PREMIERE: MIK - Ghost Writer Mixtape

Crews are paramount in grime, and South East London rhymer MIK (short for Music Is Knowledge) comes from one of the scene’s finest: Family Tree crew. As part of a group that includes Ego, Faze Miyake, Merky Ace, Shifman, Splurt and TKO; MIK has become one of the most prolific MCs around, and you don’t need to listen to BBC Radio 1Xtra or Rinse FM much to hear his trademark bars rising over some sawtooth synths.

Despite his frequency, the Ghost Writer mixtape has been a long time coming. It was announced last Summer but now, with a release date of Dec 1st confirmed, we've got the premiere of ten exclusive tracks from the record - which features grime beacons like Footsie, Kozzie, Flava D, Devilman and many more.

We caught up with MIK to find out more about these tracks, and why it’s his first major body of work in over a year.

Noisey: What’s one of your favourite tracks on this mixtape?

MIK: Listen, man, you walk into a sweet shop, yeah? You’re walking into Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, man, and you can’t just pick one favourite sweet. There is too much to choose from. I can’t even pick five favourites!

What about recommending a track for someone who has never listened to you before?

I cater for all demographics on this yeah? There is a tune on there called “Spar Off” for people who like the angry grime stuff. There is a tune called “Omega” where I’m going deep, talking about my life. You give me a person that lives a certain lifestyle and I’ll tell you.

Okay, what about new, younger grime fans?

Okay, in that case, maybe a tune like “Cash in Hand”, because that’s all hype. The people that are just getting into grime are the younger people who are looking for hype tunes like “German Whip”. So, there are tunes on here like “New Ting” and “Spar Off” for that. I’ve given you lot ten tunes haven’t I? Of the ten tunes, just flick through them and I guarantee you will like all ten, bruv!

Are you still doing clashes at the minute?

I did Lord of the Mics in 2012, but there hasn’t been many opportunities since then. You know why? Because, for clashing opportunities you need opponents. All the older MCs that I’ve come up around, I know them, so I’m not gonna get into a tiff with them. These newer guys, I don’t see a problem with them lyrically. Without sounding like flippin’ Bill Gates, I don’t really believe they are on my level to be warring with them. If a problem does occur, and I feel the situation makes sense, then we can definitely get into a spat. We can get into a spar off. But, right now, the whole clashing thing is a bit iffy, because there isn’t much competition out there. That’s how I feel, that’s how MI feels (me).

And what about raves?

I’ve had plenty of people email me saying we want you here. But if the situation doesn’t make sense, then I’m not leaving my house for it. If I worked in McDonalds, and I got an offer to work in Dixy Chicken, I’m not going there, you know what I’m saying? But if I worked in McDonalds, and I got an offer from flippin’ Bill Gates, or Richard Branson… I’d go, do you know what I’m saying? I understand it from promoters level, they need to make money, revenues and stuff. But if it can’t make sense for me then I can’t go. It’s got to that point in my life where I can’t be going to certain places just for Nandos peri peri chicken vibes.

So where do you get your practice?

Radio. Although YouTube is a great outlet right now - it really pops off. But radio is the essence of it. It’s all there, on the spot. As soon as you’ve said something, somebody has heard it, in that moment.

What’s your thoughts on The Square, since they are also from South East London?

I rate what they are doing in terms of being out there and about. But, I compare everyone to Family Tree when it comes to lyrical ability, and I don’t think their lyrical ability is up there with ours at all. Ours is second to none. But I rate what they are doing in terms of awareness. Not taking shots, because they are young.

Who’s your next big thing?

Everybody is screaming Stormzy. But one day you’re the next big thing, then another day, Peter who lives upstairs from the kebab shop is the next big thing. You just never know, man.

Thanks MIK.

MIK's Ghost Writer mixtape is out on Dec 1st. Buy it here.