MKHL

MKHL‘s self-directed music video sets for “12 On Me” sets the bar for his highly praised work, as he continues to carry a star-studded list of clientele. On MK’s latest offering, producer Josh Kelly crafts a beat capturing the frustration of MK’s vocal melodies while JiiP lends strings to set an overtone of a tragic escape, resulting in a sound like nothing you’ve ever heard before.
Enjoy the new music video for “12 On Me.” - Elevator mag

I'm heading to Manhattan to run some errands after visiting a friend in Williamsburg. As I enter the Lorimer L station, I hear a softly strummed guitar and voice that manages to cut through all the noise. He's caught the attention of several people waiting for the train, and a woman tosses some change his way: "This guy is actually pretty good."

When I decide to make an approach to introduce myself, it's in the quiet between two trains. Commuters are still shuffling determinedly, but the station is mostly empty; our troubadour is taking a break. I soon learn that the singer/songwriter goes by the moniker Poorly Made, but that his first name is Mikhael. His music, acoustic folk—which Mikhael compares to The Tallest Man On Earth or Ed Sheeran on his Facebook page—could easily capture a crowd most any Brooklyn venue. (His guitar case, scattered with crumpled dollar bills, makes it apparent he's doing at least doing somewhat alright for himself.) Over the course of our short chat, Poorly Made tells me about busking for a living, why he chose this particular station, and how much he makes in an hour.

How did you start performing in subway stations?

I went to film school for like a whole year, and then when I was done I was shooting a whole bunch of short films and stuff, but it was like, infrequent work. I’ve been playing guitar since I was 16, and I was playing for my friends one day and they were like ‘dude, just play on the subway.’ So I did! And that’s what I do now. [Laughs]

How do you choose your spot to play?

Usually what I do is, I’ll come in and I’ll see where most people come from. Like, from here, most people are coming from the G train, coming up towards this bench. So I sit up here because they have to come past me. But usually if I go to a spot and there’s someone else there, you just ask them when they’re finished and then you’ll just come back when it’s a better time. It’s like an unwritten list.

Have you ever had a conflict when someone wanted to play in your spot?

One time I was right here and right across from me on that bench, this dude just starts playing, and I was like [shakes head and starts playing guitar] and he left.

I can tell you have a bit of an accent, where are you from originally?

London.

How long have you been in the States?

I spent a year in Georgia, and I’ve been in New York for a year and a half, so two and a half years.

Aside from playing in the subway, do you ever book shows?

Oh yeah, I play all the time. I want to try and book my own shows soon, but right now I’m sticking to open mics and tryouts—things like that. Doing my recordings here and there. I played the Hollow Nickel Battle of the Bands. That’s the only battle of the bands I’ve ever been in, actually, and I won.

How much money do you usually make an hour, if you don't mind my asking?

Like, ten, twelve an hour?

Thanks so much for talking to me. I'll let you get back to work.

For more on Poorly Made, and to hear more of his music, check him out Facebook. - COMPLEX

As racial tensions in the U.S. build MKHL finds his voice in the new music video for 12 on me.

Shot, Edited and Directed by MKHL this video also sets the tone for MK’s future work as an official VEVO artist working with Afromartian and S.M.E

Producer Josh Kelly crafts a beat capturing the frustration of MK’s vocal melodies while jiiP lends strings to set an overtone of a tragic escape resulting in a track like nothing you’ve heard before.

Stand for something.

Available for purchase:
Itunes – http://apple.co/2uXyB65
spotify – – http://spoti.fi/2vPbDPV
amazon – http://amzn.to/2w932u6
google play – http://bit.ly/2id60ba

IG & Twitter
@mkhlmusic

SME
Afromartian

Performances by Alexis Montoya & Jac Brainchild - TRIPLE HQ

MKHL is fresh off dropping his latest single 'Low'. We had a chance to link up with him for an exclusive interview to give you an in-depth look into 'Low', the lyrics of the track and his future dreams.

What does this song mean to you?

The song means alot to me. In the track I'm talking about the battle we all face against depression and how we often think that just because someone has found success they can't feel down or... well, low I guess.

What was a time you felt 'Low'? What did you do to overcome it?


I, like may artists, often battle a demon of self doubt. i made the song while watching Kanye's breakdown actually.

