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BEHIND THE SONG
With the pandemic, the gig economy, and the Great Resignation, a lot of people are redefining the American dream and becoming their own boss. “Build” taps into that directly by reflecting on my experiences as an entrepreneur growing my digital marketing agency iPullRank. I’m taking a moment to turn my eight years of building my business into an anthem for those that are doing the same thing. The song is also an “I see you” moment to remind other builders that it’s not always easy, sometimes it’s downright lonely, but if you keep hustling it’s very rewarding, so keep going. At the end of the day, we’re all a product of the choices made by generations past, and I’m no different. During the Great Migration, my grandmother moved from South Carolina to Philly to create a better life for herself and her descendants. So, Build is also a song where I recognize my position in creating generational wealth within a black family and taking a moment to celebrate it. As a polymath, I also exist at the convergence of a lot of disciplines, so Darren Talent and I integrated my onstage marketing conference performances with the music. I wanted it to be very clear that I’m not one of those guys you see on YouTube selling you info-products, I’m really out here doing this.
~ Mic King
About THE SONG
Produced entirely by Portland beatsmith and DJ Trox (50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Cordae, etc.), iCONIC arrived following King’s decade-long hiatus from music and features M.O.P‘s Lil’ Fame, Musiq Soulchild, and the Honorable Anwar HighSign.
iCONIC - Lyrics
[Verse One]
None of y’all coulda predicted me.
I march to my own drum conducting a different symphony.
I’m thinking future mes independently intervened by sending me memories in my dreams.
At least it fits the theme.
My mystery’s in the in-betweens.
Sometimes I don’t even know how I’m getting these victories.
Is it my obsession with symmetry?
An inner need to never rest until the rest is history?
Rap and business. Same difference.
In both I’m technical and charming and stretch an insane distance.
In both I changed the game so my presence creates tension.
On the road to success cuz they failed at the same mission.
I make moves. Their breakthroughs are fake news.
All in all, I’m just grateful I ain’t you.
Examine the I. Be rather surprised.
As iCON, I started small then always capitalized, wassup?
[Hook]
I knew I’d make it to here.
I know I’m taking it there.
That’s why I’m staying prepared.
I’m feeling like myself, my n*gga, I’m iCONIC.
I knew I’d be the example.
I know it isn’t a gamble.
That’s why I’m changing the channel.
I’m feeling like myself, my n*gga, I’m iCONIC.
[Verse Two]
I’m the New Testament, King James version.
Making concerted efforts not to be the same person.
I get it now cuz we share the same circuits.
I rewired mine, but them feelings may surface.
Healing became urgent.
I had to confront it.
Now I work through issues by being the dad that I wanted.
I was often at a loss like the Vatican’s budget.
But I see that pushed me harder as I stand at the summit.
Thanks.
There really was no either or between the Korean War and “my Cherie amour.”
Match that with being poor.
In New York, it’s not an even score.
There’s so much. I don’t know.
Maybe you needed more.
I’ve seen it all.
I’ll pass it along.
Sometimes you learn by example when the example is wrong.
We broke bread and the cycle in plenty of time.
And like I told when I saw you, your city is mine now.
I knew I’d make it to here.
I know I’m taking it there.
That’s why I’m staying prepared.
I’m feeling like myself, my n*gga, I’m iCONIC.
I knew I’d be the example.
I know it isn’t a gamble.
That’s why I’m changing the channel.
I’m feeling like myself, my n*gga, I’m iCONIC.
About MIC KING
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.
