It was at the University of Maryland’s ESAi’s annual culture show we were introduced to Mike E. There was so much hype surrounding him as an artist I couldn’t wait for his performance. I don’t think any of us were ready for what was in store for us. His performance began with an introduction video highlighting his passion and his work as a philanthropist.
In the beginning I had assumed he was Ethiopian, but then later learned he is an African American born in Ethiopia. I was impressed by the video since his art primarily involved Ethiopian culture. He is a spoken word artist, a lyricist, an actor and above all a humanitarian. He has been featured in several major publications such as VIBE and has appeared several times on HBO’s Russell Simmons’s Def Poetry series.
His music is not only entertaining but also inspiring. It is a message of hope and change. Many of you might have come across Mike E this past soccer tournament in Dallas. Therefore you are familiar with his amazing performance. He exudes an energy that consumes the audience.
His battle for improved lives for people in Ethiopia is so moving. His charity is not only to those in Ethiopia, but also for those living in Detroit. He is part of the fight to improve the education system for inner city student.
It is rare to find a rap artist whose lyrics are not about bling and hoes but rather about hope. His expression of his art has fueled his goals to change the world. He continues to work tirelessly to bring about change in all his path of travels.Beyond his talent it is his humility that is remarkable.
His modesty about his talent and his charitable work is refreshing. This is a person who is solely devoted to his cause. I was surprised to learn nearly all his earnings are donated to the several charities he works with. He is involved with the HIV/AIDS Prevention Care and Support Organization (HAPCSO), the Ethiopian North American Health Professionals Association (ENAHPA), the Fistula Foundation, and most recently with the American Cancer Association. His integrity and character are admirable.
We are huge fans of this fantastic artist and we hope you enjoy his music as much has we have. It is with great pleasure we introduce Mike E. and Podcasted is two songs from his much anticipated Afroflow album.
We happen to have in our hands 3 autographed copies of the Afroflow album, and we will include in the package of the next 3 customers who buy at least 2 bernos tees.
Published by August 13th, 2007 in Music and Poetry.
Mickey 1: Send this post to a friend
sounds like someone is smitten…
on the real. big ups to the braZer a very refreshing artist. i wish him nothing but success in the near future.
Mike-E is a very talented artist. I have seen him preform a few years a go and loved his energy. Above all, his extra ordinary inspirational music.
Great beats and great writing.
lol @ “shake my booty in jibouti”
he aint jay-z or nelly, …. but he sounds good …. brother is alright
He is truly and inspiring and humble individual in everyway.
Here is the one he did for the American Cancer Association
It’s funny I run into Mike-E here because just two days ago I stumbled upon his website and myspace page and liked what I saw, added him in my favs and was planning to share it… I liked what I called “The new Millennium Anthem of Hope of Ethiopians”, I am referring to the song ‘Everything will be Alright”… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MxsZwWvGeo
I don’t want to see another child on his own,
No shoes, no cloth, no food, no home…
Alright everything will be alright we can make it…
I’ll be purchasing his CD, although an authographed one might be worth having yeHulet t-shirt waga yemihogn yelegnim, unless beKebd tesetugn kalhone, oopsy dazy forgot what we’ve been discussing in the past weeks lol
thank you meron ,very talented lege ,and very cute as well .thank you yekeydama for sharing the vedeo ,i love the song specially how they mix the beat from ,erekum semedey,which my very favorite song .
Thank you Meru for sharing the talent and a humble Mike -E’s story with us.
I had the privilege of meeting him last year at the fundraising for Fistula. He is a great man with admirable talent and humanity.
God bless you Micky!!
Here is his Defjam Poetry piece he did entitled ‘Mezeker means to remember‘ , real powerful. I personally think he is a much better poet than a musician/rapper by far.
Ene Demo I think he is more of a performer, a public speaker… betam energetic nuew…
I enjoyed seeing him live very much, i hope success follows him!
He is ok. Just because other rappers rap about hos and bling that doesn’t mean he is better than them. I appriciate rappers that rap about hos and bling. That is how women this days behave and i appreciate rappers for that. They are also into humanitarian work in the Katrina disaster. Just want to let you know many rappers are helping in New orleans. Just becasue they rap about hos there is nothing wrong with that. I am a woman and I agree with the rappers who rap about hos. The hos do exist and they have to be confronted.
What’s up “ho” – Eyeru – is that how you’d like to be addressed? Ere yene konjo – I think women have passed beyond the point where we have to be defined by men.
I have to say at the outset that this whole issue of rap music and the exploitation of women is a strictly U.S cultural affair. See if some Azmare in Gonder will live after calling a Habesha women “ho.”
In terms of rap music it’s been some time since it came under the power of large music factories that control the rappers lyrics, image, videos (packaging them like you would package a dead fish at farmers market). All this geared to saturate the apetite of the fan base, suburban white kids.
So when you say your ok being called a “ho” – know that others in this racist society are going to see you – as a sexual perversion (something that already is reproduced in popular myth and media).
What happened to Rap music is what happened to the power of black/latino people in the US to define themselves and have control over their own cultural products Common said it best about the deniggeation of rap – “I Used to Love Her”.
BTW – Imus is looking for a secretary – any takers?
I say Mike E is more like an Ethiopian-American then an AA. I don’t know his music or much about him but he sounds interesting enough to look into.
LOL that was funny.
By who the pimps or the rappers?
Uhhh no! Maybe some women but not all. How many ho’s do you know to feel so comfortable with that label? If Santa Clause came down the chimney hollering ho, ho, HO would you give him a high five or put him in a headlock? lol
Can you tell us a little bit about the second picture? You guys are a little too close to each other and why is that?
Mike E. has got some skills… and he is feeling the Ethi. thang so it’s all love. Best success Mick E!
The rap industry has been getting so much heat since the Imus situation. I just hope that some rappers don’t start calling them “gardening tools” just wouldn’t flow well..lol
The CD’s are all gone thanks.
Firstly, I’d like to say thank you for introducing me to this artist.
Secondly, I have to say to Eyeru what needs to be confronted and changed are the conditions and mindsets that allow for so-called hos to exist, i.e. sexism, double-standards, male chauvinistic attitudes, patriarchal religions/societies, poverty. I know, I was a bit redundant, but I doubt that when you say ho, you’re talking about a man. And what’s not whorish about a man who uses a woman as a “jump-off” or “toss-up”??? Yes, even men can be hos.
Good Morning i read your blog often and wanted to wish you all the best for 2010!
This is probably the best England shirt ever made. The feel to the shirt is really smooth; it’s also very light and looks very nice. I bought this shirt because it looks nice and the name and number you can have on it is silver which is the only international shirt with silver writing but is rivalled by Italy’s gold writing. But the shirt is going to be used for the world cup 2010 so you might aswell get it now that it is only £30-35.