Paztuh Mike History Archives

Why I Got That Bomb

04/23/2020 by lastdayrecordsllc

Fresh News, New Release, Paztuh Mike History

Paztuh Mike freely admits his music isn’t always geared toward Christian audiences. His recent singles touch on topics that anyone, no matter what they believe about Jesus, can relate to. But his latest release, I Got That Bomb, takes a detour. The song speaks directly to his faith in Christ and the power that God supplies to those who live for Him with their whole heart.

The Inspiration

He wrote I Got That Bomb at a time when he saw the power of God repeatedly show up in miraculous ways. Like when he and a fellow believer prayed for a group of addicts in the middle of a crackhouse. The presence of God was so strong, a battered woman who sat in a back room got filled with the Holy Spirit and healed from bruised eyes and broken ribs. Or the time Paztuh Mike and his team prayed for a deathly-ill elderly woman who was hospitalized with little chance for recovery.

Two days later, the woman and her granddaughter called to let them know she had improved so much that doctors had released her from the hospital. And then there was the couple Paztuh Mike and ministry team members encountered at a restaurant. What started as a simple conversation turned into a Spirit-filled counseling session that concluded with an evil spirit being cast out of the husband. The couple followed up a few weeks later, thanking God for the changes in their home and marriage.

“I’ve seen God do some crazy stuff,” Paztuh Mike says, “and at first, I was kind of cocky about it. But over time, I realized it was all God. To this day, I’m never totally sure when I go minister to someone. People ask me to pray for them or a loved one and I’m thinking, ‘For real, what am I gonna do?’ But every time I take that step of faith, I end up watching God work and saying, ‘Wow, that just happened.’ When people ask me how some miracle happened, I tell them, ‘Dude, I have no idea. All I know is the Lord did what He did that day and that’s it.'”

The Song

I Got That Bomb features gritty beats and bold lyrics meant to convey the power of God that Paztuh Mike has witnessed firsthand. He wrote the song over a period of months, a departure from his typical songwriting process, which usually takes just a few days. But he knew this track couldn’t be forced, that it would only come together as he saw more of God’s power manifested.

“I didn’t write this song in one day or even one week,” he says. “It took months. I was so fired up and, like I said, I was letting it all go to my head. So I just started writing about those experiences, being cocky about how I moved in the Spirit, being cocky about my relationship with God. But how I wrote then, I don’t write like that anymore. Now I understand, ‘Hey, I’m messed up and you are too, but look what God has done.’”

Although he might write a few lyrics differently today, the core message remains the same: God is powerful and as believers, we have that exact same power to deliver others.

“When I do a show, I often lead people to Christ, pray for people, and speak prophetic words. I don’t claim to be a prophet. It’s just what can happen when the power of God comes over you.”

The Challenge

Paztuh Mike doesn’t just want to rap about God’s transforming power. He wants to help Christians and non-Christians know firsthand that God’s power is real. But he understands people are skeptical.

“There’s no way I can sum up God’s power to an unbeliever,” says Paztuh Mike. “Most times, they’re not going to listen to me quote a bunch of scriptures. But I can tell them stories of what I’ve seen. And I’ve found that what really proves God’s existence to unbelievers is salvation…their salvation.”

He goes on to explain, “You can be a prophet of God and call down fire from heaven. After an unbeliever sees that, he still may not believe in God in his heart. What he’s going to believe is that you just called down fire. So the greatest miracle isn’t God’s power in and of itself. The greatest miracle is salvation, a true relationship with God.”

A Message for Believers

On the flipside, Paztuh Mike has a blunt message for believers: “Stop sleeping with the enemy.” He says that in his years of ministry, he has seen too much compromise among Christians, compromise that affects their ability to trust God for the miraculous.

“If you’re giving into sin, you’re not going to have confidence. And I don’t mean confidence in yourself. I’m talking about confidence in the Lord. Confidence that you have the power and authority to cast out devils or lay hands on the sick and see people recover. That only comes when you’re in great intimacy with the Lord. And when you’re in great intimacy with God, you’re not walking in sin. You’re not going to get comfortable in any way in sleeping with the enemy.”

He firmly believes that Christians with this level of commitment will reap the reward of moving in God’s power.

