Q&A: MIKEYY

Exploring the fast rising genre of hyperpop, 19-year-old Iraqi-Kiwi artist, multi-instrumentalist & producer Mikeyy delivers his latest energetic single “Notice Me” and there’s no doubt he’s turning heads with it! Teaming up with prominent Auckland producer Wells*, he chats to us about the song, his fave food spot in Wellington and more.

We’d love to know a little bit about your musical journey so far from when you first started singing and making music!

I’ve been playing music ever since my dad taught me how to play “Let It Be” by The Beatles when I was 5 years old. Whilst music was always a hobby in my life, when I was 15 I opened up a laptop and fell in love with producing, writing and recording music and dived into the deep end of making music my career.

Congrats on your latest track “Notice Me” - your voice is unreal and the drops in the chorus are out of this world! Can you tell us about the meaning of this track and the inspiration behind it?

Thank you so much!!! I wrote “Notice Me” at a time where my career was moving faster than it ever had. Despite things I had been chasing for so long finally happening, mentally I found myself in a weird space having moved away from Auckland to study music and away from my childhood friends. “Notice Me” is about everything in my life changing and me wanting to still hold on to what it was like before life became so serious and busy. P.S. Pernille and Horia - thanks for drinking soju with me on the beach that one time you kick started this song :)

We love soju! What was the writing and production process like for the song?

Super fun. Josh Naley aka Wells* co-wrote and produced the track and he was incredible to work with. My manager (Diaz Grimm) sent me a link to a hyperpop artist called brakence and I fell in love with his music. In the studio, Josh asked me if I’d ever heard of hyperpop and we went on a huge binge and yarn about our favourite hyperpop. I did NOT go into that session thinking I'd make “Notice Me” but it just happened. I told Josh I wanted a drop in the song, we sculpted the structure of a drop and the verses and as soon as he started playing those chords everything just came to me!!!

What were some of your highlights working on the track?

Definitely working with Josh, he was so easy to work with and I love how open he was to experimenting with the production element to the track and going outside the box.

Do you have more music on the way soon, and if so, what can you tell us about it?!

Yes I most definitely do. I’m a studio rat - I've been making new songs every day for about two months now and I'm so excited to show the world what they sound like. Definitely expect some songs produced by me coming up soon!!! Of all different styles as well. You wouldn't expect it listening to “Notice Me”, but I started on hip hop and I have so many musical influences that are driving the next wave of my music!

We can’t wait to hear your new stuff! Who are your biggest inspirations in music?

Ouch, that's tough. Kanye West has always been huge for me inspiration wise. The Beatles are what my father told me to aim for and that has never left my ears. Currently brakence, Glaive and ericdoa are inspiring the hyperpop elements to my new music which is really fun.

Who are some of your favourite NZ artists right now and are there any songs in particular that you love or connect with?

SO MANY TO LIST. CHAII is one of my favourites right now. “Might Just” with Kings and eleven7four has been on repeat for ages. Lee Mvthews are also playing in my headphones constantly. Their new Drax remix, all their classics and “Lights Out” are incredible. Luca George is somebody I've had the pleasure to be around recently and is one of the most talented human beings I've ever met. Lastly, Wellington based band Haven is absolutely insane live and I've learnt a few stage tricks from their frontman Ryan Connaghan who really knows how to command a crowd.

What do you love most about living in New Zealand? Do you have any favourite places to travel to or local spots to visit?

How well in relativity to the rest of the world we take care of our country. My parents immigrated here from Iraq and I’ve been back there a couple times and it puts into perspective how beautiful our country is. Currently, Pho Mo on Cuba Street is my favourite food spot. Josh always treats us well and the food is amazing!!!!!

What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learnt as an artist so far?

If you want music to be your career, you have to really love music. This journey will beat and batter you constantly, but never forget how it feels to be writing a track, the smile on your face when you get the final mix back and it’s HITTING. The good moments are what make it worth it, just don’t give up, dig in and really persevere.

Lastly, if you could say one thing to every person in the world, what would it be?

Be nice. It costs nothing.

Thanks so much Mikeyy! Make sure to keep up with him on Instagram, Spotify or Apple Music.