Just letting everyone know where I’m from! Rock Chalk!
Tag Archives: Kansas
Refined Hype Interview With Mike Schpitz for My City Series
So far, so good with the first leak from Mike Murder. Mike Is Like dropped Sunday on DJBooth.net and hit everyone else yesterday. The feedback has been incredible. My guys over at RefinedHype.com, who are sponsoring Mike Murder, recently conducted an interview with Mike Schpitz aka ME, for their interview series called My City. I was extra excited about this interview because it gave me a chance to shed a little more light on MY city, which happens to be the capital of Kansas, Topeka. Check out part of the interview here and the rest only at RefinedHype.com.
My City: Mike Schpitz is Topeka High’s Best……..Rapper……….Ever
RefinedHype: You hail from the rarely hailed city of Topeka, Kansas. Do you feel like some people have a bias towards your work when they find out where you’re from?
Mike Schpitz:. I’m not sure how people feel about me and my music AFTER they actually hear the music and then find out I’m from Topeka but I think it’s safe to assume that not many people are checking for emcees to come out of Topeka, Kansas or any similar town across the country. If they see me and then see where I’m from before hearing the music, I definitely think people automatically write me off. I can’t lie because I would do the same thing. I think once people hear the music it’s a little harder to have that bias. More so than where I’m from, I am finding out that people judge me based on what I look like which for me, is kind of funny because no one expects anything. People are always taken back especially when I hit the stage.
RefinedHype: How do you think your music and career would be different if you lived in a more “major” city like L.A., New York, Atlanta etc.?
Mike Schpitz:. It’s hard to say what I would be doing musically if I was from a more major city. I probably wouldn’t even be doing music. I think it’s probably harder to get respect in bigger cities because you have so many talented people in those cities. In Kansas, there are definitely some talented people but the numbers are way smaller. My influences are drawn from all over too. I think if I was in a bigger city, I am gravitate towards music and sounds from that city or region. It definitely allowed me to be more open to hip hop from all over. Being in Chicago now has helped me really step my game up and go full force. There are so many different artists out here that I have to be able to stand out or I will get lost easily in the crowd. I have taken a lot of aspects of both my hometown, Topeka, Kansas and Chicago and used them in my music.
My City: Mike Schpitz is Topeka High’s Best……..Rapper……….Ever
I’m not sure how true “Topeka High’s Best………Rapper……Ever” is but hopefully I’m top 10.
Mike Schpitz and Shitty Ranx Live at Dupree’s
This is just a quick reminder to let everyone know that I will be performing alongside Shitty Ranx tonight at Dupree’s Lounge in Topeka, Kansas. Everyone who is in town, please come out and support for good music. Dupree’s is on 8th Street just east of Kansas Avenue between Kansas Ave and TPAC. I have physical copies of both Sunday Drive and Love Potion Number 9th: The Hangover for sale as well. Shitty Ranx will be playing nothing but good music all night. We look forward to seeing everyone there.
Dupree’s Lounge
108 SE 8th Street
Topeka, Kansas 66603
Friday Update
I know this image still haunts Memphis fans. Take it in.
So this morning I put in Ras Kass’ album, Soul on Ice(shout out to Guy) but I didn’t even get through one song because of the new SLOT-A banger in my car. I was writing verses on the way to work. My bad. However, it has been brought to my attention that a few events have happened that are making my city and University look bad. First off, there has been tension at the University of Kansas between the basketball and football teams. Apparently, a female has been dating one of each and the guys don’t like it. So rather than saying “fuck her” they have had TWO on campus fights. The first one, Tyshawn Taylor, KU’s sophomore guard, threw a punch outside of The Jayhawk Towers and dislocated his thumb. The following day, several players from each side apparently got into a fight in the middle of campus at Wescoe. Now if anyone knows how important the bastkeball team is not only to the university but the entire state itself, you would understand that these players are celebrities. Even though they are 18,19 and 20 year old kids, their star status is that of grown men who represent much more than just a basketball team. They make everyone who is a Jayhawk proud of who they are. They are a reflection of the history, the class and the esteem that comes with being part of the University. I understand that boys are boys and their actions will be forgiven(especially if they win another championship) but these guys need to have an understanding of what they represent before they even step foot on campus. To fight, get injured and be out for several weeks over a female(especially when those guys can’t stay out of the way of _________ fill in the blank) is just plain dumb. I don’t want to take shots at any of the players on either side because they are still kids and kids make mistakes. They didn’t ask for that star power and probably don’t realize the extent of it. However, the truth of the matter is, they are international superstars. I see people wearing KU gear every day in Chicago. There are TWO bars in Chicago dedicated to KU fans. So these guy’s actions affect EVERY Jayhawk on the planet. To add insult to injury, the papers took quotes from Tyshawn’s Facebook page and publicized them. Another mistake that was made but should have been forseen. I always say that celebs shouldn’t have Twitter or Facebook because there is no filter and most things either come off or get interpretted wrong. It has happend COUNTLESS times so far. People have blogs, sites and rumor sections based on Twitter comments so if you are already in the limelight and subject to scrutiny, stay the FUCK off of these sites. I hope that both the basketball and football teams will gain a valuable understanding of exactly what they represent and the star power that they possess. Having said that, shout out to both teams and we look forward to incredible seasons from both of you. Rock Chalk.
