Michael Barber
Encyclopedia
Michael Barber is an American musician signed to Universal Records
through Hoopla Media Group. Barber is best known for inventing the Messy Music
genre that mixes all types of current genres to create his own. Barber has been credited with working in the studio or on marketing campaigns for people such as Nas
, Akon
, D'Angelo
, Nappy Roots
, Kia Shine, The Wu Tang Clan, Rza
and Static Major
to name a few. Michael has also released poetry and music under aliases, Determined, Indiana Smokey Bones, and The Irish Jesus or the Jesus.
to an Irish, Catholic middle class family. As a child he listened to his mother play the piano, and he wrote his first album at 14 over tracks of Frank Sinatra
, The Beatles
, and the rap group Onyx
. By the age of 16, Michael was taking drugs and running with gang members. He was expelled from school, and moved to Louisville, Kentucky
. He formed the rap group, Rhyme Related and had two CMJ hit songs, The Pill Song and Midwest. Both songs gained a following and had Rhyme Related tour the East Coast and Midwest. Michael was the executive producer on the Sharp as Razor Records compilation album, 'How the Midwest Was Won". He ghost wrote verses and had features on the compilation album listed as Determined.
Michael has worked in the studio or on marketing projects with Nas
, Static Major
and Nappy Roots
. Barber went on to get nominated for a 2007 and 2008 Southern Entertainment Award. During this time Michael put out an award winning mix tape with DJ Mathematics the official DJ of The Wu Tang Clan.
From 2006 to 2008 Michael recorded at Full Sail University and Big Shot Studios in Orlando, Florida
. Michael recorded songs with people like Akon
and Ray Manzarek
for his movie based mix tape series, Motion Picture Mayhem
. The two tapes, out of the five part series, landed Michael a deal with Universal Records
.
via Jonathan Hay
Michael was headed in the right direction. Hay had been the sole reason for breaking some of the biggest acts in the world including Days of the New
and Rihanna
. Michael issued diss songs to Asher Roth
, and Charles Hamilton
. Michael's debut album on Universal Records
is due out in 2010, and will feature production from Aftermath Records and Shady Records
and will feature guests from such artists as Nappy Roots
and Kia Shine. Michael also put out two album style mix tapes with world famous DJ, Dj Fade, The Truth and The Purple Aces Project
, after turning down a mix tape offer to work with Gangster Grillz Dj, DJ Drama
.
On Halloween 2009, after signing with Universal Records, Barber released the 2nd installment of his Motion Picture Mayhem series. The material was recorded before signing with Universal Records, but re-mixed and re-mastered by Universal.
In June 2011, Michael's song, "Take Your Time" was released by Interscope Records
and hit the top 200 on the Itunes Charts at number, #187.
. The Messy Music style is the use of all current music styles to create a new sound. Trent Reznor
played a large part in the creation of this style of Music, but Barber is considered a leader of this branch of music. It generally consists of taking music back to poetry over beats. The Purple Aces Project
consists of what would normally be all different styles and genres of music, from hip hop, folk, rock, and reggae. These genres when combined create the Messy Style. Barber has stated that his debut album on Universal Records
will be labeled under the Messy Style, and even feature country music
.
. Michael is currently living in Florida
and working with ECP Music Group and Warner Music Group
as well as still writing songs for Universal Records
. He runs a small studio he built from the ground up, Aquemini Beach Front Studios. His father was briefly in the musical group, Weather Report
.
Motion Picture Mayhem
Motion Picture Mayhem
2
Motion Picture Mayhem
3
The Purple Aces Project
ECP Music Group
Shotguns and Canned Goods Universal Records
Rhyme Related with Dj Mathematics of the Wu Tang Clan
Xanax and Anchovies
Live From Insanity with DJ Fade
Shotguns and Canned Goods featuring B.Stille of Nappy Roots
Laid Back
Take Your Time
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
through Hoopla Media Group. Barber is best known for inventing the Messy Music
Messy Music
Messy Music or Messy was founded in 1998 by Doug DeAngelis and Kevin Haskins to produce scores for video games, film, and television.Doug and Kevin describe Messy as Electronic Alternative music, featuring guests like Michael Balzary from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jessicka from Scarling., along with...
genre that mixes all types of current genres to create his own. Barber has been credited with working in the studio or on marketing campaigns for people such as Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
, Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
, D'Angelo
D'Angelo
Michael Eugene Archer , better known by his stage name D'Angelo, is an American R&B and neo soul singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He is known for his production and songwriting talents as much as for his vocal abilities, and often draws comparisons to his influences,...
, Nappy Roots
Nappy Roots
Nappy Roots is an American alternative Southern rap quintet that originated in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1995 and is best known for its hit single "Awnaw."...
