ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: KEVIN MICHAEL
Monday, June 18, 2007

Kevin Michael is a breath of fresh air for me. Signed to Downtown/Atlantic Records, with an album due out August 28th, and an EP available on iTunes, I think that Kevin Michael might be one of pop-soul’s best kept secrets. Born in Philly, Kevin has worked with hitmaker Wyclef Jean and fan favorite Lupe Fiasco. It just seems like there hasn’t been anyone besides Robin Thicke (who people love) and Justin Timberlake (who most of you guys hate) to fill that voice. I think what I dig most about this cat is his sincerity. And it doesn’t hurt that he pulls from Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Prince for his inspiration. “I don’t know where I begin and the music stops,” Kevin professes. And with a stellar EP, which introduces us to the material that will featured on his as-yet titled debut, I’m sure that Kevin will not disappoint. For more information on Kevin Michael, make sure you check him out on MySpace or hit up his official website, kevinmichael.com for more information about tours and releases.
Check out the opener to his “YaDig” EP (available on iTunes), “We All Want the Same Thing,” featuring Lupe Fiasco. It’ll really give you a feel for Mr. Michael’s sound.
Kevin Michael - “We All Want the Same Thing” (acoustic version):








76 Comments
1.
tj
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
intresting…
2.
IMissTee2U
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
I saw this guy in concert….and he was really good…like a young Prince seriously!
3.
ComplexNDope Fucks for tracks
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
He’s ok. His hair is………….. I have no words.
4.
lovey dovey
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
if this is the kid who opened for Lily Allen last Tuesday at Roseland he is nowhere near where Prince was musically at his age. He reminds me of soft pop guys like Thicke and Timberlake. He’s very skinny but he was workin that hair!~
He needs a protein shake a trip to the gym, a stylist and someone to help him write a hit record. He’s got potential….
5.
SugaSweet
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
He’s different.
6.
Stacey
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
Cool! His voice is totally reminiscnt of Prince. But I don’t think this song is anything special…sorry : (
but his hair is totally awesome. wow!! I wish my hair could get like that hehehehe
Stace
xxx
7.
getmebodied
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
A FLOP…YA DIG
8.
Ms. Observant
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
Track is great. Have been rocking to it for months now. It is something different from the mainstream so I can see how the majority of people will not like the track. I’m excited to see the rest of his material.
9.
Ebz
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
Damn Brian..are you some type of Michael CRAZED fan. Anytime something is Michael-Jacksonesque/Princeque(yes I created my own word) surfaces you damn near have a heart attack. The whole sound is becoming played to me and I WISH that artist would begin to develop a different and more unique sound. Justin Timberlake did it, Sterling Sims, Neyo….how much more of this “phase” must we endure. Its okay to be inspired but lets also remember to be UNIQUE.
10.
Whateva
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
Im sure he has talent… But that song is whack!
11.
caramel2
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
He’s alright. I have to give his music more burn to really say if I like him or not.
12.
I don't really care if you got robbed, gimme my cash.
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
that’s my jam!!
13.
sheez
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
lol@the comments but yea he was dude who opened for lily last week i saw him in concert twice i like his style
14.
compton_chick23
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
Not feeling it. Lupe scared me in the beginning.
15.
Bamachick
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
Sorry, cute kid WACK,WACK! SONG. OKAY VOICE
That summed it up.
16.
V
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
I LUV DIS GUY
17.
lilmaria1212
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
nice to hear something unique though, yall gota admit that!!!
18.
Definition
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
#9 is right and i hate the line “breath of fresh air”, i’m over that shit. he’s okay but is not a sculpted artist at all. if he gets big, he’ll be different, not many will pay for what he’s doing now
19.
JillyBean819
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
The background sounds hott. His voice sounds nice. He has a cute face. holla
20.
complexndope
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
I like it. He’s a cutie & I’m digging his hair.
21.
Yan
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
#4 is hella funny
He needs a protein shake a trip to the gym, a stylist
almost made fall off the damn chair
22.
Athens
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
not too fond of the song.. but i’m sure he’ll be going places soon
23.
Shaft
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
i heard him a while back.i like em i like em
24.
eda
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
I’m like the biggest Kevin fan, I recently heard his song on a commerical. I personally don’t like the version wit Lupe, I like the Akil Dasan version better. This dude is gonna be big. Ya’ll should check out his Vicky secret song, it’s tight! All ya’ll that said it’s whack no ya’ll gonna be like O I love that dude in a few months once it’s bump’n all over the radio.
