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Mike Mictlan performs live at the Minnesota State Fair

  Play Now [23:39]

by Mary Lucia, Leah Garaas and Mike Mictlan

August 28, 2014

Mike Mictlan - Super'merica (Live at the Minnesota State Fair)
by MPR
Mike Mictlan - Tha Brink (Live at the Minnesota State Fair)
by MPR
Mike Mictlan - CLAPP'D (Live at the Minnesota State Fair)
by MPR
Mike Mictlan
Mike Mictlan performs live at the Minnesota State Fair.
MPR / Leah Garaas
Mike Mictlan
Mike Mictlan performs live at the Minnesota State Fair.
MPR / Leah Garaas

"Hey, you look like a baller. Wanna buy this?" This is what Stef Alexander — stage name P.O.S. — said to Mike Mictlan, a new Minneapolis resident, on his first day of high school. Mictlan couldn't have imagined that buying a punk-rock magazine from a guy in cheetah-pattered pants and blue hair would lead to a lifetime friendship and two-sevenths of hip-hop collection Doomtree.

Mike Mictlan
Mike Mictlan performs "CLAPP'D" on the MPR stage at the Minnesota State Fair.
MPR / Leah Garaas

Mictlan started writing rap music at age 13 in southern California. That was when he told his parents that he was going to be a professional rapper. He imagined a having a successful career like rap duo Kriss Kross or Run DMC. Twenty years later, he's not only successful as a solo emcee, but also a label owner and a member of hip-hop collective Doomtree.

Mike Mictlan
Mike Mictlan and his daughter hang out at the MPR booth at the Minnesota State Fair.
MPR / Leah Garaas

This Saturday, Aug. 30, Mictlan and the rest of the Doomtree crew will be performing live on the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand stage as a part of The Current's MN Music-on-a-Stick showcase. Doomtree are known for their impressive show and captivating stage presence, but Mictlan admits that in their 12 years together, Doomtree have only rehearsed four times as a group.

Mike Mictlan
Mike Mictlan and his daughter hang out at the MPR booth at the Minnesota State Fair.
MPR / Leah Garaas

After a year and a half hiatus, Mike Mictlan's third full-length is on the way. Three songs off the ten-track album were performed at the Minnesota State Fair on the MPR stage. The record titled HELLA FRREAL releases this fall.

Baby, State Fair
Clapping along to Mike Mictlan's set at the Minnesota State Fair.
MPR / Leah Garaas

Songs Performed

Mike Mictlan, family
Mike Mictlan and crew after his set at the Minnesota State Fair.
MPR / Leah Garaas

"CLAPP'D"
"Tha Brink"
"Super'merica"

MPR volunteers, Doomtree
MPR volunteers hold up the massive six pound Doomtree photo album.
MPR / Leah Garaas

All songs off Mike Mictlan's forthcoming record, HELLA FRREAL, out Tuesday, Oct. 28, via Doomtree Records.

Mike Mictlan
Mike Mictlan performs "Super'merica" at the Minnesota State Fair.
MPR / Leah Garaas

Hosted by Mary Lucia
Produced by Derrick Stevens
Engineered by Michael DeMark
Web feature by Leah Garaas

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