BIOGRAPHY
Pioneer
Mic King is rising
Michael King’s stage name may seem a bit tongue in cheek, but when considering his origins as a formidable battle rapper from Philadelphia, there’s nothing more apropos.
Michael King’s stage name may seem a bit tongue in cheek, but when considering his origins as a formidable battle rapper from Philadelphia, there’s nothing more apropos. Over time, though, the name Mic King has grown and evolved to encompass much more than what inferior emcees might view as a threat. With the launch of his rap career in the early aughts, King went from exciting new up-and-comer alongside labelmates Jean Grae and Fall Out Boy, to successful founder and CEO of a digital marketing agency over the course of a decade. Unlike fellow rappers-turned-business moguls like Jay-Z, King’s career path to the executive boardroom was more unorthodox.
A Howard University dropout with a background in computer science, King released numerous well-received mixtapes and one-off projects, all while conquering the battle rap scene and relentlessly touring the world. Upon signing a multi-album deal with Uprising Records in 2006, King released Mike and the Fatman, a collaborative concept album with Demigodz producer Chum the Skrilla Guerilla. The pair went on to collaborate on two more projects, Flavor Ade and Cool-Aide. At the time, King continued to perform around the world, sharing stages with acts like the Wu-Tang Clan, Rakim, Nas, and J. Cole. King’s crowd engagement at live shows was unmatched, as he would blindfold himself and launch into a freestyle description of any object handed to him by audience members. Technically proficient, incisive, and all too real, King thrilled audiences whenever he stepped into the spotlight.
While the trajectory of King’s rap career was on a steady incline, he eventually became disillusioned with the process and began his journey into the world of business. King landed numerous jobs with ad/marketing agencies and, as he gained experience, seized the opportunity to channel his writing ability and commanding stage presence as a keynote speaker for thought leadership events around the world. As much as he loved Hip-Hop and music, King found real purpose inspiring the business world as well. In 2014, King became his own boss, officially launching iPullRank, an NYC-based Marketing agency “behind Fortune 500 winning strategies”. As his business grew, King purchased the beloved UGHH brand. And after twelve years in the boardroom, life, labor, and love during a decade-long hiatus from music, one of Hip-Hop’s most dynamic champions returned in 2021 with the iCONIC EP. With heady lyricism over hard-hitting, soulful beats reminiscent of 01-03 Rocafella, the project is a triumphant return to form for King. While the music imbues a gritty, fervid sound that has been long lost since that era, the subject matter portrays a more mature Mic King, examining success, growth, and perseverance. It’s entrepreneur rap from a now family man and successful CEO that regularly sits across the table from C-Level executives of Fortune 50 companies and is positioned at the top of his industry. King continues to blaze a trail all his own and is in the process of writing a book about SEO for Wiley publishing.
Rapper / Entrepreneur
Mic King
From the moment he entered the world, Michael King — the man who would become an iCON — knew he was destined for something special. At his birth, his century-old great-grandmother took one look at the future MC and declared him, “the chosen one.” It’s a proclamation that would make some crunch under its weight, but King was ready to rise to the challenge.
At the tender age of six, King found himself riding along with his uncle on rain-slicked Philadelphia streets. The duo were bound for the local hospital, where King’s mother was wrapping up a shift. King can still remember the R&B playing softly on the radio when the Cadillac slammed into their vehicle and sent the six-year-old soaring through the front windshield. Once more, a moment that would have ended a normal person saw King walk away untouched.
It seemed fate had something more in store for the youngster.
It didn’t take long for King to feel the pull of music. Wherever he went, it seemed he was drawn to the dulcet tones of whatever happened to be playing. Young King yearned to contribute to that ever-growing tapestry of art that seemed at the fringes of every person’s existence.
It was one fateful day, while leafing through an old Milestone Comic, that lightning struck. As he poured over the tales of a black superhero, King knew he wanted to be this powerful, to right his own wrongs and bring daring new art to the world. And so he adopted the name of the titular Milestone Hero: ICON.