“When you submit yourself to God and then resist the devil, he will flee from you. But if you submit yourself to sin and then try to resist the devil, it won’t work. This is a song for true believers, Christians willing to follow God at all costs. Christians who want to see His power change lives around the world.”
I Got That Bomb will be available on all digital outlets Saturday, April 25.

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Positive Hip Hop Steals the Show at Def Jam Contest

03/28/2020 by lastdayrecordsllc

Behind the Scenes, Fresh News, Last Day Records, Paztuh Mike History

Positivity Prevails

Positive Hip Hop Steals the Show at Def Jam Contest. When Paztuh Mike stepped on the stage, he knew the crowd of hip hop enthusiasts was in for a surprise. They’d already been grooving to gangsta rap tracks throughout the evening, so they were primed for more of the same. What they didn’t know was that Paztuh Mike planned to flip the script and deliver the unexpected.

The backdrop was the 2015 St. Louis Hip Hop Festival featuring Def Jam’s Quincy “Big Heff” Taylor. Twelve of the area’s best unsigned hip hop artists were all vying for the top spot in the competition and the chance for an informal meet-and-greet with Big Heff. The crowd’s reaction to each rapper factored into the final decision, which ultimately rested in the hands of “mystery” judges who mixed in with the spectators.

Paztuh Mike kicked off his five-song set with a simple question: “How many gangstas I got in the house?” Collective shouts rippled through the room and hands waved in the air. He invited the “real gangstas” to make their way toward the stage. They quickly obliged, inching closer as the song’s hard-hitting beats began wafting through the speakers. Then Paztuh Mike broke in with his lyrics:

Dang it feel good not to have to be a gangsta, Dang it feel good, Dang it feel good

What I realized about the game

Is everybody wanna slang that crack cocaine

It’s ‘bout that money man

Everybody want to stay the same

Ain’t nobody tryna change…

The Unexpected

Definitely not the message everyone was expecting to hear, but it didn’t matter. They were hooked. Paztuh Mike performed his songs effortlessly, entertaining the crowd while showcasing candid lyrics that both encouraged and inspired. By the end of the night, despite being the only contestant spitting positive messages on the mic, he was the clear-cut favorite and ultimate winner. He met Big Heff briefly, but already knew he would continue down the independent artist path.

“I ran the streets for years,” Paztuh Mike explains. “But then God got a hold of my heart. I was leaving that life completely behind when the Def Jam event rolled around. Initially, I signed up because I wanted people to hear my new music and my message, but I knew I couldn’t go back to an image that repped what I was walking out of. I was committed to turning my life around and helping others do the same. I appreciate all the careers Def Jam has launched, but I knew I had to stay on the path God had for me.”

After the Show

After the show, several of the rappers he competed against were quick to let him know how much they liked his songs. Combine that with the fact that he won a similar contest two years earlier, and he knew the talk that gangsta rap was the only rap that sells was a myth. He was proving otherwise. That reality kept him motivated through the years.

“It hasn’t been easy surviving in this industry as an independent artist,” Paztuh Mike says. “I’ve had to overcome a lot to still be standing here today. But it’s worth it. My desire to change the pimp mindset and help other indie hip hop artists avoid some of my pitfalls is what keeps me going. I have a purpose and I know it’s more than rap.”

Giving Back: Last Day Records Music Business Services

His desire to mentor and serve other music artists led to Paztuh Mike starting Last Day Records (LDR) in 2019. At the heart of the label is its Music Business Services, where artists “pay for the service, but the advice is free.” LDR only works with independent artists who are dedicated to producing positive, uplifting music. Unlike many record labels, performers pay a flat fee for services with no commission to LDR at any point in the process. That means they’re able to own all their work and maintain complete control of their creative rights. LDR’s services include but aren’t limited to publishing and royalties; digital distribution; copyright; label setup; web design; graphic design; and photo and video shoots. Paztuh Mike believes LDR will allow him to educate others about all that he’s learned during his 13-year hip hop career.

“Our goal is not to screw you,” he bluntly says. “This business is tough and I’ve seen firsthand the deals that often come with a high price. Most times, an artist has to give up a lot in return. I truly want to help others make it, put money in their pockets, and have them be who they want to be, not someone other people tell them to be. I believe all I’ve learned over the years can help. That’s why I started LDR.”

