Down south hip-hop is alive on The University of Memphis campus as one student strives to make his sound heard.
Along with his double major in communications and Japanese, Michael Madison, also known as Mic Mad, is using his extra time to perfect his skills as a hip-hop artist.
"I made a tape with my cousin when I was 14," Madison said. "My cousin used his mouth for the beat box sounds."
Each month Madison produces a CD, featuring his songs and other underground artists.
"My CD is for anyone that listens to hip-hop or wants to open up his mind to a new sound," he said.
Madison journeyed into music further while taking a break from college in 2001.
He befriended Will Rivera, the Chief Executive Officer of Max-A-Million Entertainment. Madison soon became the vice president and dealt heavily with business relations of the company.
"In 2003 Big Wil was murdered," Madison said. "I kept the label going because I knew he would've wanted me to."
Madison said Rivera's passion was to watch artists grow and see them through the musical process.
"I put different artists out each month as a means of exposure for them," Madison said. "I don't make them pay for anything like studio fees."
A portion of the proceeds from Madison's CD will go to Rivera's family because Rivera was more of a brother than a friend, Madison said.While Madison's music is his true talent, he said he knows he must have other plans if the music doesn't happen.
"I have school, two jobs and my music," he said. "Broadcast and language translator is something I've always wanted to do."
Max-Out Vol. It is Madison's first CD and includes five of his original songs in addition to songs by other artists.
"'From Scratch' is a song about situations in my life and asks would I choose this route if I could start over again?" said Madison.The CD-making process can be an expensive one, but technology is providing cheaper alternatives.
"Technology has become so inexpensive that you can start a home studio for a couple thousand dollars," said Jon Frazer, assistant professor of recording technology. "The quality may not be as good as one of a commercial studio. However, Better than Ezra's first album went multi-platinum and was done themselves."
Mandrill "Drill" McLaughlin, junior communications major, is one of the artists featured on Madison's CD.
McLaughlin and Madison met in high school and have collaborated on this CD.
"Mic is a nice cat and our collaboration has proved beneficial for both of us," he said. "He has been on UGTV (underground television) recently and mentioned my name and that has helped out."Networking is an essential aspect of the music business in this town, McLaughlin said.
"Its beautiful when two people can come together and make music and both benefit from it," McLaughlin said. "I thank Mic for the kudos, respect and opportunities he's passed my way. If not for him doing that it would be one less voice heard."
