Let me put you on (part 2)

You might have heard them, but you're not listening...

Mickey Factz...I first heard Factz on a track with N.E.R.D., a song called "Locked Away." He caught my attention immediately. I was surprised at his flow on the particular song because I had heard countless "semi-alternative" songs with a feature of some artist reciting a mediocre 16 bar verse, trying to establish an urban connection (many failed attempts). But Factz embodied the style and ran with the melody, which influenced the flow. The reason he made such an impression on me was due to the fact I never heard of this man and he was utilizing the mic like a professional with ease. I'm one who prides himself on knowing what's out there and what's raw. So in this actual segment, it's safe to say that N.E.R.D. put me on to a rising star.

Anyway, I did my research. He was an MC from the Bronx part of NY and I discovered later on he used to be a ghostwriter for Remy Ma, another lyricist of the area. Remy Ma at that time was one of my favorite female rappers. I was definitely feeling her and after looking up Factz's history I understood why.

Flashback Vol. 1: Back to the Future was the first mixtape I downloaded after the background check. From the intro this man went in. Like most people, comparisons are the first things you look for in an artist, but the voice, the flow, and the variety of lyrical content this hungry MC was delivering, captured my ears in an instant. He made his own name. "It's Mickey!"

Naturally, the search went on. What else can I find from this dude? I was certainly a fiend for some good music, some better music than what I was hearing in these walk it out streets. Heaven's Fallout was the next mixtape I came across. I was already aware of Factz gift to rhyme on topic and stick to it. In "Mona Lisa," a fly rendition of Slick Rick's classic, he embodied the pattern of the rhyme, but proved his talent with every verse, altering each line. Then he presented a more serious side on the two tracks "Buck em down" and "Hey young world." Versatility was his friend and I was ready to hear more. However, the return was even better.

Heaven's Fallout caught me so off guard. For a week, I was trying to figure out what to type in as the genre of this mixtape. The music was so different. Maybe it's a cross between hip-hop and electro. Maybe it's alternative. Maybe I couldn't figure it out, but I liked it and I listened. I loved it. It was a total package, equipped with the feel good music you could jump in your car and ride to as well as the thought provoking tracks you've been waiting for since Nas. I felt like everything I could ask for was in this one mixtape, not even an album. It was fun, serious, vivid, and therapeutic all simultaneously. I was on the bandwagon.

When the two volumes of The Leak series came out in 2008, I was convinced I had to encourage others to listen. I got nothing but good feedback from my own peers and Factz was still giving me more to appreciate. His track with The Cool Kids, "Rockin' & Rollin' ," obtained such a buzz that students on my campus started asking me if I had more of what Factz had in the catalog. The fans were growing and I hope they still are. He's one artist we have to support for the fact that he understands versatility and acknowledges not only the hip-hop audience, but other cultures outside of it. We have to support him because he is a vision of innovation and even Barack Obama let us know how important change is to our future. Mickey Factz is the future of good music.

Now, I can't force my opinion upon the rest of the world, however, I can offer it. Here are a selection of tracks from the artist that an open-mind might find intriguing. Check it out, see for yourself...

Flashback Vol. 1: Back to the Future [mixtape]: "Streetwear Story" , "Scarfaces"

In Search of the Nerd [mixtape]: "Rockstar Posers"

Heaven's Fallout [mixtape]: "There's Nothing Left" , "Living Dead"

The Leak Vol.1: The Understanding [mixtape] "Robot Rock" , "Be Free" , "Another Star"

The Leak Vol.2: The Inspiration [mixtape]: "6 Letter Words" , "Machine Gun"

It's so hard narrowing these down. Listen and learn.