And thus was born a legend, iCON the Mic King. Armed with his mantle and buoyed by his burgeoning talent, our hero hit the thriving underground rap scene in Philadelphia as a new voice.
In a short time, he established himself as a fearsome warrior on the stage. Word surged through the world of rap: something special had arrived.
Technically-proficient, incisive, and all too real, iCON the Mike King thrilled audiences whenever he stepped into the spotlight.
At the tender age of six, King found himself riding along with his uncle on rain-slicked Philadelphia streets. The duo were bound for the local hospital, where King’s mother was wrapping up a shift. King can still remember the R&B playing softly on the radio when the Cadillac slammed into their vehicle and sent the six-year-old soaring through the front windshield. Once more, a moment that would have ended a normal person saw King walk away untouched.
It seemed fate had something more in store for the youngster.
It didn’t take long for King to feel the pull of music. Wherever he went, it seemed he was drawn to the dulcet tones of whatever happened to be playing. Young King yearned to contribute to that ever-growing tapestry of art that seemed at the fringes of every person’s existence.
It was one fateful day, while leafing through an old Milestone Comic, that lightning struck. As he poured over the tales of a black superhero, King knew he wanted to be this powerful, to right his own wrongs and bring daring new art to the world. And so he adopted the name of the titular Milestone Hero: ICON.
And thus was born a legend, iCON the Mic King. Armed with his mantle and buoyed by his burgeoning talent, our hero hit the thriving underground rap scene in Philadelphia as a new voice.
In a short time, he established himself as a fearsome warrior on the stage. Word surged through the world of rap: something special had arrived. Technically-proficient, incisive, and all too real, iCON the Mike King thrilled audiences whenever he stepped into the spotlight.
Before long, people understood that the Mic King’s rap handle was no idle boast.
As early as 2001, iCON unleashed one of his superpowers. At shows, he’d leave crowds guessing by blindfolding himself. After having audiences pass him any variety of random objects, the Mic King would launch into a freestyle description of anything that touched his hands. His larger-than-life demeanor and his on-point lyrics drew multitudes to watch the rapper in person.
Over the next few years, iCON mingled with some of hip hop’s biggest stars. He ended up touring relentlessly, sharing the stage with acts like the Wu-Tang Clan, Aesop Rock, and KRS One. His touring stamina was awe-inspiring to all who witnessed it. Show after show, iCON never let up, never stopped working for every inch.
Throughout this time, King released numerous well received mixtapes and one-off projects, including the beloved classic, Intricate Spectrum. But it wasn’t until 2006, when he signed a multi-album deal with Uprising Records, that he made his official debut with the release of Mike and the Fatman, a concept album built alongside Demigodz producer Chum the Skrilla Guerilla.
Though success was at hand, the Mic King eventually became disillusioned with his career. King felt himself pulled away from music toward the boardroom. He turned his talent for disruption into a major business as the owner of iPullRank, a successful digital marketing agency based in New York. King used this opportunity to channel his lyricism into writing and speaking to massive crowds. As much as he loved hip-hop and music, this serial entrepreneur found real purpose inspiring the business world as well.
As his business grew, King never lost touch with the community. It was Mic King who stepped forward to purchase beloved brand UGHH when it was teetering on the brink of failure.
A decade on the job grew a new perspective in King. The aggressive confidence of his youth morphed into lyrics that showcase a more intimate, personal side of our rap protagonist, and from them, the ICONIC EP emerges.
Oh, there’s still plenty of swagger, but finding love and raising a family has drawn out a growing catalogue that begs to be devoured over and over. The Mic King has traveled a long road to get where he is. He’s trampled through the underground scene and performed alongside rap’s greats. He’s wowed crowds and conference tables alike. And now, he’s bringing his lessons and message back to the world, with a new style.
The Mic King is rising once more.
