Chicago legends The Microphone Misfitz have been rocking stages all over the planet for the past two decades while showcasing each element of Hip-Hop to a wide array of audiences. Their “Escape From Babylon” series of albums and companion comic books launched in 2012, with its fifth volume dropping last spring.
We got to know the Fitz through Chicago’s own Bboy Jungle and in 2018, the Fitz and DJ CHiEF released their first collaboration “Legacy of Thieves” on Black Label Breaks.
After many more collaborations over the years, we’re honored to have finally caught up with the guys for an interview.
Bboysounds: Who are “The Microphone Misfitz”?
Ray Of Light: The group that always show and prove why can’t nobody fuck with us.
D-Nick: DJ, Road manager, & vocalist Mel L.; Masters Of Movement Jet 9 AKA Jet Nam, Dfex, & Kin Solo; the High-Octane Hype-man & secondary MC The Ray of Light; and lead MC & artistic director of the group myself D-Nick The Microphone Misfit.
Mike Aemka Knoble & DJ Mar are on the production team, with myself & Mel rounding off the core team.
How did you choose the group name?
D-Nick: It came from a Freestyle cypher I was in with my partner Young D.R.U. and it just stuck. I credit D.R.U. with coming up with the name. Young is an original Member and still our brother he’s on quite a few Misfitz joints. Most recently the song “Fitz Don’t Stop.”
What genre(s) or sub-genre(s) would you place the Fitz sound in?
D-Nick: B-Boy/B-Girl music, Breakin’ Music, Funk, & Nerdcore with a RastafarI twist.
Your stage presence is much different than many modern Hip-Hop acts. How would you describe the Fitz at a show?
D-Nick: Theatrical Like a one act play.
Mel L.: A High energy, all-inclusive party. There is something for everyone.
Ray Of Light: In other words octane!
When did you decide to incorporate bboying into the show?
D-Nick: From The beginning. I would go to a breakin’ jam and rarely hear rap. Same as I would go to a rap show and rarely see b-boys getting down. It felt like people forgot how this thing is supposed to go. We are not a rap group we are Hip-Hop All elements on display all the time equal billing. So… we will show better than we can tell.
When was your first performance as a group and how did it go?
D-Nick: I can not remember at all. Ha Ha!
Ray of Light: This DIY Punk Rock spot for me?
Mel L: I’ve been down from the start so I can’t remember the first time.
D-Nick: Same for me.
Kin Solo: Man it’s been so long ago I do not remember.
Jet 9: I would say performing at University of Michigan when D-Nick got me into the fold.
Dfex: I came at the release of “Escape From Babylon Volume 3.”
Mel L: The group has a lot of iterations.
What is your favorite show/event/venue that you’ve played?
Mel L: I would say the album release for “Escape From Babylon Vol. 1” was the first. Personally I don’t remember my first, I’ve been there from the start but can’t [remember] the first official time.
Ray of Light: Our first show in China.
Dfex: China.
Kin Solo: When we did 606 at Sub T.
Jet 9: Con Alt Delete or that wine & cheese party when we scared everyone. Whenever they piss D-Nick off at a show is the best cause that means we are gonna misbehave.
D-Nick: Crucial Conflict 30th Anniversary at Sub T was my fav cause we worked hard to win that crowd over.
The Fitz have worked with a lot of artists over the years. What are some of your favorite collaborations?
D-Nick: Almost everyone we have worked with honestly. Our production team of Aemka & DJ Mar, Nadir, Ras Kass, Femcee Flipsidee, Mega Ran, Mista Dent, Bob Rok, Skib Rok, Harley Hussle, Jux Cain, Sharky, Scoot Over, Shadow Master MC, Alfred Banks, Young D.R.U., T-Rex the Beast 1, Watch City, Orlando Coolridge, Schooly D, Cozmo D, Jez I, Urbanized Music, Keana Bean, DLabre, Charity Clay, DJ Alkemy, Sharkula AKA Thig, Big Herc, B Luv, DNA Beatz & of course DJ Chief.
The Fitz keep popping up at comic conventions and in the “Nerdcore” world. What is that like?
Mel L: Each one is different vibe is always fun and eventful.
D-Nick: Fun AF Ha Ha. I love it from engaging with the fans to building new fans that are all in and welcoming. I always dig rocking for families, and multi generations of people and getting everyone to enjoy it together.
Kin Solo: Super fun I’ma cosplayer so I really enjoy it.
D-Nick: Nerdcore is just a term that is used to differentiate the product it’s all Hip-Hop to me. Call whatever.
D-Nick is also known as a DJ. Can you tell us about that?
D-Nick: IDK what you are speaking of Ha, Ha. Na I like spinning Jams & Battles I use a different name when spinning cause people treat us like the Fat Albert gang and we always gotta be together. So “Sun Selector” takes the pressure off Misfit expectations and I don’t have to answer “where’s Ray?” all night. I spin every Monday in the community. Solo is more active as a DJ when he ain’t Misfitin’.
Kin Solo: I’m always Misfitin’ ha. But I spin at 606 every Tuesday night at Sub T as long as we in town.
Mel L: There is not a Misfit that doesn’t do 2 or more elements, Like aside from deejaying I paint and Tag as well.
D-Nick: Mel raw at it too.
If you had to pick three of your songs to represent the group, what would they be?
D-Nick: “Gatchaman, In The Clouds, Race Against Time, & Soul Rebelz. I Know you said 3 but we Misfitz so you getting 4.”
What is your message for the bboys and bgirls of the world?
D-Nick: Keep elevating and innovating and we will do the same. Thank you for your support!
Thanks to D-Nick, Ray of Light, Mel L, Dfex, Kin Solo, and Jet 9 for taking the time for this interview, and make sure to visit The Microphone Misfitz website and follow them on Bandcamp, Soundcloud, YouTube, Spotify, Apple, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
