Lyrical versatility shines on new single ‘Parallel’
from D.C. artist Mik’Que
WASHINGTON, D.C. – You never know when a life-changing flash of inspiration might strike. For D.C.-based rapper Mik’Que, it happened the first time he heard Kendrick Lamar’s first album, “Section 80.”
Though he’d been a fan of music for most of his childhood and had even played around with making music videos and free-styling with his friends, there was something about Kendrick Lamar’s album that unlocked a world of potential. It was the first time he really wanted to make music legitimately, and it was the first time he really appreciated the power of profound lyrics.
“That single album made me listen to his other albums and see how he evolved and changed and grew with his audience,” Mik’Que said. “I started learning about the business side of music and everything he did to get better, and it gave me inspiration. Not long after that, I started searching for studios and investing in myself. And the rest is history.”
In the years since, Mik’Que has seen some success with singles and mixtapes across multiple digital streaming sites. As he had consistently released single after single, he has slowly grown his audience and made a name for himself. Most recently, he dropped the single “Parallel” which he calls a “summertime-banger type of song.”
“The littlest thing can inspire me like with ‘Parallel,’ I was starting to get some royalties from Spotify on my previous song, ‘Proud,’ and it inspired me to write a new song,” Mik’Que said. “I released that last song around the New Year and it has a money-type theme to it. The royalties have been good and ‘Parallel’ paints a picture that parallels my life lately.”
More than anything, “Parallel” shows off the versatility that Mik’Que brings to the game. He can be very lyrical, but he can also whip any beat and can easily rap on anything or talk about any subject. He likes to tell stories from his life or touch on issues from within the culture, or even likes to look to the past for inspiration. But more than anything, it’s his lyrical versatility that stands out.
“I don’t want to have an EP or album that sounds the same as the one before,” he said. “I always want to explore something new and have something for everybody. That versatility and my lyrics are what make me stand out, I think. I can get technical, and I was more so when I first started. But I’ve become more lyrical over time and I think that helps me connect with people more.”
Mik’Que said he’s planning on putting out an EP of five or six songs by early November, and he’s currently working to book some shows throughout the Northeast later this year.
To listen to his music or to follow him on social media, please visit:
“Parallel”