MIKE – Biography, Career and Discography

Michael Jordan Bonema, commonly known as Mike or MIKE, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer residing in New York City. His unique upbringing, spanning locations such as New Jersey, England, Philadelphia, and New York City, has left a distinctive mark on his music style, characterized by its diversity and experimental nature. Growing up in places like Livingston, London, Essex, Philadelphia, and New York City, MIKE’s eclectic background serves as a significant influence on his artistic expression.

Early Life

Michael Jordan Bonema, who is now 26 years old, was born on October 13, 1998, in Livingston, New Jersey. Growing up, he had a diverse upbringing due to his family’s frequent moves between Livingston, London, Essex, Philadelphia, and New York City.

Following his parents’ divorce during his youth, MIKE maintained close relationships with both his mother and father, as well as his sisters, who played significant roles in his life.

At the age of 5, MIKE’s mother relocated them to England in pursuit of better educational opportunities. They resided in Hackney, London, for five years, where MIKE was exposed to a different culture.

It was at the age of 10 that MIKE’s interest in music sparked, particularly inspired by the English Grime artist Skepta.

When MIKE was 12 years old, he returned to Philadelphia with his father, where he continued to immerse himself in American hip-hop culture. At the age of 16, he resettled in The Bronx with his father before eventually moving to Brooklyn. It was in Brooklyn where MIKE and his friends founded the underground hip-hop collective known as ‘Slums.’

Personal Life

MIKE values his privacy when it comes to his personal life, and details about his romantic relationships are scarce. However, he maintains a strong connection with his family, frequently visiting his sisters in New York and staying in touch with his father in Philadelphia.

Despite the challenges he faced and the frequent relocations during his childhood, MIKE draws strength and inspiration from his family, who have been a constant source of support for him.

Reflecting on his upbringing, MIKE describes his childhood as difficult, having to adapt to new environments repeatedly as his family moved between Livingston, London, Essex, Philadelphia, and New York City. He recalls struggling with mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, starting from a young age. However, he finds solace and comfort in music, expressing himself through his art when words fail him.

MIKE maintains close ties with his family, making efforts to stay connected despite geographical distances and challenges. He also speaks highly of his relationship with Earl Sweatshirt, emphasizing their mutual understanding and Earl’s mentorship in life.

For MIKE, music holds a special significance, serving as a vital outlet for his emotions and allowing him to express himself freely. While he prefers to release his music through platforms like Bandcamp, he has expanded his reach to platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify, and Apple Music for select projects.

Career Beginnings

During his time in England in 2008, young Bonema developed an interest in hip-hop after watching music videos by artists like Skepta, Chipmunk, and N-Dubz with his mother and older sisters. Additionally, he was exposed to Contemporary R&B artists such as Chingy and Bow Wow, thanks to living in a household with many female family members.

Upon returning to Philadelphia in 2010, Bonema’s interest in hip-hop deepened as he immersed himself in the American hip-hop culture. He began studying the works of emerging artists like Chance the Rapper, Drake, and Lil Wayne. In 2012, Bonema recorded his first song, a cover of MF Doom and Madlib’s underground hit ‘All Caps,’ reflecting his aggressive vocal style and serving as an initial exploration of self-expression at the age of 14.

As Bonema matured, his musical tastes evolved, and he gravitated towards artists like Tyler, the Creator, Earl Sweatshirt, and other members of the Odd Future collective. By 2013, he started taking hip-hop more seriously, releasing music and actively reaching out to journalists and record executives within the industry. This marked the beginning of his journey into the world of hip-hop as a professional artist.

Career Achievements

2015:

In January 2015, Bonema introduced his debut project, a six-track EP titled “Belgium Butter,” on his Bandcamp page. This release served as a personal endeavor for Bonema, as he navigated his identity within the community and worked to rebuild his self-confidence.

During this period, Bonema sought independence and stability, leading him to co-found the underground hip-hop collective Slums. Composed of like-minded artists from New York City, including Adé Hakim, aJodi.10k, Darryl Johnson, King Carter, and Mason Dreiling, Slums became a significant aspect of Bonema’s life, providing a sense of belonging and understanding.

