Mychael Gabriel on New Single ‘Let There Be Light’
Genesis is more than just the start of something. It’s the beginning of everything. After Genesis, anything is possible; before Genesis… well, there is no before Genesis. And how does the tale of Genesis commence? With a single utterance, a speech-act that transforms the cosmos. “Let there be Light,” and light is summoned into being. The rest, quite literally, is history.
Singer, songwriter, producer, and fire-starter Mychael Gabriel’s story is unique and compelling. His story begins when his parents met during the Prince’s historic PURPLE RAIN World Tour. Mychael’s father, Gilbert Davison was part of Prince’s personal security detail on the Purple Rain tour and eventually became Director of Security, Prince’s Manager and President of Paisley Park. Mychael’s mother, Connie, was Sheila E.’s road manager and co-lyricist. Mychael is also Sheila E.’s co-producer, lead guitarist, studio engineer and collaborator. This Minneapolis-grown singer and songwriter is bent on exploring the never-ending sonic space that is music. A multi-dimensional artist in more ways than one, Mychael Gabriel is on a mission to break the barriers of what is and what could be. His unique creativity is in a constant state of evolution and innovation, guaranteeing that each new release spells an experience unlike any other. Mychael’s music has been recognized as infusing elements of the Minneapolis sound with a guitar style of Jimi Hendrix and dynamic vocals.
As a writer, producer, arranger, engineer, mixer, musician, Mychael Gabriel has worked and collaborated with iconic talents Sheila E., Stevie Wonder, Ringo Starr, Hans Zimmer, Usher, John Legend, Snoop Dogg, Beck, Common, Gary Clark Jr., St. Vincent, Miguel, H.E.R., Earth Wind and Fire, Gloria Estefan, the Escovedo Family, George Duke, George Clinton, Freddie Stone (of Sly and the Family Stone), just to name a few. His work has been featured on MasterClass, DreamWorks Animation, ABC Network, 2007 and 2012 Latin Grammy Awards, 2016 BET Awards, Super Bowl XXVI, 2020 Grammy Awards, 2020 Grammy Salute to Prince. Mychael has proved time and again his merit on some of the world’s biggest stages and alongside music legends.
Mychael is too humble and devout to liken himself to the Almighty. But he, too, is engaged in the act of gainful conjuration. He plugs in, turns up, and, suddenly, all possibilities open. “Let There Be Light,” his new single, is a statement of purpose and a momentous introduction; it kicks off the Genesis album which in of itself, is a biblical allegory, drawing back the curtain on the universe. It’s a little Creation: a thunderclap, a propulsive beat, a scratchy guitar riff, a committed vocal. Throughout, Mychael Gabriel keeps one eye on the dance floor and one eye on heaven.
“Let There Be Light” is also an opportunity for the Minneapolis artist to showcase his formidable musical talents. He’s a funk master, sure. In the long tradition of Twin Cities popular music, Mychael adheres to no genre while respecting all styles. It’s rock, soul, R&B, blues, and gospel all at once, and the star crowns the song with a solo reminiscent of the fearless six-string masters of the Seventies. Like all the songs on Genesis, “Let There Be Light” could be a chronicle of spiritual discovery — or it could simply be heard as words of encouragement, inspiration, and an entreaty to all of us to be the best and most energetic versions of ourselves.
Speaking about the song, Mychael Gabriel says, “‘Let There Be Light’ was like the awakening moment of a musical and spiritual journey that became the Genesis album. I really wanted to start the record off with a bang. When inspiration finally struck, it hit hard. I was able to write this song in about thirty minutes. Concept, story, purpose, and vision were such an integral part of this record as a whole. That is the common thread which I feel makes the whole multi-genre idea work. You need to have a compelling story to tell – and that’s what I set off to do.”
As befits a video for an incendiary track, the “Let There Be Light” clip finds Mychael Gabriel dressed in red from head to toe. There’s nothing infernal about his presentation, though — he’s just a spirit of illumination and an embodiment of vitality, spreading joy and good news. Gabriel puts his formidable multi-instrumentalism on display, sitting at the drums, cooing into the microphone, and slinging the electric guitar around his neck and wailing. When he kicks at a floor full of red balloons as he’s playing, he generates a perfect visual metaphor for the flurry of notes that come from his fingers. He’s a force of nature and a font of creation, making waves wherever he goes.
How have your familial ties to the music industry and your ever-growing portfolio of experience working with numerous legendary artists influenced your music making?
They say you learn the most from first hand experience right? The thing is, sometimes you don’t realize the importance of something until you look back. I’m always in the moment of what I am doing at the time, and focused on accomplishing whatever the task at hand is. But I can say with absolute certainty, I feel immense gratitude for the experiences I’ve been blessed to have, especially in working with legends of music. These experiences have most definitely helped shape and mold me into the musician I am today.
How do you describe your musical voice and sound? What genres do you gravitate most toward and how are they represented in your art?
I like to paint with large brush strokes when it comes to my musical voice. Mostly because my interests in music is so broad. In this moment – the MPLS sound, funk, rock’n roll are strong felt for the purpose of creating the organism that is the “Genesis” album. I write songs based on sentiment and the “feeling” I want to come across in my music. Genre is just another tool that helps get that point across. Just like instruments, one genre my lend more to a particular sentiment than others. It all depends on the feeling I want represented in my art.
You said that “Let There Be Light” was written in about 30 minutes. Where did you suddenly find the inspiration, and how was the creative process carried out from there?
I love polysemantic story telling. The concept of “Genesis” being part Biblical allegory was a huge catalyst for the inspiration of the entire album itself. The first words God spoke were “Let There Be Light.” At around 1:00am on a random evening, that sudden realization catapulted me into a transcendent state-of-mind *laughs*, what musicians like to call “the zone.” Thirty minutes later, you have a song.
What is the main theme and message of “Let There Be Light,” and what do you hope listeners takeaway after hearing the song?
From an allegorical sense, “Let There Be Light” is meant to be seen from the perspective of God Himself. Taking into account that we are playing with multiple themes and meanings, the biggest takeaway for the listener, is to speak with an internal voice of confidence, inspiration, and reckless abandon. Awaken the Light in oneself.
What was your experience shooting the “Let There Be Light” music video?
Pure fun! We go into these shoots with a hyper-realized notion of what we want to accomplish from both a creative and technical perspective prior to the shoot day. Knowing the details have been sorted out in pre-production actually allows for the shoots to be more spontaneous and expressive. It was great seeing the vision come to life before our very eyes.
How does “Let There Be Light” align with your upcoming Genesis album? What other projects are in the planning stages or in the works for later down the line?
I’ve always envisioned this collection of music as a visual album. It’s important for me to lay out the visual narrative of the story that is “Genesis” as well. “Let There Be Light” is opening the first door in a house with many rooms. I’m excited to share what’s next visually.
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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.
