MBK (My Brother’s Keeper)

Welcome back Fam! It is time once again for a brand new interview here in the Faygoluvers’ Underground Spotlight and damn do we have a good one for you.

Fresh off of their performance at the first annual Dark Carnival Games Convention, MBK takes the time to give us a more in depth look at this hard working, talented and passionate group. We delve in to a little bit of everything from their dealings with RBC, their latest work, a possible tour in the works and a little acquaintance you may know who goes by the name Rittz.

Either way, we have a lot to cover… so, let’s get started already….

    Johnny O: First off, I’d like to welcome you to the Faygoluvers’ Underground Spotlight and thank you for taking the time out for this interview. Can you start us off with a brief introduction of MBK for the Fam?
    MBK: MBK is My Brother’s Keeper, Alaz, Myke X, and Sixx Digit

    JO: So, before we continue, can you please give us a little insight into the name MBK?

    MBK: MBK stands for unity among all humans, all races. Keepers of brothers of all colors.

    JO: Being from the Midwest, how was the music scene growing up?

    MBK: It was an incredible time to be a young fan. Local shows were sold out every weekend. I was lucky enough to see house of krazees, esham, countless ICP shows, bedlam, hells kitchen, you name it. Being so close to Detroit, we caught all that wicked shit. I’d say in the late 90s those “local” shows and bands, were far more important than anything else in town.

    JO: What has it be like in your own local scene in recent years?

    MBK: Much like everywhere, its suffered. Its hard work to fill the house now. Dont get me wrong, the fans are great, and the support is real, but we live in a time now where its almost easier to just watch a concert on youtube. Plus, the internet created a free for all where anyone can be a rapper or join a band.

    JO: How did all of you come together? What brought about the decision for you all to collaborate and work on as a group?

    MBK: We have all been friends or acquaintances for years, and even been in other groups and projects together at different points, and when we started to record the first album there was no plans to tour as a group, just wanted to make a couple songs and collaborate. It just came easy, and sort of took on a life of its own.

    JO: Since you’ve all done solo projects as well, what has it been like working as a collective group as opposed to working on music alone?

    MBK: We were all solo, but also no strangers to working in a group. Obviously in a group, there’s a vote, and you have to sway others opinions to kind of get your shit over, where as solo you just pull the fuckin trigger and do it, but that works for the better because you need to channel your ideas thru a filter so your homies dont let you drop some lame shit. 3 heads are better than one.

    JO: I know that recently you MBK signed a one-album deal with RBC, how did this come about and how has the process been?

    MBK: A good friend, and business partner of ours M Eighty, was working there at the time, and put us in front of the right people. We signed a digital distribution contract, and they got us some love as far as ad placements for the album, and what not. That helped legitimize what we were doing, and the co sign alone opened some doors but ultimately we decided our best option was to buy out, and re release the album on our own. RBC was good to us tho, nothing bad to say about them. Just financially from where we stood, it was better to restart on our own.

    JO: What can fans expect from the album and how would you say it differs from your previous work?

    MBK: The new record is everything that was great about the first, but much more developed. The sound is a bit darker. Not heavy, but just a more realer tone. Donny Knotz did a lot of the production again, which is a big part of MBKs sound. We do a lot more story telling too, than ever before. I think this new shit is gonna appeal to every underground fan. We find a way to be traditionally untraditional, if that makes sense.

    JO: While you’ve worked and performed with some big names in the underground scene, it seems like Rittz has become a fan. How did that relationship begin?

    MBK: Alaz reached out to him for a feature before MBK. We ended up remixing the track for MBK later. Rittz is just a genuine good dude. Never acted one lil bit Hollywood to us. He’s always reposted our music, vouched for us countless times, given us golden advice, but beyond all that, he’s a good friend. Alaz went to his wedding, when I got married he brought us on stage to toast us with a shot of crown. Like…Rittz is straight up a good dude. He’s sort of MBKs sensei. Lol

    JO: Marketing, branding, great performances and truly being down to earth with you fans definitely seem to be things you take very seriously. This is something I find that is underrated in our industry, how has the push for MBK been and how have the fans taken to you style of music?

    MBK: Coming up in Toledo, and Michigan we seen how independent music is supposed to be done. We owe it all to the groups I mentioned earlier because all we did is study that. We all started doin music in the 90s. Its been a long time coming and a lot of hard work. Our music and our message transcends so many demographics. We can play anywhere, and get over. A few people thought Juggalos maybe wouldn’t get what we were doing, because its not typical serial killer music, but I KNEW it would get over, because I’m a fuckin Juggalo! I know what I like to hear, so thats what I write, ya know?

    JO: Are there any tidbits in the works that you could let us in on?

    MBK: New album is being recorded currently, we have Rittz, Lil Wyte, and a few others on the new shit, and were trying to negotiate a summer tour now with ABK, so hopefully we have some info on that for you soon.

    JO: Where can fans or perspective fans find more of you work or even pick up the new album?

    MBK: It will be on itunes, amazon, all the major retailers, and a slew of mom and pop shops in the midwest. We will have it up on the website too I assume.

    JO: Over the years, I’m sure you all have had your share of musical influences.

    MBK: Who would you each say have been your biggest influences in your career? My top 3 is Guns N Roses, Michael Jackson, ICP

    JO: On the reverse side, we all have those that keep us going in tough times. Who has always been there for you, kept you pushing and believed in you?

    MBK: Donny Knotz probably kept me doin music when I could have cared less, invested time and money in my dreams. And at the risk of sounding cliche, my wife. She keeps me humble, and makes shit like touring easier. I’d probably turn around and go home after 2 days if she didnt talk me down.

    JO: If given the chance to reach out to one artist for a collaboration, who would you choose and why?

    MBK: I would say Axl Rose. His songwriting is mind blowing, and he could school the piano on the track too. I can hear his rap skills a little bit too on tracks like “my world”

    JO: Well, whom could we find each of you currently listening to?

    MBK: Right now in the car I got Pantera, Rittz, Prince, and Mighty Death Pop

    JO: Everything else aside, is there anything you’d like to say to the Faygoluvers’ family before we sign off?

    MBK: We appreciate Faygoluvers for always showing us love, and being cool as fuck, givin us a platform to connect with the Juggalo family, and we hope to talk to yall many many more times!

    JO: As always let’s end this thing on a happy note with some shout outs.

    MBK: Shout out Cindo, Donny Knotz, Jakey, Kotton, Pesina

    Unfortunately that does wrap up another edition of the Underground Spotlight, but damn was it a good one. I want to thank Alaz, Myke X, Sixx Digit and the whole MBK crew. Big things seem to be on the horizon and these guys should definitely be on your radar if they aren’t already. Make sure to check out the links below for more.

    Oh, and be on the look out. There are so many Underground Spotlight interviews in the pipeline, just waiting to be unleashed. So, expect more soon and if you’ve set in information for consideration, you will be hearing from me shortly.

    Now before I officially sign off, as always if you would like to be featured right here on the Underground Spotlight, shoot me an e-mail at JohnnyO@faygoluvers.net. Make sure to include a short bio, why you would like to/should be featured, a track or two and a couple of pics. Of course, don’t forget to include UGS or something similar in the subject line. So, until next time…

    Peace,

    Johnny O.

     

    LINKS: 

    MBK Website

    MBK Twitter

    MBK Instagram

    MBK Snapchat @therealmbk419



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