Photo Credit: Leslie Paczosa
We had the chance to sit down with Mikel Knight the last time he was in town for a show at Renegades. If you haven’t had a chance to see a Mikel Knight show with the Outlaw Band, well I highly recommend it! “Urban Country” is taking the Honky-Tonks and Country Bars by storm, and if you’re a line dancer, well I’m almost positive you’ve danced to Mikel’s “Whiskey Drinkin’ SOB” or “Saddle Up Shawty!”
Photo Credit: Leslie Paczosa
Do you classify yourself as Hick Hop or are you Country Rap?
I feel that people are trying to classify it anyway they can… If they wanna call it Hick Hop that’s ok, but I call it Country Rap or Urban Country
Who is your inspiration?
My inspiration doesn’t come from any one particular artist, but more from people in general. If I like a person’s music I don’t usually like their character. I grew up listening to Country, Southern Rock, & Rap.
Which Celebrity or Artist would you be “Star-Struck” to meet (dead or alive)?
Elvis or Garth Brooks
How do you feel about Country Radio starting to finally embrace “Urban Country”?
It’s been a LONG LONG Road… But you know, thank god for Colt Ford … He’s on the east coast and I’m from Texas, he started pushing West & I started pushing East… We’re just greatful that it’s finally caught on.
We know the Texas Country Music scene is different than everywhere else in the country…
They always say you have to leave home, go establish yourself somewhere else and then come back home… We got A LOT of love when we’ve gone elsewhere… We had success everywhere but Texas… Texas is a very stubborn state when it comes to music.
Has anyone ever told you “Why don’t you change your style?”
Honestly, if I listened to everyone, I wouldn’t be doing Country Rap… I can’t really hear Haters, I’m immune to them…
Would you let anyone else record your music? Anyone in particular you’d prefer to have record your music?
Of course, but I’d have to hear a couple of them try… Maybe Jason Aldean or Luke Bryan.
Is there any chance of a Colt Ford / Mikel Knight collaboration?!?
Of course, he got out the gate before I did, so I tell him I’mma keep drafting him like Nascar… I tell him You keep goin on Old School… I’ll pass ya one day… But yes, we’re friends… Colt says I’m too much of a Model to do this. But, one day there will be a Colt/MK collaboration!