- Michael Barber (musician)
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Michael Barber Birth name Michael Barber Origin Evansville, Indiana, Indiana Genres Messy Music, Hip Hop, Rock, Folk Occupations Song Writer, Rapper, Producer Years active Since 2007 Labels Hoopla Media Group/ECP Music Group/Universal Records Website MichaelBarber.biz Michael Barber is an American musician signed to Universal Records through Hoopla Media Group.[1] Barber is best known for inventing the Messy Music genre that mixes all types of current genres to create his own. Barber has been credited with working in the studio or on marketing campaigns for people such as Nas,[2] Akon,[3] D'Angelo, Nappy Roots,[4] Kia Shine, The Wu Tang Clan,[5] Rza[6] and Static Major to name a few. Michael has also released poetry and music under aliases, Determined, Indiana Smokey Bones, and The Irish Jesus or the Jesus.[7]
Contents
Biography
Michael Barber was born in Evansville, Indiana to an Irish, Catholic middle class family.[8] As a child he listened to his mother play the piano, and he wrote his first album at 14 over tracks of Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, and the rap group Onyx.[9] By the age of 16, Michael was taking drugs and running with gang members. He was expelled from school, and moved to Louisville, Kentucky. He formed the rap group, Rhyme Related and had two CMJ hit songs, The Pill Song and Midwest.[10] Both songs gained a following and had Rhyme Related tour the East Coast and Midwest. Michael was the executive producer on the Sharp as Razor Records compilation album, 'How the Midwest Was Won".[11] He ghost wrote verses and had features on the compilation album listed as Determined.
Michael has worked in the studio or on marketing projects with Nas, Static Major and Nappy Roots.[12] Barber went on to get nominated for a 2007 and 2008 Southern Entertainment Award.[13] During this time Michael put out an award winning mix tape with DJ Mathematics the official DJ of The Wu Tang Clan.[14]
From 2006 to 2008 Michael recorded at Full Sail University and Big Shot Studios in Orlando, Florida. Michael recorded songs with people like Akon and Ray Manzarek[15] for his movie based mix tape series, Motion Picture Mayhem.[16] The two tapes, out of the five part series, landed Michael a deal with Universal Records.[17]
Universal Records
After signing with Universal Records via Jonathan Hay Michael was headed in the right direction. Hay had been the sole reason for breaking some of the biggest acts in the world including Days of the New and Rihanna. Michael issued diss songs to Asher Roth,[18] and Charles Hamilton. Michael's debut album on Universal Records is due out in 2010, and will feature production from Aftermath Records[19] and Shady Records and will feature guests from such artists as Nappy Roots and Kia Shine. Michael also put out two album style mix tapes with world famous DJ, Dj Fade, The Truth[20] and The Purple Aces Project , after turning down a mix tape offer to work with Gangster Grillz Dj, DJ Drama.[21]
On Halloween 2009, after signing with Universal Records, Barber released the 2nd installment of his Motion Picture Mayhem series.[22] The material was recorded before signing with Universal Records, but re-mixed and re-mastered by Universal.
In June 2011, Michael's song, "Take Your Time"[23] was released by Interscope Records and hit the top 200 on the Itunes Charts at number, #187.[24]
Messy Music Style
Michael has created a new genre of music, The Messy Music Style. The Messy Music style is the use of all current music styles to create a new sound. Trent Reznor[25] played a large part in the creation of this style of Music, but Barber is considered a leader of this branch of music. It generally consists of taking music back to poetry over beats.[26] The Purple Aces Project consists of what would normally be all different styles and genres of music, from hip hop, folk, rock, and reggae. These genres when combined create the Messy Style.[27] Barber has stated that his debut album on Universal Records will be labeled under the Messy Style, and even feature country music.
