came about together". Inspired also by international singers such as Lou Rawls, Barry White and Teddy Prendergrast, Mikey took up residency on Jamaica's north coast in 1984, and quickly established himself as a leading vocalist and guitarist for many of the bands on the cabaret circuit. The late '80s also found Mikey Spice making a name for himself as a studio musician and harmony singer for many of Jamaica's leading artistes, including Gregory Issacs, Dennis Brown, Toots Hibbert, Freddie McGregor, Frankie Paul and Tiger. In early part of 1991, Mikey teamed up with engineer/producer Barry O'Hare at Grove Music Studios in Ocho Rios, and began recording his own compositions: "…I think my experience from singing other people's songs taught me how to write and structure a song. I had these words and they just flowed into place. The first time I ever put a song together, it was one of those thrilling moments". In Jamaica, Mikey continued performing and producing tracks with other artistes, including Jack Radics, Capleton and Garnet Silk, with whom he recorded "Mama". In 1993 he performed with Gregory Issacs and other artistes at Jamaica's annual Reggae Sunsplash and he roused a notoriously discriminating audience with his solo act at Sting '93. Mikey's first single, "You Caught Me", released in Jamaica on the Roof label in 1991, garnered airplay in England as well as Jamaica. Several singles followed on the Ocho Rios based X-Rated label, including "The Way We Were", "Let Me Know", "Chant Down Babylon" and a very popular re-make of the Barry White classic "Practice What You Preach", which continues to receive enthusiastic airplay in Jamaica, the U.S., Canada and Europe. The release of Mikey's first CD, Happiness, on the X-Rated label (licensed in the U.S. by RAS Records), led to his first European tour in 1995, under the auspices of RUNNetherlands Music. Several singles followed with Bobby Digital, Big Ship and New Name Music, & Mixing Lab label CD. Since having such major response from fans and well wishers , Mikey Spice has been voted best new artiste '95, song of the year '95, "Showers Of Blessings", also number one in Miami for three months, number ones in London, with "Born Again", "When You're Lonely", "Shake Your Boody" with the reknown Shaggy, and a cover version of Bob Marley's "So Much Things To Say" released on the Big Ship Label. Mikey Spice also produces himself as well as other entertainers, his releases being "More Than Wonderful" "I'm So Lonely, Home to Zion and the critically acclaimed album "Harder Than Before" released by VP Records. With this successful track record you can be sure that there are lots more in the making . It’s been 7 years since the sizzling combination of Mikey Spice & Lloyd Campbell came together on a solo album – and now, the long overdue wait is over. Hot out of the Joe Fraser Production house comes Spice’s new 16 track album – Walk A Mile – featuring the deep, silky, unmistakable vocals that Spice has become famous for Including the tracks, ‘A Little Love’, a hit for Jimmy London in the ‘70’s has been revitalized with a new feel for 2008. ‘I Cry, You Cry’ from the popular Bob Marley Jah Live riddim, the infectious ‘Happy Hour’ that will keep you singing long after the song has finished, and the title track ‘Walk A Mile’, are all winners. ‘Two Spliff Tail’, ‘Pull It Up’ and ‘Hanging On To You’ are other notables included on this album. The world can once again enjoy the musical talent that Mikey Spice has to offer. and stay tuned for even more, with something for everyone, including Smooth Jazz, R & B, and Gospel After all these years, the magic is still here! ..

Member Since:

September 08, 2006

Members:

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NEW ARTICLE FROM YARDFLEX.COM! January 03, 2008 Mikey Spice to put reggae gospel in the big league By: Joseph Cunningham "I'm born again and free from sin..." are in retrospect, prophetic words from former secular Reggae crooner, Mikey Spice. The song was released in 1996, and was a chart topper. However, an interview with the singer revealed that he is now a devout Christian. "I am not just singing spiritual songs anymore. I am now serving the lord," Mikey told YardFlex. Without giving away too much, Mikey said he is currently in negotiations to be signed to a major international label as a bonafide Gospel musician. He does not attribute his decision to fully commit to Jesus as anything more than, "submitting to his destiny." Interestingly, Mikey's "new walk" is in accordance with his beginnings. Mikey attended his fathers' church, where he sang and became a dazzling multi-instrumentalist, learning guitar, bass, drums, trumpet, piano, saxophone, flute, harp and clarinet before age 13. It was at age 20 that he decided on a reggae career and started working with several bands. Mikey began recording in 1991, and by 1993 he had a live performance at Reggae Sunsplash. A good showing at Sunsplash preceded hits such as "Happiness," "Born Again" and "Jah Lifted Me," released in 1997. Blessed with a uniquely broad, rich and resonant voice, Mikey was raised on the rousing spiritual music of the Church of God, in Kingston, Jamaica, where his father served as bishop and "Practice What You Preach" was the name of his 2001 monster hit. Today, the song continues to receive enthusiastic airplay in Jamaica, the U.S., Canada and Europe. As a singer/songwriter/musician, Mikey Spice is the embodiment of that rare musical phenomenon traditionally referred to as the "one man band." As a youth, Mikey picked up musical instruments the way other children picked up toys, and learned to play them one at a time. "From piano to banjo, saxophone, trumpet, guitar, harp, drums, bass, I had all the instruments to play around with, plus microphone and audience... all of it came about together." Influenced by international singers like: Lou Rawls, Barry White and Teddy Prendergrast, Mikey became a studio musician and harmony singer for many of Jamaica's leading artistes, including Gregory Issacs, Dennis Brown, Toots Hibbert, Freddie McGregor, Frankie Paul and Tiger. In early 1991 he teamed up with engineer/producer Barry O'Hare at Grove Music Studios in Ocho Rios, and began recording his own compositions. "I think my experience from singing other people's songs taught me how to write and structure a song. I had these words and they just flowed into place. The first time I ever put a song together, it was one of those thrilling moments". Voted best new artiste in 1995, Mikey Spice also had the song of the year that same year. The track, "Showers Of Blessings" was also number one in Miami for three months.

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