, Kia Shine, The Wu Tang Clan, Rza
RZA
Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, better known by his stage name RZA , is an American Grammy-winning music producer, multi-instrumentalist, author, emcee, and occasional actor, director, and screenwriter. A prominent figure in Hip Hop, RZA is the de facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. He has produced almost...
and Static Major
Static Major
Stephen Ellis Garrett also known as Static Major, was a Grammy Award-Winning American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer from Louisville, Kentucky. He was a member of the R&B trio Playa. Static Major gained posthumous fame for appearing on Lil Wayne's 2008 album Tha Carter III on the...
to name a few. Michael has also released poetry and music under aliases, Determined, Indiana Smokey Bones, and The Irish Jesus or the Jesus.
Biography
Michael Barber was born in Evansville, IndianaEvansville, Indiana
Evansville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Indiana and the largest city in Southern Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 117,429. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for both Southwestern Indiana and the...
to an Irish, Catholic middle class family. As a child he listened to his mother play the piano, and he wrote his first album at 14 over tracks of Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
, The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, and the rap group Onyx
Onyx
Onyx is a banded variety of chalcedony. The colors of its bands range from white to almost every color . Commonly, specimens of onyx contain bands of black and/or white.-Etymology:...
. By the age of 16, Michael was taking drugs and running with gang members. He was expelled from school, and moved to Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. He formed the rap group, Rhyme Related and had two CMJ hit songs, The Pill Song and Midwest. Both songs gained a following and had Rhyme Related tour the East Coast and Midwest. Michael was the executive producer on the Sharp as Razor Records compilation album, 'How the Midwest Was Won". He ghost wrote verses and had features on the compilation album listed as Determined.
Michael has worked in the studio or on marketing projects with Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
, Static Major
Static Major
Stephen Ellis Garrett also known as Static Major, was a Grammy Award-Winning American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer from Louisville, Kentucky. He was a member of the R&B trio Playa. Static Major gained posthumous fame for appearing on Lil Wayne's 2008 album Tha Carter III on the...
and Nappy Roots
Nappy Roots
Nappy Roots is an American alternative Southern rap quintet that originated in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1995 and is best known for its hit single "Awnaw."...
. Barber went on to get nominated for a 2007 and 2008 Southern Entertainment Award. During this time Michael put out an award winning mix tape with DJ Mathematics the official DJ of The Wu Tang Clan.
From 2006 to 2008 Michael recorded at Full Sail University and Big Shot Studios in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. Michael recorded songs with people like Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
and Ray Manzarek
Ray Manzarek
Raymond Daniel Manzarek, Jr., better known as Ray Manzarek , is an American musician, singer, producer, film director, writer, co-founder and keyboardist of The Doors from 1965 to 1973, Nite City from 1977–1978 and Manzarek-Krieger since 2001.Manzarek is listed #4 on Digital Dreamdoor's "100...
for his movie based mix tape series, Motion Picture Mayhem
Motion Picture Mayhem
Motion Picture Mayhem is a five-part collection of musical albums put together by Universal Records artist Michael Barber. The series is best known for being recorded using only a DVD player and computer software sampling programs. The music on the albums all pays homage to movies, including some...
. The two tapes, out of the five part series, landed Michael a deal with Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
.
Universal Records
After signing with Universal RecordsUniversal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
via Jonathan Hay
Jonathan Hay
Jonathan Hay is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League .Born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Hay began his football career at Kalgoorlie Catholic Primary School and John Paul College before moving to Perth in 1991...
Michael was headed in the right direction. Hay had been the sole reason for breaking some of the biggest acts in the world including Days of the New
Days of the New
Days of the New is an American alternative rock band from Louisville, Kentucky, formed in 1995. The band consists of vocalist/guitarist Travis Meeks and a variety of supporting musicians...
and Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
. Michael issued diss songs to Asher Roth
Asher Roth
Asher Paul Roth is an American rapper.-Early life:Asher Roth was born and raised in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, a small town about 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia. His mother, Elizabeth , is a yoga instructor, and his father, David Roth, is the executive director of a design firm...
, and Charles Hamilton
Charles Hamilton
-People:* Charles Hamilton 1st Anglican bishop of Ottawa* Charles Hamilton, 5th Earl of Abercorn , Scottish peer* Charles Hamilton, Lord Binning , Scottish politician* Charles Hamilton , Member of Parliament for Truro...
