Parisian rapper MIKANO has been lucky enough to visit the four corners of the world during the first part of his life. At 17, his family settled in Paris, where he began composing and writing, inspired by the music that touched him at each stage of his life and travels.
Made for those who love the sound of Frank Ocean, Blood Orange, or Kid Cudi, the multitude of influences set rapper MIKANO apart from the rest. With a unique sound never heard before, MIKANO brings forth an intimate and deep sound while juggling lightness and strength.
Taking his listeners from one extreme to another, MIKANO is a natural at transporting his audience through various headspaces. “Tell a Lie” is a track that does this extraordinarily, tinged with his immaculate flows and fresh vigor.
Hailing from his EP titled ‘AKWA II,’ this record is a modern poem about honesty and human relationships. As we unravel the contents and the heartfelt essence behind it, MIKANO’s words manage to embed themselves into our minds.
The compelling core of the instrumentation transmits some dark undercurrents that complement his vocalization in such a thoughtful manner. In MIKANO’s performance of “Tell a Lie,” he transitions between a melodic projection in his cascades, and raw, rapped verses that leave an impact.
We’re kept on our toes throughout each verse as we eagerly await the delivery he’ll embark on at any given time, all while he emphasizes specific lyrics that leap from the speakers.
MIKANO succeeds at bringing comprehensive lyrical motifs to life as he finesses each groove in this record. Presenting us with a testimony of our wrong behaviors, MIKANO’s presence offers a calming sense to the listening experience, even though the words he utters are drenched in the cold hard truth.
Bringing life to “Tell a Lie,” we’re left wanting more as we digest the remarkable energy and message that MIKANO conveys long after this record ends.
Welcome to BuzzMusic, MIKANO. Congratulations on the release of “Tell a Lie.” After a deep listen to this song, it’s apparent how much we admire the extensive creativity reflected throughout. Was there a particular moment or story that inspired the words heard in “Tell a Lie?"
Thank you, guys! There was no particular story; it was just the result of my life experiences that made me realize somehow, everybody feels divided on that matter. We’re all lying sometimes because we’re afraid to hurt, so sometimes it comes from a genuine feeling, and the song is made to question whether it’s a good idea.
You manage to convey your work effortlessly. With such a unique style of artistry, how did you come to find your sound?
Sutus, my brother and main beatmaker, is the reason. We started making music together, and from this point, we evolved and became more comfortable creating our sound. We’ve got different influences, but we are connecting on many similarities. I think this is what helped me design my style.
How does “Tell a Lie” fit into the scope of your EP ‘AKWA II’? What other themes can listeners expect to find throughout the body of work?
It fits perfectly because the EP is based on honesty, personal growth, and the desire for freedom. "Tell a Lie" is one of the main tracks that embody those themes, alongside "Cycles" and "Changes," which I believe to be as powerful as this one even though they’re less energetic.
Listeners will be happy to know that a music video accompanies the sound of “Tell a Lie.” What can you tell us about the creative process you embarked on to tell the visual tale?
I had a meeting with Ferina at the time, the director for "Tell a Lie" and "Touché Coulé," and it was a short conversation because he knew exactly where I wanted to go with this. We just wanted to portray different « regular » situations that make us feel forced to lie. That’s why we picked three approaches: through family, friends, and lovers. It was important for us to choose these because it’s something that anybody can relate to; it’s a universal statement.
What’s next for you?
Lots of surprises, haha can’t really say it for now, but I was already working on what’s coming next. It’s really an everlasting journey. But we’ve got vinyl coming your way and a couple of shows for now. Stay tuned! And stay safe!
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