Throughout 2015, Bonema continued to share his artistic vision through two additional short-run EPs: “Crimson EP” and “RAFA (running away from the ajogun).” The latter EP showcased Bonema’s commitment to collaboration with fellow members of Slums, further solidifying their creative bond.

In tandem with his EP releases, Bonema embarked on the creation of his breakout mixtape, “Winter New York,” crafted in a shared apartment with Slums in New York City. This mixtape delved into the youth culture of the city, exploring themes of self-worth and confidence while sharing personal narratives and those of his peers. Through his music, Bonema aimed to connect with others and offer insight into their shared experiences.

2016:

Following his breakout mixtape, Bonema continued to make waves in February by releasing the four-track EP “Jungle Boy,” inspired by the concept of New York City as a “jungle.” This project showcased his evolving artistic vision and garnered attention for its innovative sound.

In a significant development, Bonema signed with the London-based independent record label Lex Records, providing him with a platform for releasing, publishing, and distributing his music.

Undeterred by his success, Bonema embarked on his next project titled “Longest Day, Shortest Night,” which hit the airwaves in June. This release further solidified his reputation as a versatile and dynamic artist.

As the year progressed, Bonema continued to make his mark with the release of two more short-run EPs: “The Ones Who Were Made By Time” in September and “Tonight, With You” in December. These projects showcased his ability to experiment with different styles and themes while maintaining his distinctive voice.

During this period, Bonema forged a connection with Earl Sweatshirt, whom he admires as his “favorite rapper.” This mentorship relationship proved invaluable as Sweatshirt provided guidance on music-making, self-expression, and navigating the challenges of being a young black artist in America.

Moreover, Bonema expanded his skill set by learning music production in 2016, with assistance from his friend and fellow Slums member, Sixpress. This newfound expertise allowed him to exercise full creative control over his music, enabling him to authentically express his emotions and experiences.

2017:

In early 2017, Bonema embarked on a new creative journey with the inception of a mixtape initially titled “By The Water.” However, he encountered artistic hurdles along the way, feeling disconnected from his true self and struggling to authentically express his identity through the project. This internal struggle led to delays as Bonema grappled with aligning his artistic vision with his personal truth.

A pivotal moment came when Bonema’s mother posted “May God Bless Your Hustle” on his Instagram, inadvertently inspiring him to revisit and reframe his creative process. This phrase resonated deeply with Bonema, encapsulating his journey as he navigated the challenges of independent life in New York City while drawing strength from the support and blessings of his network.

Motivated by this newfound clarity, Bonema resumed work on the project, recording half of the songs in his home in Bedford–Stuyvesant and the other half at XL Recordings in Lower Manhattan. In June, he released the completed mixtape as a pay-what-you-want download on Bandcamp, expressing gratitude to his support network, including his family, Earl Sweatshirt, and members of Slums, for their contributions and encouragement.

Building on this momentum, Bonema set his sights on his commercial debut, commencing work on a self-produced short-player titled “By The Water EP.” This project marked a significant step forward in his artistic journey, showcasing his growth as a musician and his commitment to authentic self-expression.

2018 – 2021:

In early 2018, Bonema, while living independently in London, began working on his next project, “Black Soap.” By April, he commenced the project rollout, releasing the lead single “Time Ain’t Enough” along with a music video produced by 10k Productions. He also unveiled a full list of collaborators for the project, including Standing on the Corner, Darryl Johnson, Adé Sayed, and his mother, Anu Akinbobye. “Black Soap,” described by Bonema as a creation imbued with passion, love, and community, was made available in May through various platforms such as online streaming, digital downloads, and physical copies via Bandcamp.

Shortly after, Bonema shifted his focus to his follow-up project, “Renaissance Man,” which was released in June on the one-year anniversary of his breakout album, “May God Bless Your Hustle.” Following this, he announced another project titled “War in My Pen,” slated for release in December. This 13-track effort, produced by DJ Blackpower, featured collaborations with New York City-based artists and Slums affiliates, as well as London-based artists.

