Myke Van is an artist from Aurora, Illinois, moving to the area from Houston, Texas around the age of three. Growing up, Myke wasn’t very into music, claiming that this route “chose” him. He recalls being in a church choir when he was younger, but left because he didn’t feel it was for him. However, as Myke grew up, he started to find that music was meant for him.
With his family being heavily into music, it started to spark an interest, leading Myke to absorb the influences around him. He says, “Once [music] grabbed a hold onto me, I knew there was no other option for me. I had to keep going with it; it’s my only route.”
Myke cites Juice WRLD as his biggest influence. From his music, to his clothes, to his attitude, Juice is his biggest inspiration. Thinking back, Myke expresses how Juice WRLD’s music got him through a lot of hard times he faced, and gave him something to hold onto. Myke says he loves the rockstar vibe Juice had, and how he didn’t pay mind to what other people thought of him, and feels that those characteristics have carried over in his influence. He also says he loves G Herbo and Lil Baby, along with old-school rap, like Tupac and Wu-Tang Clan. Myke says he appreciates artists who can carry on some of the older style, as it’s not seen much in recent music.
Growing up, Myke faced internal
struggles that made it hard to deal with his day-to-day life. He reveals that in the past, he dealt with depression and anxiety, saying “you never know what kind of turn life can take on you, or the stress it can have on you.” However, using music as an escape, he found that getting through those hardships only made his work stronger. It gave him a platform to be more honest and relatable to his audience. Although it was not always easy, allowed him to grow and gain a new perspective, stating “[my music] is the most real reflection of me.”
Despite not feeling like he’s reached his full potential yet, Myke finds reassurance in the influence he has on others. He says, “if I know I can change somebody’s life today, through just my music, or just a regular conversation, then I’ll feel successful.” He is determined to work himself up to fame, striving for the top of the charts. “Platinum plaques, gold plaques, Grammys...then I can take my cape off,” Myke says. He has no doubts, because he knows that he’s putting in the time and effort to make a name for himself.
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