Mic Familiar

Mic Familiar, the talented rapper, has teamed up with the Chicago-based producer blackdaylight for their recent release, “Hard Phased.” This song takes you on a ride through blackdaylight’s mysterious beats and Mic Familiar’s deep, thought-provoking lyrics. It’s a good listen for those who appreciate abstract and experimental hip-hop.

Mic Familiar handles all the lyrics and vocals, while blackdaylight is the genius behind the beats and production. They first crossed paths in the early days of Tumblr, even before Yahoo took over. Mic Familiar was immediately drawn to blackdaylight’s unique production style and decided to reach out. They believed their styles would complement each other perfectly, and they were right. Blackdaylight’s music creates a backdrop that transports Mic Familiar’s lyrics to another dimension.

Their main influences include some heavy hitters in the hip-hop world like Tech N9ne, Aesop Rock, El-P, Mos Def, Atmosphere, Del The Funky Homosapien, and Eyedea and Abilities. You can hear these influences subtly woven into their music. “Hard Phased” was recorded and produced in the comfort of their own bedrooms, which is pretty impressive given the quality of the track.

Moving in to the lyrics, Mic Familiar goes deeply into complex issues in “Hard Phased,” including existentialism, a crisis of meaning, race, cynicism, the overwhelming age of information, and corruption. The song’s lyrics depict a person struggling with life’s and society’s complexities. Lines like “Star gazed and crippled across phased, Keeping the love like that’s what they all say, Wanna pray, Nothing’s safe, They’re deranged, what’s the matter?” express a feeling of dissociation and feeling alienated. “All love is fair play” speaks of an imperfect world where both love and justice are in short supply. It’s a song that inspires listeners to think on the state of the world and their place in it.

“Hard Phased” is a song that challenges you to think and feel deeply, all while jamming to blackdaylight’s amazing beats. It shows how powerful hip-hop is as a platform that can be used to express complex ideas and emotions. Mic Familiar and blackdaylight have created something truly unique here, and it’s definitely worth a listen for anyone who craves music that pushes boundaries and stimulates the mind. Satisfied but want more from him? Hit the links below - Swiispa

What was the creative process like for this particular "Hard Phased?"

"Hard Phased” was born from a genuine appreciation for Blackdaylight’s experimental production style. A lot of his music sounds like a journey through the human experience. Listening to one of his beats and sifting through his catalog really inspired me to dig within myself to match his energy on the song. We had met during the pre-Yahoo era of Tumblr and managed to find each other again years later. Once he gave me his blessing to release this song, magic was made.

Were there any challenges or breakthrough moments during the songwriting process for "Hard Phased?"

At one point, the song was a shelved idea because I had so much to say—almost too much to say. I’m also my own worst critic when it comes to writing a song. “Hard Phased” went through so many revisions before I decided to finally release it.

How does "Hard Phased" fit into your overall artistic vision?

This song was my place to really speak on themes of paranoia, anxiety, alienation, corruption, cynicism, and my feelings about how art and artists are treated in the industry. “Hard Phased” also kind of evokes a sense of fragility and uncertainty. A lot of the music I write is very introspective and can be interpreted in many different ways. I just hope the listener feels something when they listen to my music.

How do you approach creating something new and different?

When I’m not obsessing over the end product so much I know that I have something special. The process feels effortless. I don’t focus so much on who or what I want to sound like. The best way for me to make something new and different is for me to let go during the process.

What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced as a musician, and how did you overcome them?

I had and sometimes still have a love/hate relationship with my own music. When you listen to music it’s a whole different thing than creating it. I obsessed over the wrong things as an artist. I went through a lot of phases and run-ins with my ego. I would go from feeling like a god to feeling like a fool. Some of my peers even made fun of me for pursuing my dreams. I also at one point was obsessed with the attention that came with making music. Overcoming the insecurity, the unrealistic expectations, the external validation, and the need to compare myself to others was hard work. - The Punk Head

Mic Familiar and blackdaylight form the ultimate lyrical alliance on”Hard Phased “. Over a dark cinematic soundscape, the emcee delivers a vivid lyrical performance complete with thought-provoking and engaging rhyme schemes and concepts. - The Word Is Bond