In related news, my girl Nads9754 hit me up and told me that there are protestors from Topeka in New York protesting some Jewish gathering or event. I don’t know any of the details but I am going to assume that those protestors are the Phelps family. They are reknowned for protesting all across the country against gay people and gay rights. They show up at funerals, churches, meetings, speeches, etc. I want to let everyone know that, YES they are from Topeka BUT they have been assaulted and harrassed by Topekans for their ridiculous beliefs. They even made a cameo in the Bruno movie. The scene was shot about 8 blocks from my mom’s house at one of the Phelps’ favorite locations. Just know it’s FUCK the Phelps. If you make it to Topeka, you should drive north on 12th street from Oakley towards Gage and look for a compound and a church with a banner that says www.godhatesfags.com or some shit. It is one of the most popular tourist locations in Topeka. The fucked up part is that a lot of the Phelps are attorneys so they know the laws and get away with A LOT of bullshit. Anyway, happy Friday to all, Ras Kass Soul on Ice is my weekend theme music. I hope these events(including the bullshit that happened with Jazzy Jeff in KC) don’t ruin your opinions of Kansas, the University or the people. It is a great place with some incredible people.
Hoop Dreams
This picture NEVER gets old
I just wanted to share some afternoon basketball thoughts with you guys. The NBA and more importantly KU Basketball are shaping up to be incredible seasons. KU is getting some really good new recruits and returning all of our players from last year. Despite the painful loss to Michigan State in the Sweet 16, KU had a really good season especially after losing several players to the NBA. This season, we return full strength, older, wiser with some amazing new recruits. I don’t make preseason predictions for KU but I will say that I smell another National Championship. The NBA has been shaping up rather nicely the last several years. Attendance is up. The marketing is “AMAZING” and the quality of play has been MUCH better than it was several years ago. The Bulls vs Celtics series this year was one of the greatest series in NBA history and so far this summer has seen some big moves for players. Shaq is a Cav. Rasheed Wallace is a Celtic. Ben Gordon is a Piston. Shawn Marion is a Maverick and Hedo Turkoglu is a Raptor. Some moves seems smarter than others but it is definitely exciting. I never want the winter in Chicago to begin BUT there is a lot of great sports to look forward too in the fall and winter. Rock Chalk!!!!!!
Kansas Confirms the Stereotypes
While doing my 1,2 this morning on Hiphopdx, I came across some very disheartening news. DJ Jazzy Jeff Kicked Off Stage At Kansas City Venue. I can’t say I’m surprised but I am very disappointed. Number one, I’m not from Kansas City and I never spent a lot of time there but I can say that I haven’t really enjoy the club/bar scene out there. There are always exceptions but like most other clubs/bars in Kansas that I’ve been too, hip hop is NOT welcomed. Most places play top 40 which does include hip hop but venues and DJs are encouraged heavily to not play too much because of the “crowd” that it draws. I have been out countless times to countless bars and have seen fights at bars regardless of what type of music is played. It breaks my heart to hear about a legend like DJ Jazzy Jeff taking the time to come out to Kansas to spin and after just 30 minutes into his set, he is told to play different music or else police will escort him off stage. For anyone who is unfamiliar with the Power and Light district in Kansas City, it is a big area with a bunch of bars that has a big open area in the middle with a stage for live acts to perform. It is a really cool set up that could be great for shows. I am a little surprised they even booked Jazzy Jeff there just because of the “crowd” that goes there but I am sure people were enjoying his set. It isn’t very often that Kansas gets a REAL DJ to come and spin. It is extremely unfortunate that Kansas still has people that treat hip hop, the artists and the fans like criminals and troublemakers. It doesn’t give me a lot of hope for Kansas. I am pretty sure it is the venues that are doing this and not the patrons. Hip hop’s reach and appeal is universal and undeniable. The problem is that the people who have the power are older and refuse to accept that. Check out the article on Hiphopdx and read Jeff’s comments as well as the BULLSHIT the venue is saying.




