Published on August 13th, 2016 | by Dr. Jerry Doby

Made in Mississippi: Mike Caesar

Mike Caesar (@mike_caesar) is a regional rapper and model, with a fan-base mostly expanding from Texas to Florida. Mike has worked for Ralph Lauren, Timberland, Hennessy, and currently holds residency as a host/celebrity liaison at Villa Lounge & VLIVE Gentleman’s Club, both in Dallas, Tx. Mike also works with the W.A.I.T. Foundation on spreading awareness for mental health awareness, homelessness, and domestic violence awareness.

Community minded, proceeds from his “Gotta Ball” anthem, are donated to the Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation and the Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization dedicated to rebuilding the victims of domestic violence.

I’m going to confess that I ended up listening to Mike Caesar’s whole da*m songlist on SoundCloud…*ish just flowed perfectly every song fit just right. Delivery was on point and he optimized some key joints like “Money Dance” ft. The Dream and the recent single “Hoe Train” with curren$y, showing diversity and powerful content. Overall rating of his body of work I had access too…4/5 consistently better throughout his work. He’s legit. ~ JD

What brought you to the entertainment industry, music specifically?

I started writing as a form of therapy. It went from thoughts, to short stories, to poetry. Jay-Z’s “Reasonable Doubt” and T.I.’s “Trap Muzik” are the two albums that let me know I really wanted to rap. Tip’s music was just so relateable to me. I wanted someone to hear my story, and feel the same exact way about me; that “he’s speaking for me” feeling is amazing.

What do you want people get from your music?

Honestly, a more well rounded view of black male rappers, and Mississippi musicians in general. Everything isn’t about trappin’, shooting, being a super og, look at my car, and all that. Some of us have to be great fathers, lyricist, business men, and stand up guys.

Tell us about your current project.

E.A.R.L.Y. (Everybody Ain’t Real Like You) is a mixtape and EP that was released first week of August to great reviews. We trended in Dallas for a while. You can get the mixtape on all mix sites, and the ep on iTunes, and all music sites. The title is self explanatory; the music is really for the fans. My last release, Last Night’s Pizza, won 5 awards, and we toured from November 15 – May 16; during that traveling I added to my fan base, and they were vocal about wanting another project. I have an album that will release before October. We’re just working.

For new listeners, what song of yours would you pick as an introduction to you as an artist?

“Imagine” and “Irony” are probably my two most honest songs.. “How High” is right there with them too. My female fans always say “How High” is accurate, when they meet me.

Tell us a bit about your work and passions OUTSIDE of music…

Being a father is most important. I also work with charities and community leaders to uplift and better the black community. Food and homeless drives, career workshops where we help with resume composition and job interview tips. Also, I mentioned that I work with the W.A.I.T. Foundation to spread mental health awareness. We really just want to be a bridge between information, and our brothers and sisters that don’t have access, or maybe don’t trust the presenters of the information.

Last but not least, HYPE wants to know…What’s your CRAZIEST “Where they do that at?!” aka WTF?! moment…

Lol, I’ve had several. Being in the music industry it happens. Craziest things to me are artist who don’t invest in themselves, but expect others to, and industry people who take artist’s money, then expect promo gigs and free looks. People really forget the business side of this thing.

AUDIO: Curren$y “I got The Keys” Remix

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About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.