Mickey Factz Talks Supras & Electronica Influences

Complex: Being from the Bronx, do you ever feel like an outcast with your sound?

Mickey Factz: No, actually, I feel more at home with my sound in the Bronx than regular boom-bap. Afrika Bambaataa was doing electro music, techno music when he first came out.

Complex: That's true.

Mickey Factz: He was doing that in the early '80s. So my sound is actually more at home with the Bronx more than any other sound that's out there right now. What we have picked up is an extension of gangsta rap in the early '90s and we just made it into New York sound. Bronx hip-hop comes from Afrika Bambaataa, KRS-ONE, teaching, unity, partying, having fun, and being innovative. Basically by me coming out now, it's come full circle.

Complex: The drug element of dance music plays a huge role in New York and Europe's club culture. What's your experience overseas like? Have you ever done drugs to help fuel your sound?

Mickey Factz: I've never done any drugs in the club, and I've never been overseas yet.

Complex: Weren't you in Asia or something last year?

Mickey Factz: I was in China, but I wasn't in Europe yet. In China, the reception from the music was insane, people loved it because it was a new sound for them. It was very well received. I go to Europe, I already know what's going to happen.

Complex: But when you do add drugs to the equation, it is a whole other element.

Mickey Factz: Wow. Mickey Factz is sober. I don't smoke, I drink rarely, I got to stay focused 'cause you never know what’ll happen. Everybody getting' their chain taken, people getting beat up, I got to stay on my toes man. People trying to take my passport, I don't have time for all of that.

Complex: Do you feel like you lost your chance to take credit for introducing Supras to hip-hop now that Jay-Z and Lil Wayne are known for wearing them?

Mickey Factz: Nah. I still have to take credit for it. I've been doing it since 2007, and it's documented online. They made 150 of the original gold Supras, this was before they did perforated Supras. Mickey Factz has four pairs of them. I will honestly say I am the Supra king. Everybody knows that Mickey Factz is super fresh. I don't understand why I wasn't in that Complex photo shoot [Leaders Of The New Cool].

Complex: No comment.

Hit “NEXT” to find out what rap veteran called Mickey for a Supra hook-up.