In January, Bonema, alongside BbyMutha, Na-Kel Smith, Liv.e, and Black Noi$e, was announced as a support act for Earl Sweatshirt’s “Fire It Up!” tour, which kicked off in March and spanned several locations in the United States and England over three months.

Bonema continued to release new music, dropping “Tears of Joy” on June 21, 2019, and “Weight of the World” on June 21, 2020. He also debuted his debut EP under the alias DJ Blackpower, titled “blp2020: king of the night,” on October 31, 2020, followed by a second EP, “BLP2021: For Ur Own Good,” in early 2021.

His album “Disco!” was released on June 21, 2021, reaching number 98 on the Billboard Top Current Album Sales chart. This marked another milestone in Bonema’s musical journey, showcasing his continued growth and versatility as an artist.

2022 – Present

On October 13, 2022, Bonema made a significant announcement, revealing his forthcoming album “Beware of the Monkey,” set for release on December 21, 2022. Accompanying this announcement was the release of the album’s first single, “nuthin i can do is wrng,” on the same day. Following this, he unveiled the second single, “What Do I Do?,” on November 3, 2022, followed by the third and final single, “Stop Worry,” featuring Sister Nancy, on November 29, 2022.

In collaboration with Wiki and The Alchemist, MIKE released an EP titled “One More” on November 25, 2022. This collaboration paved the way for their subsequent full-length album, “Faith Is a Rock,” which debuted on September 22, 2023.

MIKE continued his prolific output with the release of his 12th solo album, “Burning Desire,” on October 13, 2023. Later in the same month, he dropped “Dr. Grabba,” the third album under his producer alias, dj blackpower, on October 31, 2023. These releases underscored MIKE’s versatility and commitment to pushing artistic boundaries across various musical projects.

Influences

Bonema’s musical journey has been shaped by a diverse array of influences, with Skepta standing out as his earliest inspiration. Alongside Skepta, he credits artists like MF Doom, Chance the Rapper, Drake, Lil Wayne, and Tyler, the Creator for contributing to his distinctive sound. Additionally, he draws inspiration from the likes of Sade, King Krule, and mentor Earl Sweatshirt, admiring their ability to create deeply resonant music that captures the essence of everyday life.

The support and admiration Bonema holds for MF Doom played a significant role in the development of his stage name, MIKE. This influence is evident in his early lyrics, where he references writing his name in all caps, akin to Doom’s iconic style.

Beyond music, Bonema finds inspiration in literature, citing works such as Ta-Nehisi Coates’ “Between the World and Me” and Adam Rapp’s “Punkzilla” as instrumental in enhancing his creative processes. These books have taught him how to use music as a means of self-expression and storytelling.

Moreover, Bonema acknowledges the profound impact of the women in his life, including his mother, older sisters, and school teachers, who have served as major sources of inspiration. The title of his breakout mixtape, “May God Bless Your Hustle,” was derived from a phrase his mother often used, reflecting the enduring influence of his familial bonds on his artistry.

Discography

EPs

2015 –  Belgium Butter

2015 – Crimson

2015 – RAFA (Running Away from Ajogun)

2016 – Jungle Boy

2016 – The Ones Who Were Made by Time

2016 – Tonight, with You

2017 – By the Water

2019 – Resistance Man

2020 – BLP2020 “King of the Night” (as DJ Blackpower)

2021 – BLP2021 “For Ur Own Good” (as DJ Blackpower)

2022 – One More (with Wiki and The Alchemist)

2023 – Dr. Grabba (as DJ Blackpower)

Singles

2019 – NUMBERED DAYZ

2020 – nothing2say (Never Forget)

2021 – Evil Eye

2021 – Crystal Ball

2021 – In My World

2022 – Makeda

2022 – nuthin i can is wrng

2022 – What Do I Do?

2022 – Stop Worry ft.Sister Nancy

2023 – Red Jacket 6

Albums

2016 – Longest Day, Shortest Night 

2017 – May God Bless Your Hustle

2018 – Black Soap

2020 – Weight of the World

2021 – Disco!

2023 – Faith Is a Rock

2023 – Burning Desire