Artist: Myko
Location: Atlanta,
Georgia
Influences: The
Chi-Lites, The Stylistics and The Delfonics, The Manhattans
Why You Should Know Myko:
Ever wonder if new solo artists stepping into the music
industry feel like it’s their freshmen year on a high school basketball team? You
know, the butterflies you get when you’re new to a bunch of people, who will befriend
you if you’re a star player, but shun you when you’re on the bench.
Meet Myko. Yes, he’s from Hot-Lanta, the home of some of the
most well-known players in music industry, but Myko’s style of Urban-Pop is
sure to have everyone checking for him,
In recently attended an event where Myko sang and captivated
the audience, it was obvious that his voice takes you somewhere. The chills after
listening to him will further heighten the eagerness to see what this new
artist has planned for the music world.
It was only a year ago when Myko signed on with Outta Pocket
Entertainment, a budding entertainment company with an NFL superstar at the
helm. Now Myko is hard at work in preparation of releasing his debut album. The
LP features production from Static Major, who sadly passed away in February
2008, on the lead single “Late Night Creep.” Also adding to the roster are
producers B-Rock, Bink, Khao, Toxic and songwriting from Jason Desrouleaux. The
album also garners an appearance from Miami’s own Rick Ross on the record “Spend
This Bread.”
The name Myko, which is derived from his middle name Demetri,
was inspired by a nickname his grandmother would often call him. It was around
age eleven, in church, that this aspiring singer started to see his
vision.
As Myko sat and watched his father who was also a singer in
choir rehearsals, he realized his passion was in music. He is proud to say that
besides old school R&B, his music is highly influenced by the “ole soulful sounds”
of the church.
Let’s fast forward to the present, as Myko’s rise truly
began when he linked up with his manager Latwan Wolfe, who at the time was a
promoter in the Atlanta and Tennessee area. Latwan put together various shows
for artists such as Bobby Valentino, Trey Songz, Floetry, and Erykah Badu among
others and allowed the ambitious singer to showcase his talent as an opening
act.
Unbeknownst to Myko, his manager had a connection that would
soon change the shape of his career. Latwan and Thomas Jones, running back for
the New York Jets, had grown up together and considered each other like family.
In due time, Jones would eventually hear Myko’s music and everything else is
history!
“Thomas heard the music and since then he’s been crazy
about it, says Myko.” He flew me
down to Miami and he told me what he wanted to do. I was interested in the
whole situation and that’s how I got signed to Outta Pocket Entertainment. So
far it’s been a beautiful thing; everything is going great! A couple people
have come to Thomas with different business ventures, thank god that he was
interested and decided to try something with me.”
Myko’s style of both urban and pop music is a blend that he
feels will take the game by storm. The urban side came a bit easy for him
growing up in the tougher side of Atlanta. He claims it came from just being in
the streets, the people he hung out with and his upbringing. The pop element of
Myko came a little later, as he began to broaden his horizons as far as
listening to different music. So he assessed the music scene and its present set
up and realized how the pop-ish sound is taking over.
“I had to figure out my own sound, get my own chemistry
going and we came up with what we call Urban-Pop. Our formula is, I have that
raspy old school voice, that urban sound, but we would write the music
completely pop. Right now it’s working and people love the sound.”
Currently, Myko’s first joint “Late Night Creep,” is gaining
momentum on the radio airwaves. He
feels blessed to have been able to work with Static Major before his untimely
passing and felt that he learned a lot from Major’s production formula.
“He taught me to let myself go – everything
shouldn’t be so staged and sometimes you have to go off of the first thing you
think,” Myko expresses. “And that’s one thing that I’ve been learning a lot in
this industry, sometimes your first idea is your best idea. If you sit there
and cloud it up with different judgments, then you’ll start second guessing yourself.
Then it becomes one of those things where you’re not going to get the best
product.
It becomes work instead of something that you love to do.
So that’s something that I learned; go with your first instinct. I just tried
to be like a sponge and soak up whatever I could while we were in the studio.
That’s one thing I picked up in that situation – try to let it go and
open your mind up to whatever comes.”
Though no release date has been set for Myko’s debut album Options, he’s anticipating the response, which he feels will
be great. The title for the album came easy to him, since that’s exactly what
he is offering to you in this effort. With a spectrum of topics and everything
from up-tempo, mids, and ballads, this is one album that he ensures men, women
and people from various genres will like.
“When I say Options, I mean options. I started recording and
everything was coming off so diverse. There is something for everybody and
everyone is going to love it! The urban side, the pop side, it’s just that
simple!
We have variety of topics, but mostly I’m catering to
women. Most of my topics will be based around relationships. I have one song
called “My Baby’s Got It” [and] it’s pretty much saying that even though all
these other girls are chasing me, I don’t need them because my baby’s got it at
home. Another joint is probably my favorite, “Is Anyone Listening.” If a man
cried out to be in a relationship or to be in love is anyone listening, does
anyone care that he’s asked for his angel?”
Though some of the tracks on the album are life experiences,
he credits his ability to write and the help of other songwriters whom added more
creativity to the album. Myko realizes that music is going to be a stepping
stone, which will help branch off in sorts of directions.
“I love fashion and I’m a tall guy, sometimes it’s hard
to find clothing, so maybe I’ll do a clothing line. I want to do some acting and
production, I feel like I have so much to offer. I’m focusing on this music
right now and I want to give it my all. I know by me giving this much attention
to my music, its going to do great and it will open up the doors for everything.
Myko is going to be a brand; y’all don’t even know it.”
Check out Myko at http://www.myspace.com/mykoatl
or http://www.tygereye.net/myko.