Personal life
Michael is recovering from his drug and alcohol problems and is sober. Michael was in a short relationship with Danielle Fishel.[28] Michael is currently living in Florida and working with ECP Music Group and Warner Music Group as well as still writing songs for Universal Records. He runs a small studio he built from the ground up, Aquemini Beach Front Studios.[29] His father was briefly in the musical group, Weather Report.[30]
Albums
Sharp as Razor Records Presents-"How The Midwest Was Won" Executive Producer and Ghostwriter.
The Purple Aces Project ECP Music Group
Shotguns and Canned Goods Universal Records
Mix Tapes
Dj Fade The Truth
Rhyme Related with Dj Mathematics of the Wu Tang Clan
Xanax and Anchovies [34]
Live From Insanity with DJ Fade
Singles
She's My Pennie Lane [35]
Shotguns and Canned Goods featuring B.Stille of Nappy Roots [36]
Laid Back [37]
Take Your Time [38]
Notes
- ^ http://www.soprupradio.com/?p=4329
- ^ http://albumcredits.com/Profile/44732
- ^ http://www.last.fm/music/Michael+Barber+Ft.+Akon
- ^ http://www.soundclick.com/members/default.cfm?member=Michael%20Barber&content=photos&albumid=12522&id=249025
- ^ http://woofeed.com/Michael-Barber-preps-for-Universal-album-debut-internet-is-hit-with-lead-single-Shes-My-Pennie-Lane/news/1888PressRelease
- ^ http://raptalk.net/website/content/view/1387/54/
- ^ http://www.rapavelli.com/2009/05/12/the-thoughts-of-michael-determined-barber/
- ^ http://freakzappeal.com/artist-michael-barber
- ^ http://risinghits.com/2010/05/michael-barber-dont-judge-a-book-by-its-cover
- ^ http://www.cmj.com/nmrsite/nmr.php
- ^ http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2004_02_howthemidwest.html
- ^ http://musiconplay.net/21/04/2010/michael-barber-interview-with-musiconplay/
- ^ http://www.southernentawards.com/
- ^ http://www.soundclick.com/members/default.cfm?member=Michael%20Barber&content=photos&albumid=12522&id=249027
- ^ http://hiphoppressrelease.blogspot.com/2010/05/michael-barber-is-determined-not-to.html
- ^ http://www.prlog.org/10345994-michael-barber-reports-drake-using-kia-shine-as-ghostwriter.html
- ^ http://www.prlog.org/10241611-michael-determined-barber-signs-record-deal-with-universal-records.html
- ^ http://www.dubcnn.com/media/audio/michaelbarber-ashersnightmare/
- ^ http://globalgrind.com/channel/music/content/1501402/Michael-Barber-quotStage-Namequot/
- ^ http://www.thehip-hopchronicles.com/2009/11/fresh-spit-michael-barber-truth-shots.html
- ^ http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=126131
- ^ http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/motion-picture-mayhem-2/id344046627
- ^ http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/take-your-time-single/id442709501
- ^ http://purplehiphop.com/?p=260
- ^ http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2007/10/trent_reznor_and_saul_williams.html
- ^ http://www.gotpoetry.com/News/print/sid=56891.html
- ^ http://www.i-newswire.com/michael-barber-prepares-launch/28150
- ^ http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=124626
- ^ http://www.8tyeight.com/2010/04/8tyeight-exclusive-interview-michael.html
- ^ http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/weather_report
- ^ http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/motion-picture-mayhem-2/id344046627
- ^ http://www.ilike.com/artist/Michael+Barber/album/Motion+Picture+Mayhem+2?src=onebox
- ^ http://www.phreshmusictalk.com/2011/01/michael-barber-mathematics-motion.html
- ^ http://www.hiphopstarship.com/the-best-of-indie-hits-from-michael-determined-barber/
- ^ http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/shes-my-pennie-lane-single/id368184730
- ^ http://www.dubcnn.com/media/audio/michaelbarber-SGCG
- ^ http://funkybleats.com/first-musician-nas-co-sign-michael-barber-releases-reggae-single
- ^ http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/take-your-time-single/id442709501
Categories:- People from Evansville, Indiana
- Living people
- Rappers from Indiana
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