Take A Chance

Paztuh Mike urges those who want to do positive hip hop but may not think there’s a market for it to think again. He offers some practical advice for these artists.

“Take the chance and go ahead and record the music. And then go and perform it in front of people. You’ll see that fans want to hear positive music. But here’s the thing, it can’t be corny. Positive doesn’t mean corny, so you can’t come with a Barney beat. The beat can be hard-hitting, have that gangsta vibe, but your lyrics are what need to be positive.

“And positive doesn’t mean not real either,” Paztuh Mike adds. “You can talk about your struggles but if it’s positive, it won’t glorify that pimp lifestyle, it won’t glorify that gangsta life, you don’t have to downgrade women. You can use your story to relate to people, but tell the whole story, the negative costs that come with certain choices. Your goal is to always let people know there’s a better way.”

To learn more about LDR’s Music Business Services, visit lastdayrecords.com.

Who is Paztuh Mike!?

03/16/2020 by lastdayrecordsllc

Behind the Scenes, Fresh News, Paztuh Mike History

More Than Rap- a simple phrase that represents Paztuh Mike’s life. His potent and authentic lyrics, words and stories relate to a broad audience; from sacred to secular, pulpit to street, young and old. Depending on the listeners, the message may have a different flavor but it always conveys the same hard-hitting truths. Be prepared for Paztuh Mike to rattle your conscience and your car speakers. He’s open for both speaking and performance engagements at schools, churches, detention centers, state prisons and more. You’ll be encouraged, refreshed and challenged to become the best you that you were meant to be. Book Paztuh Mike today!

No Regret: Rapper Picks Ministry Over Music

03/08/2020 by lastdayrecordsllc

Behind the Scenes, Paztuh Mike History

HipHop, MinistryOverMusic, PAZTUHMIKE, St. Louis

What would you do?

What would you do if one of hip hop’s most well-known A&R reps called you directly, gave your music props, and invited you to perform live for him and his team? Sound too good to be true? Think again. That’s exactly what happened to Pa ztuh Mike. Read more about how this rapper picks ministry over music.

The Call

It was a typical weekday. Paztuh Mike was at work, busy taking care of a few projects, when his phone rang. On the other end was one of his ministry team members telling him about a “weird” call she got from someone inquiring about his music. She went on to explain, “He said he’s with…” As she struggled to remember the name of the record label, she eventually spurted out enough details to let Paztuh Mike know this was no ordinary call. He told her she had spoken with A&R royalty in the hip hop world. The record label was one of the top in the game.

Paztuh Mike took down the man’s contact information and quickly dialed the New York number. When he got through and verified the caller was legit, the A&R rep went straight to the point.

“My team’s been tracking your music online for about a year,” he said. “We like your style. We want you to come to New York, open for one of our main artists, and then meet with me directly. You cover half the costs, we’ll get the other half.”

Paztuh Mike knew this was part of the test. A chance for the rep to gauge his willingness to invest in his own career. By the time they hung up, word about the opportunity had already spread among Paztuh Mike’s team. Excitement was spilling over from everyone…everyone except Paztuh Mike.

Is God in it?

“I immediately prayed to God,” he recalls, “and asked Him to make it plain if I wasn’t supposed to take this offer. I know it seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime chance and everybody around me was hyped, but I’ve learned no matter how good something looks, if God’s not in it, then I’m not doing it.” “Plus,” Paztuh Mike adds, “even though the rep seemed interested, I wasn’t sure if he had actually listened to my music or was just repeating what his team had told him.”

The fact that Paztuh Mike didn’t have the money to make the down payment made the invite even more daunting. But, when one of his team members offered to help cover the costs, the ball started rolling. The break he had been waiting for seemed just a plane ride away.

Divine Intervention

Paztuh Mike spoke with the A&R rep a few times during the day. Meanwhile, someone from his team drove around town looking for a place that would wire the payment. She kept hitting unforeseen snags, but finally found a service that could handle their request. Despite the hurdles, things seemed to be moving forward.

At the same time, Paztuh Mike was at his team member Candice’s house, on the phone with the rep. As they finalized travel details, in walked Teasha, Candice’s daughter. Teasha had convinced her mom to let her interrupt Mike because she had something important to tell him. When Teasha asked for a few minutes of Mike’s time, he ended the phone call and gave her his undivided attention.