25.
New Yorker
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
i love his fashion sense (from what i saw on his myspace) and he has a good voice but the song is a mess.
i love ppl with unique styles but they have to be able to write interesting lyrics (check out van hunt btw) and his lyrics are very ordinary, therefore i need to hear more before i can become a fan
26.
Murray
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
He has a show in NYC tonight. I’m going to go check it out. I like what he’s doing. It may be hard to garner the support of radio, but the video for his Wyclef produced single is dope. I wish him much success.
27.
honeylove86
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
@ 25 i love van hunt matter of fact one of his songs is on my myspace page right now.
28.
Nippy
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
He is cute, and I love his hair.
29.
cee
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
he is okay there is nothing special about him…maybe it would be if he comes out with some stronger lyrics
30.
Adrian Clyde
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
The song itself wasn’t anything special, but this guy is clearly a very good singer. His voice is better than just about every other “singer” out there, so for that very reason he won’t find much success in America.
But I hope he does, anyway. That guy is talented.
31.
BashyBoo
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
WHO??
32.
QMan
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
The song’s ok, but I like the acoustic version 10x more!! I listened the acoustic version like 4 times back to back
33.
Bouga
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
I’m digging his sound. I like it.
34.
Sunshine
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
I love his voice, but his lyrics could be a bit more interesting….maybe Ne-Yo can write him a great song! I would love to hear him sing a ballad.
35.
Chanté
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
Yeah, song is decent. Good voice, deja vu music AND image wise, he’s even less subliminal than Justin on the Prince biting, not “influenced” but straight “biting”.
36.
calmsensual1
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
very nice.
37.
Ciara B.
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
good music.
38.
southern.diamond
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
i’m likin it!!
39.
Player
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
What a BITER! SHUT THE HELL UP and go fix your hair!!
40.
Mike O.
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
One of my new favorites.
Different.Unique.Refreshing.
41.
Megan
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
He reminds me so much of Prince in that pic but he has a cool sound.
He looks nothing like he sings. lol It’s crazy.
42.
Krystin
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
i love the beat i dont know i never listen to the words.. SMH shame on me … the hair thing lmao hahahah yeh he does need a good old hair cut .. sounds like a chick though i give him props for trying GOODLUCK
43.
Moniker
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
I agree with #9.
And why is it dudes (more specifically: white boys) seem to think singing high pitched and falsetto throughout the entirety of a song translates to soul music? When the fuck did THAT become hot?
44.
Ms 2 Damn Sexy
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
He has a great singing voice. I’ma have to add him on myspace & check out more of his music.
45.
Trouble
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
Maybe I was hearing something different, but he in no way, shape or form reminds me of prince. Sounds a little like D’Angelo, if D’Angelo’s voice wasn’t as clear and strong as it is. And I have a short attention span, if they don’t get me in the first 45 seconds, it gets skipped
46.
Travis McCoy is my favorite Oreo
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
I like it. It didn’t blow me away but it kept my attention. As far as him “biting” he has the same type of voice, so what. I hardly consider that as “biting”. Some of you go issues. Love to hate.
47.
Travis McCoy is my favorite Oreo
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
And I love his hair!!!
48.
TheUltimate
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
I like his voice.
49.
Laura
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
Justin Timberlake Can someone tell me what is so special about Justin. He uses Prince’s musicians and needs Timberland.
50.
manda
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
loving it.
he’s fug but i’m sick of pretty boy “wannaloveyougirllll/yousosexyyy” shit anyway.
51.
Greg Arious
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
Check out the Myspace song with Wyclef. That joint is FIYAH!!
52.
dayton
Monday, June 18, 2007 /
yum
53.
*sigh*
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 /
um why do i feel like the only person that likes it??
54.
GiGi
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 /
I like it. It sounds kinda vintage. He’s handsome as well. The old “blue-sy” sound is coming back (like with Amy Winehouse), which is great because I love old blues and jazz songs.
55.
C.R.E.A.M.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 /
I like it.
56.
Greg Arious
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 /
Son is the truth.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2_vHjZ9ALVg
57.
