BIO
Paztuh Mike
MORE THAN RAP
PAZTUH MIKE - THE WHOLE STORY
"A lot of people don't realize
that I started off in rock music, not rap.
Paztuh Mike has earned a reputation as a no-nonsense evangelist and preacher in the St. Louis region. Whether he’s in a pulpit or walking the inner-city streets, listeners are met with honest, bold messages that challenge, convict, and inspire. His music is no different.
Before his call into ministry, Paztuh Mike made his mark on the area’s hip-hop scene as a potent lyricist and innovative producer whose music not only rattled the car speakers, but rattled the conscience. His songs, although not overtly Christian- he steers away from categorizing himself as a Christian rapper- address universal issues from a godly perspective, leaving a lasting impression on the ears and the soul.
Early Music
Paztuh Mike’s early tracks, “Need Your Love” and “Good Life,” showcase his ability to mix head-bobbing music with memorable lyrics that explore relatable topics, like holding out for a godly wife and the benefits of upright living. Another popular record, “Fighter’s Anthem,” is a hard-hitting song backed by an R&B-hook that implores listeners to let nothing get in the way of fulfilling their vision- to never quit, to never stop.
That song, like many of his records, was born out of the highs and lows of Paztuh Mike’s personal journey, one he admits he didn’t always understand. But now looks back and sees God’s wisdom through it all.
Where It All Began
As a kid growing up in central Illinois, Paztuh Mike fell in love with music at an early age. Surprisingly though, his affinity wasn’t for hip-hop tracks and rap artists. Instead, he was drawn to the tunes his mom constantly played throughout the house, a mix of ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s chart toppers, classic rock, and disco. Fast-forward a few years and Paztuh Mike was steeped in alternative rock, determined to start his own band. “I loved rock music, that was my thing,” he says. “A lot of people don’t realize that, but I started off in rock music, not rap.”
His band never performed publicly, but spent countless nights filling the garage with loud music and youthful dreams of making it big. Despite their hard work, Paztuh Mike quickly figured out that maintaining a band was expensive. He was only thirteen and money was scarce, so it didn’t take long for the band dream to fade to black.
From Rock to Rap
Around this time, he got his first taste of rap music when a few neighborhood friends introduced him to Dr. Dre’s The Chronic. As he began to mimic the flows, he realized that he was a rap natural. His penchant for rap music began to grow, with artists like Tupac and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony becoming regulars in his music rotation. Their style steadily influenced him, bringing his rock music obsession to an eventual end. Hip hope was now his first love.
The Rise of MiNiMe
As his confidence grew, Paztuh Mike began to share his music with any and everyone who would listen. Before long, others began to recognize his rap prowess and soon he was a household name. At eighteen years old, he started MiNiMe Studio Productions (MSP), a recording studio based in Belleville, Illinois that also gained traction in and around Clinton County, Illinois. “MiNiMe” evolved from a nickname started by friends who thought Paztuh Mike was an imitation of his older brother. He wasn’t thrilled with the tag, but it stuck. Another friend, Kevin, later challenged him to use MiNiMe if he ever made it big as a rapper. Just one year later, Kevin died in a car accident. To honor his memory, Paztuh Mike embraced the MiNiMe level and never looked back.
Music Turns
To Ministry
THE TRANSFORMATION
"I wasn't willing to compromise."
When Paztuh Mike first hit the scene as MiNiMe, his lyrics bashed women and promoted violence. He was young, brash and cocky, creating rhymes that mirrored his thinking at the time. Regardless, his skills as a rap artist couldn’t be denied. Through a series of personal connections, his music landed into the hands of an A&R rep at a major record label. The rep liked what he heard and started the process to sign Paztuh Mike, but then trouble reared its head. The contact who passed Paztuh Mike’s music to the record company was a big-league cocaine dealer who was busted while Paztuh Mike’s contract negotiations were underway. When the record label heard about the arrest, they immediately pulled the plug on the deal.
No Compromise
A few years later, another industry icon had Paztuh Mike on its radar. By this time though, a lot had changed behind the scenes. He had committed his life to Christ and was leaving the street lifestyle. His music was beginning to shift too, a shift the A&R reps wanted to redirect. “The kept saying ‘We like his flow, we like his style, we like how he’s positive, but he’s going to have to stop talking about God in his music,’ Paztuh Mike recalls. “I wasn’t willing to compromise.”
But God Had More…
He kept creating songs that reflected his inward transformation. However it all come to a sudden halt in 2010. God directed him to put aside his music and truly make God his No. 1 priority. For the next few years, Paztuh Mike grew in his relationship with Christ, repurposed MSP (his former studio name) to a nonprofit street evangelism and case management outreach called Men Standing Positive. He was then ordained into ministry. Since then, he has dedicated his life to preaching the gospel, speaking to students at inner-city schools, helping individuals acquire job training skills, and securing work for those in need of employment.
Out With The Old
In 2014, Paztuh Mike attempted to revitalize his hip-hop career- and had a third record company interested in potential signing- but it wasn’t quite time. There was one more thing God wanted him to do: shed the MiNiMe ID and take on the name that ultimately defined his ministry- Pastor Mike. It’s a label he had been running from for years, but, after deep character building and a couple of creative tweaks, he finally accepted the title. MiNiMe was no more. Paztuh Mike is here to stay.
MORE THAN RAP
"...in the streets serving communities firsthand..."
Paztuh Mike believes God has been preparing him for such a time as this…to make music that delivers truth, purpose, and freedom to the masses. He’s currently in the studio laying down new tracks he plans to release as singles along with music videos and other content. “I want my music to reach the inner-city, to change the mindset of an entire generation, to influence people for God,” Paztuh Mike explains. “Through MSP, I’m in the streets serving communities firsthand, helping people get back on their feet, so I see the needs up-close. My sermons may not touch some folks, but my music will. I want people to know they can approach me, not just so they can get behind the music, but to motivate them to join me in this fight to change lives.”