Teasha, who didn’t know anything about what was in the works, began to share: “I had a dream last night,” she said. “In it, you had a big opportunity that everyone was excited about. You had to fly out for this project. While everyone was watching your plane take off and cheering you on, the plane ended up crashing and you died.”

Then this happened…

Paztuh Mike immediately thought about his earlier prayer: for God to make it clear to him if he wasn’t supposed to go on this trip. Within minutes, he was back on the phone with the A&R rep letting him know that he wasn’t going to accept the offer. The rep was floored.

“Do you know how many people want this chance?” he asked.

“I know,” Paztuh Mike told him, “but I’ve got to do what God wants me to do.”

“I believe in God too and know that a lot of times this is how He works, putting opportunities like this in front of us.”

The rep made a few other convincing points, but not enough to sway Paztuh Mike’s decision. His priority, Paztuh Mike explained, was his nonprofit organization, Men Standing Positive. He candidly told the rep that he knew God was calling him to hit the streets and make his service to others his No. 1 mission. “If this will take me away from that, then I can’t do it.”

Paztuh Mike’s passionate talk was met with silence. So much silence he was sure the rep had hung up on him. But the call was still connected. Then he heard these words, “Man, honestly, that’s one of the realest things I’ve ever heard. Seriously, if you ever need anything, hit me up at my number.”

No Regret

With such a huge opportunity right at his doorstep, it would be easy to understand if Paztuh Mike looked back on that time with regret. But regret, he says, is nowhere in the picture.

“When you do things God’s way, there’s never any regret. At the time, I was still promoting myself under the MiNiMe stage name, a label I was no longer proud of. Plus, as I told the rep, I knew I couldn’t walk away from my time in some of St. Louis’ toughest neighborhoods. Those lives mean too much.

“To any up and coming artist,” Paztuh Mike adds, “stay true to what God has shown you. Stay true to yourself. Do things His way and you can’t go wrong.”

* The names of the A&R rep and record label were purposefully omitted

RAPPER TAKES 13 YEARS – 1 SONG

02/12/2020 by lastdayrecordsllc

Behind the Scenes, Fresh News, New Release, Paztuh Mike History

FULL STORY

Rapper Takes 13 Years-1 Song: THE MAKING OF KEEP ON- A 13 YEAR JOURNEY

When Paztuh Mike first wrote his up-tempo track, Keep On, he had no idea the song was a glimpse into his future. As he says, “the song’s inspiration was prophetic.”

After writing and fine-tuning lyrics, recording beats multiple times, and collaborating with vocalist Shadale Johnson, Paztuh Mike knew he had a potential blockbuster on his hands. The straight-shooting song tells of his determination to accomplish his vision despite negative circumstances and religious traditions standing in his way. With each lyric, Paztuh Mike makes it clear that he’s not concerned about how a situation looks. No matter what, he’s going to keep walking by faith.

Little did he know how much faith it would take to finally get Keep On from the studio to the masses.

A Work in Progress: (Rapper Takes 13 Years-1 Song)

Paztuh Mike penned the lyrics to Keep On in 2007. The following year, he laid down beats using a Casio keyboard. He knew this was just a start and re-recorded the beats in 2010 once he got his hands-on better equipment. Around that time, Paztuh Mike was on the hunt for a vocalist to sing the track’s R&B-inspired hook. “I wasn’t just looking for the right voice,” he says. “I also wanted a singer with the right character.” He quickly discovered this combination wasn’t as easy to find as he thought. Some ladies had stellar personalities but mediocre vocal skills. Others were top-notch singers but were caught up in the studio’s reputation for recording some of the industry’s biggest superstars.

Fifteen auditions and a whole lot of frustration later, Paztuh Mike’s engineer mentioned he had a cousin who might fit the bill. Although Paztuh Mike’s skepticism was high, he heard his engineer out and watched a YouTube clip of this cousin singing a rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz. As soon as Paztuh Mike heard her, he knew he had to give the young lady a call. A few moments later, he was on the phone with Shadale explaining his purpose for Keep On and her role in bringing that purpose to life. He also asked her a few pointed questions to test her character. Shadale passed with flying colors and since she happened to be in St. Louis from her hometown of Atlanta, she arrived in-studio shortly after their initial conversation.

