Mike Bigga Interview: SXSW 2010

From his days collaborating with Outkast to his upcoming third installment of 'I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind,' Atlanta's Mike Bigga (formerly known as Killer Mike) is a consummate storyteller and MC, and an outspoken social commentator who knows how to have a good time. As he gets ready to take on SXSW '10, Spinner spoke with Bigga about who he is and where he's going.

How would you describe your sound?

My sound is rider music, built for the grind.

How did you get your start?

Right now, the Mike Bigga state has been around since 2007, with 'I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind I' and II. I worked with Outkast back in about 2002 on 'The Whole World,' and all of that was a great experience. That was cool as shit. But what it is now started in 2007.

There's a Pt. III coming out soon, too?

'I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind III' will be coming out. There are two for 2010, 'Part III' and '16 in the Kitchen.'

What are your musical influences?

Real life, real times. But as far as musicians, some are Scarface, Q, Bundy, Biggie.

You were formerly known as Killer Mike. Why did the name change?

I just woke up--it's "Bigga."

What is your biggest vice?

I like to fight. Can't walk away from a fight, can't walk away from an argument. I walked away once, with [Outkast's] Big Boi. It took months of self-therapy, but you know, I'm so grateful to them.

What's in your festival survival kit?

My DJ [ADS], bank roll, and dope rap. With that, I can survive anything, anywhere.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

Brazilian Girls. You know that song? "Pussy, pussy, pussy, marijuana!"

What's the craziest thing you've experienced on tour?

Craziest thing? There's lots of crazy shit that goes on on tour, and most hasn't passed the statute of limitations [laughs]. The coolest shit is hanging out in strip clubs with the Roots. Strippers will come up like, "You're so deep and profound!"

You've done all kinds of things--TV, Madden '04, film--do you want to continue exploring different media?

I'm really known as a prolific storyteller, you know, comparable to Biggie. I want to take that, get into screenwriting. I'm about to start directing my own [music] videos, then I want to start pushing from videos to TV. And I want to try acting of course, all of that.

Anything else?

Yeah. Hit me up on Twitter @Mike_Bigga!


Holly Quinn is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.