Mic Sykes delivers outstanding beats and lyrics touted to captivate, encourage and catapult you to step into your God-given destiny. BYOBB Media and Outreach Ministries, launched in 2001, has been captivating the airwaves through the Internet and television ever since. Now they’re doing it with music through BYOBB Records and their premiere artist. Mic Sykes, who exalts Christ.
Sykes debut CD, Make Room, features singles “D.O.C.” and “I Declare War.” A rapper, singer and songwriter, Mic Sykes is on fire for Christ and ready to minister to the world.
Here, he shares his creative inspiration and scriptures that motivate him. Prepare to blast off to a place where only God dwells.
How did you arrive at this career choice? Was it a deliberate decision or a gradual and natural evolution?
It was a “God-Said.” God told me this is what he wanted me to do, so it’s what I do and I love it. I’ve been rapping since I was 11 years old. Joining cyphers with my cousins, but I never took it too serious. It wasn’t until I was 16 that I decided to try to do something with rapping. At 16, I started rapping in a group and was almost signed secularly, but God stepped in and stopped it all from happening. Fast forward, I’m here now with BYOBB Records, a solo artist, rapping for God. God restored everything that I walked away from.
What separates you from others in your field? What is unique to the experience that you create?
What separates me is that I have my own sound, and I’m diverse. I’m not boxed into one style of writing or delivery which makes my style unique.
For those considering entering this arena, what skill sets do you recommend mastering? What traits are most conducive to success?
For those entering this arena, I suggest that they master the entire craft. This means everything that goes into it, writing, producing, making beats, and even going to school if they have to. Especially for those in my arena, the “Holy Hip Hop” arena, having the anointing is not enough. Master then entire craft, be excellent.
How do you stay at the leading edge of your craft?
Tons and tons and tons and tons and tons of hard work. Studying other artists, and music styles, being a bluntly honest critic to myself, studying production techniques, reading up on music history and current trends in music, practicing, and rehearsing.
Do you think that there are any widely held misconceptions about what you do? If so, what are they and how do you work to dispel them?
Yes, the misconception that there is the “devil’s music” and “God’s music.” Music is music, there is no such thing as “God music” and “devil music,” God created music to glorify him, satan perverted music to make people glorify themselves and what they do. It’s not music that’s evil, it’s the intent in which it’s used for that can be evil. I make music that people can relate to, that they can feel, that points to God and not themselves.
How do you map out your goals? How do you measure your success?
I map out my goals through prayer and meditation, I write them down and post them up where I can see them. I measure my success by how many goals I’ve accomplished.
Who do you consider to be your peers in your field? Who do you see/use as examples for you to emulate?
I currently have many peers in the field on a local scale, but none on a national scale. My examples, I call them my prototypes, are Lecrae and Andy Mineo. I like what they are doing with their music.
Name two of your top role models: one from your industry and one from outside of it.
Lecrae and Actor Cameron Arnett. I like what they both stand for and the excellence they bring to their field.
Name three books, works, performances or exhibits that changed how you view life and/or yourself.
The Bible, serving at my ministry, and serving in my community.
Why do you consider continued learning important?
I believe if you really love to do something, you would want to know all their is to know about it.
What affirmations do you repeat to yourself that contribute to your success?
I have numerous scriptures that I speak over myself daily that are a constant reminder of what God has said about and who iIam in him.
What role does technology play in your day-to-day life? How do you utilize it?
I use technology everyday, it plays a great role. I use my phone and computer daily. I also use it in the studio to produce and record music.
What software, app or other technological innovation has made the biggest difference in your life and/or career?
Pro Tools 10 and Cubase 7 have impacted the quality of my music.
Please define your personal brand.
Mic Sykes, Mic means Manufactured In Christ and Sykes that is my last name.
What is your favorite vacation destination and why?
Hawaii, this is my favorite because this is where my wife and I went on our honeymoon.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
I would change how we are so segregated, not just in this nation but in the entire world.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would be able to play any instrument I wanted.
What does it take to be iconic? In your estimation, who has achieved that status?
I think it depends on your level of influence. I think that any artist who has gotten to a level where they have any influence in the life of the listener has the ability to do so.
What keeps you inspired?
God
What scripture(s) are you leaning on?
Philippians 3:13-14, 4:13, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Amos 3:3, Matthew 6:19-21, Matthew 9:37, [and] Mark 16: 15-18.
How do you stay connected with fans?
On Facebook and Twitter and other sources of social media
What’s on your playlist?
I like Bizzle, the whole 116 click, Da Truth, W.L.A.K, Flame, Jesus Culture, Hillsong, Planet Shakers, and many more … we would be here all day.
Where did you vacation this summer?
I actually did not go anywhere this summer. I was working on the album, but I look forward to this coming summer.
