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Kevin Michael

Ebony, Oct, 2007 by Tiffany Forte

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Kevin Michael doesn't want to be categorized. He's a little bit soul, a little bit rock 'n' roll--and a whole lot more.

"My motto is: I'm not off the chain, I'm off the spaceship, so I'm a little bit different--left of center," he says during a visit to EBONY's offices.

This newcomer singing sensation is hitting the airwaves and has been touring the country. Born in Chester, Pa., to a half-Black, half-Italian mother and a Black father, Michael never has been just one thing, and he wants his music to reflect that fact. The 22-year-old's first single, "It Don't Make Any Difference to Me," talks about his own life. He says he wants to be the voice for other biracial people and is happy that listeners appreciate his sounds.

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"When I get [good] responses, it lets me know that I'm absolutely doing the right thing," Michael says. "It's a positive affirmation to me, like keep doing what you're doing."

When you hear Michael's music, it's apparent that he's the next best thing. Those who are ahead of the game might have heard some of his jazzy beats on his iTunes EP "Ya Dig?" Others can anticipate the release of his Downtown/Atlantic Records self-titled debut in October. That recording will feature different versions of some of the songs on his iTunes joint.

"My talent speaks for itself, and I enjoy doing what I do--it's what I love, it's my passion," he says.

His album features several guest artists, including hip-hop legend Q-Tip on the track "Too Blessed," and Lupe Fiasco. Wyclef lean produced and is featured on the first single. On the track "Love Letter," Michael serenades the ladies as he spells out the song title with smooth, sexy vocals.

Michael's life has been immersed with music as far back as he can remember. "I came out the womb singing," he says. At 9 years old, Michael sang background for his father's funk band, but since he was too young to be in bars and clubs, he would sing his vocals in anonymity behind a huge speaker. One night his father's band mate forgot the words to Montell Jordan's "This is How We Do It." He pulled Michael out on stage and passed him the mic. A star was born. Eventually he became so focused on his dream that he gave up a full scholarship to Hofstra University.

Michael wrote and co-wrote nine of the 13 tracks on his album. He gets his inspiration from a variety of artists, including Prince, Patti LaBelle, Bootsy Collins, Chaka Khan, Jimi Hendrix and Michael Jackson. He hopes to one day work with artists such as Beyonce, Andre 3000, Timbaland and Kanye West.

The young phenom has just the right recipe for success-his unique blend of soul, funk, pop and R&B provide rich musical goodness for the young and not-so-young. And he's not stopping there. These qualities set him apart from the rest and make you want to come back for more.

Says Michael: "Come to my show. There are no smoking mirrors and gliding across the stage to make you forget about the singing or the music," he says. "Put me in a room, with just a guitar player--I'm a rock for you. Put me in front of 20,000 people, just a guitar player--I'ma rock for you. I didn't choose music; music chose me--I'm just a vessel. At the end of the day, this voice doesn't belong to me. It belongs to God."

Kevin Michael

Ebony, Oct, 2007 by Tiffany Forte

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