MIKE Shares a New Song From Showbiz!, Unveils Tracklist

At age 26, the New York rapper is readying his 10th full-length LP, out January 31 via 10K Projects. Listen to “Bear Trap” below.

MIKE Shares a New Song From Showbiz!, Unveils Tracklist

Maybe it’s because I grew up almost exclusively on East Coast hip-hop, but every time MIKE drops a new song it flies into my listening rotation until the next one inevitably one-ups it. The New Jersey-turned-New York rapper continues to raise the bar for himself, not in search of glory, or fame, but out of respect for the craft, keeping his head down and nose to the proverbial grindstone until his rhymes were honed to a razor-sharp edge. Since debuting in 2017, MIKE’s dedication has paid off, garnering co-signs from the likes of the Alchemist and Earl Sweatshirt, and proving that, with every new feature, single and album, his status as one of rap’s contemporary, lowest-key greats. Last year, we named MIKE’s 2023 album Burning Desire as the 51st-best of the decade so far, and his 2024 effort with Tony Seltzer, Pinball, was our 44th-best album of the year.

Today, MIKE has unveiled a new entry from his forthcoming album, Showbiz!: “Bear Trap.” Showbiz! sees MIKE fully embracing his position as a trendsetter and creative tastemaker, offering up 24 new songs that showcase his experiences in the industry, both the good and the bad. To most, MIKE is at the top of the mountain, a certified hip-hop professional that has successfully circumnavigated the pitfalls of show-biz, but on “Bear Trap” he assures that fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

“Bear Trap” is more confessional than anything else. MIKE admits that money affords him a lavish lifestyle, but it can’t provide him with what he needs most: inner strength. He wrestles with his spirit, ignores his stress, and even though he’s self-aware, he struggles to be better. His deeply relatable profession is backed up by production from Darryl Johnson and dj blackpower, MIKE’s own producer alias. It’s a timeless piece of hip hop, complete with deep bass, a soulful vocal sample, and cascading piano chords that give the track that last bit of defining character, welcoming listeners back to the world of MIKE.

Watch the music video for “Bear Trap” and the tracklsit for Showbiz! below.

Showbiz! Artwork:

Showbiz! Tracklist:
Bear Trap
Clown of the Class (Work Harder)
Then we could be free..
Watered down
man in the mirror
Artist of the Century
What U Bouta Do?/A Star was Born (feat. 454)
Belly 1
Da Roc
The Weight (2k20)
Lost Scribe
You’re the Only One Watching
Lucky
#82
Too Hot (interlude)
Pieces of a Dream
Strange Feeling
Zombie pt. 2
Burning House
Showbiz! (Intro)
Spun Out
Miss U (feat. duendita)
When it Rains
Diamond Dancing (Broke)

 
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