Aairy
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 /
jus cuz a nigga got a high pitch note in a song dont mak him a prince “biter”. get a damn grip plz. yall b hatin for no reason.
i luv the song! its different and da meanin of the song is hot. not sumthin u hear on da radio everyday.
getcha mind rite!
HE GOIN BIG!
58.
NoMoSoul
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 /
I agree with #9, #49 and #54
When an artist comes out, PLEASE Be different from everyone else. Be inspired by somethign different. Dont give us the same ol bullshit ex. Rihanna, the girl has so much MAD potential b/c she’s unique but her record company is giving us this average crap that everyone knows is not her. Its manufactured.
Monica didnt do anything new, neither did Mya, and Kelly is falling in with them REAL quick.
JT did change it up, but its fake. U know the “R&B” music he claims to do, is fake.
Im glad the bluesy jazz music is comin back. Love when its mixed with different genres. This guy is pretty decent. Im lookin to see what else he can bring to the table. Keep it up Kevin Michael.
59.
Bouga
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 /
You guys need to get Chrisette Michele’s album…I’ve been listening to the whole album the whole morning and I’m bowled over. This girl is going places. From the beginning to the end, the album is just pure brilliance.
60.
SAY WHAT:0
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 /
i like his voice (and hair!) Yes he sounds like a female but its ight cause he can sing. Ill get his album fo sho’, i enjoy music like this.
(isn’t this song featured on a comercial?)
61.
new_world
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 /
I like his music. I saw him perform live @ Joe’s Pub in NYC a few weeks back. He was good. He has a video out for another song:
http://www.hiphopcrack.co.../crackTv.hhc?videoId=1586
62.
Chanté
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 /
Just to make things clear, I clearly stated it was a combo of his music and image that made him look like a Prince biter instead of just inspired, ain’t saying he ain’t talented but that’s what I see. I never mentionned his “voice”. Mattafact, Blu Cantrell sounds similar to Faith Evans, that doesn’t make her a Faith copycat, cos she didn’t choose her voice either. When Blaque came out, the combo of their music and image was clearly TLC, didn’t mean they were talentless, but it is what it is. That’s my opinion.
63.
Ash
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 /
I LOVE kevin michael, and he’s not white, he’s biracial…
64.
.ice
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 /
OMG so it was a dude who sang this song? I stay hearing it on that verizon commercial and I thought it was a woman… woooow.. I like that song though.
65.
milton101
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 /
not bad
66.
lala
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 /
I like it. It didn’t blow me away but it kept my attention. As far as him “biting” he has the same type of voice, so what. I hardly consider that as “biting”. Some of you go issues. Love to hate.
————————-
EXACTLY
67.
krckrc3x3xkrc3x
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 /
I’m so glad ya’ll posted this. I love him. I heard about him through iTunes. He’s so real. Anyway, I think he sings well and his voice reminds me of a male version of Beyonce, his runs etc.
68.
NoMoSoul
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 /
Yea. this guy is pretty decent. Too bad he cant dance.
he doesnt look right doin all that stuff in his videos. Have u guys seen them? Watch em. This guy’s dance moves are not…entertainable. Someone PLEASE tell him to stop. He dont need to dance, at least not like that. Just keep singin my brotha.
69.
Kennedy
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 /
He is also being featured on mtvU’s Backstage Pass right now:
http://www.mtvu.com/music/backstage_pass/
70.
babyboyandmysti
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 /
Not bad to look at. Got a little Prince/Maxwell sound.
71.
Im the only polar bear up in this bitch
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 /
His hair is bombing.
72.
stylistikk
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 /
HOT! The song of course!
73.
atreyou82
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 /
He has a nice voice, and I like how the music and lyrics were arranged. However, I wasn’t feeling the song. Were do you hear a womens voice? He sounds like a man to me.
74.
jellyfosho
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 /
I saw his new music video.. Boy is rockin I must say…
75.
Jetia
Saturday, August 4, 2007 /
Kevin Kevin Kevin!!!! he was my valentine last year!! anywho he is very talented, unique, and sweet this guy deserves everything that is coming to him, i dont feel as though he is biting he is taking something he learned from some of his favirote ( and our fav) artist and showing us what he learned, and im sure prince micheal and whomever else would be very proud!! Keep up the good work kevin!! you know 1003 loves you!!! do the damn thing.
76.
jojo
Monday, August 27, 2007 /
he is INCREDIBLE!!!!