Mikos Da Gawd releases new vocal EP, ‘Awakening’
In the last few years, Mikos da Gawd has taken big steps into becoming a full-fledged artist. His album, Hell Yeah, Brother!, was jam-packed with some of his best dancefloor-friendly hip-hop and soul music made brighter with features from frequent collaborators like Elujay, Tia Nomore and Rexx Life Raj. Mikos takes a leap again and records his own rhymes for Awakening, his latest EP out on Bandcamp. On it, the San Francisco-bred, now Los Angeles-based artist bears his triumphs and spirituality, how "keeping it gawdly" has been the guiding light on his journey thus far. Listen below. Awakening by Mikos [...]
Mikos Da Gawd’s “Hell Yeah, Brother!” album is finally here
Mikos Da Gawd has finally dropped an album and he's got damn near the entire Bay Area featured on it. Released on March 4 through Text Me Records, Hell Yeah, Brother! is lathered in the kind of bombastic hip-hop and slinky R&B the Bayview producer grew up listening to, added with the Mikos magic touch for silky melodies and bouncy, knocking drums. Creating the album was an arduous journey for Mikos, who had to unlearn then re-learn again advanced music theories and techniques to perfect and precisely measure all the colorful complexities strewn throughout the album. He writes: "The album [...]
Mikos Da Gawd drops “Alpines,” the first single from his upcoming album ‘Hell Yeah, Brother!’
The last we heard from Mikos Da Gawd, the Bay Area's go-to producer was flexing his vocal chops on record. Even as an emcee, the Bay Area's go-to producer maintains his soulful aesthetic, which we'll soon hear more of with the coming of his next album, Hell Yeah, Brother! out on March 4 through Text Me Records. Mikos is known to work best when he's collaborating with his buds and the fruits of that creative dynamic are sure to pop on this next project. The first single, "Alpines," features Oakland rappers Ricky Lake and Young Ocean trading verses over production [...]
Mixtape: The Bay Area’s Standout Hip Hop and R&B Producers
This episode first ran on KQED.org. Download: Mixtape: The Bay Area's Standout Hip Hop and R&B Producers (Podcast #426) The Bay Area's vibrant hip hop and R&B scenes include a wealth of talented MCs and singers, but it's often easy to forget the important behind-the-scenes role that music producers play in crafting great songs. A skilled producer doesn't just provide a instrumental backdrop for an artist to showcase their craft; instead, the best producers elevate their artists, adding emphasis that highlights a song's melodic immediacy or depth that demands repeat listens. This mixtape showcases a dozen songs from local hip [...]
Producer Mikos Da Gawd lends vocal chops to his latest, “Start Something New”
Mikos Da Gawd never stays quiet for too long — when he's not the go-to producer for Rayana Jay, Elujay, and Caleborate, he's releasing packages of loosies, or as he prefers, "some new shit." But Mikos has been doing some gourmet cooking in the kitchen. In his newest song, "Start Something New," Mikos serves up a side of vocals to the track's bouncy main course (the funky bassline, soulful chords, and tickling keys are signature Mikos), coaxing his muse to start anew and join him, in life, and on the dance floor.
Ticket Giveaway Wednesday: Jay Prince, Washed Out and more
(illustration: Cassidy Miller) To enter for a chance to win tickets to any show below, email contest@thebaybridged.com with the name of the band and the date of the show you’re entering in the subject line and your full name in the body of the email. Winners will be selected at random and notified via email. Wednesday, August 9 Jay Prince, Mikos da Gawd @ Rickshaw Stop 7pm, $15, all ages. Buy advance tickets here. Friday, August 11 Marty O'Reilly and the Old Soul Orchestra, Soul Jelly (members of Royal Jelly Jive) @ The Chapel 9pm, $15, all ages. Buy advance [...]
New Phone Who Dis? Showcase to feature Kyle Dion, Mars Today, Mikos Da Gawd, Social Work
San Francisco's Text Me Records brings back its monthly roster showcase and this month's edition features a nicely mixed crop of up-and-coming and seasoned R&B acts. At first glance, Kyle Dion looks like an amalgamation of R&B stars' best qualities — a retrofitted Frank Ocean (at certain angles) and gifted with a Gallant-esque falsetto. But there's an air of tenderness seeping through Kyle Dion that shines brightly in his music - songs such as "Cool Side of the Pillow" and "Hold on to Me" are vulnerable tracks in word and sound. His project, Painting Sounds, however, offers a more lively, [...]