. Michael's debut album on Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
is due out in 2010, and will feature production from Aftermath Records and Shady Records
Shady Records
Shady Records is an American record label specializing in hip hop music. Eminem and his manager Paul Rosenberg founded the label in 1999 after the release of The Slim Shady LP.Since the formation, the label has signed nine acts...
and will feature guests from such artists as Nappy Roots
Nappy Roots
Nappy Roots is an American alternative Southern rap quintet that originated in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1995 and is best known for its hit single "Awnaw."...
and Kia Shine. Michael also put out two album style mix tapes with world famous DJ, Dj Fade, The Truth and The Purple Aces Project
The Purple Aces Project
The Purple Aces Project is a free album put out August 1, 2010, by musician, Michael Barber put out by his long time affiliate DJ, DJ Fade. The album is 17 songs of all original material that Michael recorded before and after a stint in rehab for chemical dependency...
, after turning down a mix tape offer to work with Gangster Grillz Dj, DJ Drama
DJ Drama
Tyree Cinque Simmons better known as DJ Drama is an American hip hop artist and the official DJ for Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I.....
.
On Halloween 2009, after signing with Universal Records, Barber released the 2nd installment of his Motion Picture Mayhem series. The material was recorded before signing with Universal Records, but re-mixed and re-mastered by Universal.
In June 2011, Michael's song, "Take Your Time" was released by Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
and hit the top 200 on the Itunes Charts at number, #187.
Messy Music Style
Michael has created a new genre of music, The Messy Music StyleMessy Music Style
Messy Music Style is a new genre of music developed as a chemistry blend of all popular music mixed together with poetry or a rhyme scheme as the lyric. The blending of this type of music stems from the origins of hip hop music using sampling. Messy Music mostly consists of six genres of music: hip...
. The Messy Music style is the use of all current music styles to create a new sound. Trent Reznor
Trent Reznor
Michael Trent Reznor is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, and leader of industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Reznor is also a member of How to Destroy Angels alongside his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, and Atticus Ross. He was previously associated with bands Option 30,...
played a large part in the creation of this style of Music, but Barber is considered a leader of this branch of music. It generally consists of taking music back to poetry over beats. The Purple Aces Project
The Purple Aces Project
The Purple Aces Project is a free album put out August 1, 2010, by musician, Michael Barber put out by his long time affiliate DJ, DJ Fade. The album is 17 songs of all original material that Michael recorded before and after a stint in rehab for chemical dependency...
consists of what would normally be all different styles and genres of music, from hip hop, folk, rock, and reggae. These genres when combined create the Messy Style. Barber has stated that his debut album on Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
will be labeled under the Messy Style, and even feature country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
.
Personal life
Michael is recovering from his drug and alcohol problems and is sober. Michael was in a short relationship with Danielle FishelDanielle Fishel
Danielle Christine Fishel is an American actress and television personality best known for her role as Topanga Lawrence on the 1990s TV sitcom Boy Meets World and as the host of Style Network's The Dish...
. Michael is currently living in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and working with ECP Music Group and Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
as well as still writing songs for Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
. He runs a small studio he built from the ground up, Aquemini Beach Front Studios. His father was briefly in the musical group, Weather Report
Weather Report
Weather Report was an American jazz-rock band of the 1970s and early 1980s. The band was co-led by the Austrian-born keyboard player Joe Zawinul and the American saxophonist Wayne Shorter...
.
Albums
Sharp as Razor Records Presents-"How The Midwest Was Won" Executive Producer and Ghostwriter.Motion Picture Mayhem
Motion Picture Mayhem
Motion Picture Mayhem is a five-part collection of musical albums put together by Universal Records artist Michael Barber. The series is best known for being recorded using only a DVD player and computer software sampling programs. The music on the albums all pays homage to movies, including some...
Motion Picture Mayhem
Motion Picture Mayhem
Motion Picture Mayhem is a five-part collection of musical albums put together by Universal Records artist Michael Barber. The series is best known for being recorded using only a DVD player and computer software sampling programs. The music on the albums all pays homage to movies, including some...
2
Motion Picture Mayhem
Motion Picture Mayhem
Motion Picture Mayhem is a five-part collection of musical albums put together by Universal Records artist Michael Barber. The series is best known for being recorded using only a DVD player and computer software sampling programs. The music on the albums all pays homage to movies, including some...
3
The Purple Aces Project
The Purple Aces Project
The Purple Aces Project is a free album put out August 1, 2010, by musician, Michael Barber put out by his long time affiliate DJ, DJ Fade. The album is 17 songs of all original material that Michael recorded before and after a stint in rehab for chemical dependency...
ECP Music Group
Shotguns and Canned Goods Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
Mix Tapes
Dj Fade The TruthRhyme Related with Dj Mathematics of the Wu Tang Clan
Xanax and Anchovies
Live From Insanity with DJ Fade
Singles
She's My Pennie LaneShotguns and Canned Goods featuring B.Stille of Nappy Roots
Nappy Roots
Nappy Roots is an American alternative Southern rap quintet that originated in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1995 and is best known for its hit single "Awnaw."...
Laid Back
Take Your Time