For many artists birthed in the digital era, the path of success has been well mapped. First you create an online buzz, then drop viral mixtapes, maybe a weekly freestyle series or moderately budgeted music videos, sign your deal, and finally drop your debut on a major. That’s how it happened for Asher Roth, Wale, Kid Cudi and B.o.B. But for Mickey Factz, who shared the XXL 2009 Freshmen cover with all of the aforementioned, things happened a bit differently.
After appearing on the Freshmen cover, Mickey went on to tour during Rock the Bells in 2009 and then become a spokesman for Honda, appearing in print and television ads for the company’s Accord model. At the beginning of this year, the Bronx, NY MC dropped thedarkphoenix#ALPHA mixtape and finally signed his first record deal with Battery/JIVE in May.
While his debut album, The Achievement, won’t drop until 2011, Mickey Factz is back to add to his musical buzz with his latest Heavy Hitter-helmed mixtape I’m Better Than You. [Download Now]. XXLMag.com caught up with the former Freshman to talk shop.
(Source: XXL)