I always feel like I might not be good at this, that i'm just fooling myself into thinking this will go anywhere. I get through it by remembering my grandmother and how proud of me she was. My family is always there to, sometimes they'll just send me a message out of the blue telling me how much they love me and admire what i'm doing. It's the little things that keep me going, the support from the people you hold close can really save you some times.
I also came to a point where i realized i was making the music to say something, not impress anyone. That's what really helps me keep going.

Share some lyrics from the track tell us the meaning behind the lyrics

Well I guess the hook would be the part that i took the most time on.

"Through the glass house

They don't see nah

Ooo they know bout him

They don't see nah

From the other side

They don't see nah

He don't wanna die

Make a scene yeah"

The glass house represents the camera lens, people seeing you but only seeing what's represented in that picture, they don't hear you.

The lines

"He don't wanna die

Make a scene yeah"

Comes from what we all see happen to most major iconic figures. Eventually paranoia sets in and they start acting out, making speeches and doing anything to be seen. Sometimes its a fear of becoming irrelevant, other times its the frustration of having everyone listen but not being heard. The only thing that stays the same is our assumption they they're just doing it for money and nothings really wrong until its too late.

What are you trying to do next?


For 2017 i plan to just put out more videos and keep that content coming. Ill be setting up a few shows in NY too. Im working with some really great artists like East Zillan (@e_zilla) who's featured on the hook of low, JIIP a musical genius who slayed the strings in the final chorus, Troy Atlas (@troyatlasmusic) an old school hip hop style lyrical monster, William willson and so on.

All amazing artists I met in NYC but I also plan to start expanding out of NY and work with artists in other states too.

Through this year I plan to drop a few more singles and then a project that I haven't named yet.

I plan to take the new style of hip hop and reintroduce the lyrical content. I'm a fan of the old school but I do love the vibe that new artists like Migos and Travis Scott have brought to the game. I wanna carve out my own lane using their influences and use my own voice to reach as many people in a positive way as possible

In the same vain of making sure my career is always focused on my fans and being a product of the people that support me, I launched a GoFundMe to fund my promotions and everything else musically.

Here's the link to that:

http://www.gofundme.com/fund-for-promoting-my-music

Where can people find you?

My main outlet right now is Youtube, facebook and my Instagram is @MKHLmusic

I'm a photographer and cinematographer too so i just really enjoy other people's work. I find youtube and IG feel the most personal. It's just easy to reach out and find great content. So far facebook has been showing the most love though, the video release for Low went way further than I'd first imagined.
What is your dream in 2017?

For 2017 i plan to just put out more videos and keep that content coming. Ill be setting up a few shows in NY too. Im working with some really great artists like East Zillan (@e_zilla) who's featured on the hook of low, JIIP a musical genius who slayed the strings in the final chorus, Troy Atlas (@troyatlasmusic) an old school hip hop style lyrical monster, William willson and so on.

All amazing artists I met in NYC but i also plan to start expanding out of NY and work with artists in other states too.

What advice can you give someone feeling 'Low'?

My advice for someone feeling low? Well I have a song called "graduation" for that (laughs). I guess I'd tell them to remember that you can't be happy without being sad. Every sunrise comes with a sunset so when you feel like you're so low that you can't even breath, just think about how amazing your going to feel when your through it, so much stronger and get to look back.

WATCH THE NEW VIDEO 'LOW' - STEREOTYPE CO.

MKHL’s starting to make himself known in the professional recording and music industry. Through his dedication to music, the diligent artist is leaving a stamp with cutting edge songs and lyrics. As a music artist as well as an entrepreneur, don’t be surprised to see MKHL in the biggest publications. Only highlight reel type of work can be expected moving forward from this emerging artist.

Inspired by the sounds of Kid Cudi and Travis Scott, this northwest London artist takes on alternative hip hop by combining the new booming 808 feel with old school lyrical rap to create an emotionally driven masterpiece. MKHL is a NYC film school grad who has untapped potential and an undying will. His first interview ever was with Complex Magazine that just so happened at the L Train Station, where he’d been busking for several days, where journalist Nathan Reese pulled out a recorder and started asking questions.

“Seeing myself in the magazine that I’d aspired to be in for so long as my first interview ever was the only sign I needed to dedicate my life to music entirely,” he reveals. MKHL’s most recent project is his song “Low” that’s currently on YouTube gaining almost 1K views a day, now at 29,000, and out on all major streaming platforms. He also has a collection of singles that he’ll be be releasing throughout the year.

Official website: www.mkhlmusic.com - RUDEBOY MAG.