Shadale’s soul-stirring addition was the final touch the song needed. Despite the long talent search and investing over $5,000 in studio time, Paztuh Mike was beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. Or so he thought. He didn’t foresee that an unexpected obstacle would delay Keep On’s release for another 9 years.

Worth the Wait

Just weeks after recording Keep On, Paztuh Mike clashed with the studio and his management team, a rift that led to an eventual split. In the process, the master recording of Keep On was lost. Despite the setback, Paztuh Mike refused to give up. In 2014, he flew Shadale into town to re-record the track. The following year, they shot the music video for the song. More time passed after that, but it was time well spent. Paztuh Mike was ordained into ministry, founded his nonprofit, Men Standing Positive, and got married. The single will debut Thursday, Feb. 13 on WRFU, 104.5 FM during the Afterwork Drive Show with DJ BJ Clark.

“It’s been a long road,” Paztuh Mike says, “but it’s been worth the wait. Keep On means so much more to me now because I’m carrying out the vision I rap about. When I first wrote the song, I only imagined what I’d eventually be doing. Now, I’m living it.

“I believe it does a good job of representing what I stand for as an artist,” Paztuh Mike continues. “And I hope my story catches people’s attention and inspires them to ‘keep on’ no matter what they face. Life isn’t always easy, but if we walk by faith, we can overcome anything that comes our way.”

This is the true story about how this Christian Hip Hop Artist Paztuh Mike went from MiNiMe to Paztuh Mike in his music career and ministry.

What’s In A Name? From MiNiMe to Paztuh Mike

01/01/2020 by lastdayrecordsllc

Behind the Scenes, Fresh News, Paztuh Mike History

Call Him MiNiMe:

When Paztuh Mike first hit the hip hop scene, fans knew him as MiNiMe. The name sprang up years earlier when neighborhood friends started making comparisons between Mike and his uncle. “You’re a mini version of him,” they’d say. But another confidante, Kevin, had taken Mike under his wing and was teaching his young protégé how to navigate the streets. Kevin knew Mike and his uncle well, so it made sense for him to have an opinion about Mike’s identity. One day he told him: “Man, you’re not a mini version of your uncle. You’re your own person…a mini version of YOU.”

“Mini me?” Mike responded.

“Yeah,” Kevin said. “Minime”

Mike, who was 14 at the time, wasn’t too crazy about the nickname. But Kevin didn’t care. He called Mike “Minime” whenever he saw him. And others in the neighborhood followed suit.

During the next few years, Mike honed his rap skills and earned a reputation as one of the best hip hop artists around town. Kevin approached him with a simple proposition: “If you ever make it big in the rap game, stick with Minime.” Mike agreed, but still wasn’t thrilled with the prospect of taking the stage as Minime. So, he didn’t think much of the conversation. That is, until tragedy struck. Just one year later, Kevin died in a car accident.

“When I found out about Kevin, I immediately took on MiNiMe,” Mike recalls. “The name was his idea. I wanted to honor his memory and keep the promise I’d made to him.”

MiNiMe’s popularity kept growing with the rise of his recording studio, MiNiMe Studio Productions. His music was hard-hitting and raw, promoting a lifestyle of fast money, drugs, and women. It was a lifestyle he knew all too well. He’d grown up fatherless, so the streets shaped his character and his songs. Even though his lyrics degraded women and promoted violence, his rap skills were undeniable. MiNiMe was getting a taste of what he envisioned for his future: a path to becoming one of hip hop’s greatest rap superstars.

But God had other plans.

The Transformation

Behind the scenes, Mike was growing tired of his loose lifestyle. At the same time, he was having regular conversations with his grandmother about Jesus. After numerous visits with her and much time in prayer, he eventually committed his life to following Christ.

Although fans still knew him as MiNiMe, an obvious change began to take place in his music. He continued to make creative beats and showcase his lyrical brilliance, but he no longer bashed women or promoted the pimp mindset he had grown accustomed to. Instead, his songs spoke of hope, saving himself for marriage, and holding onto God no matter what came his way. It was a transformation everybody noticed.

Losing It All

Mike was enjoying his new lease on life when God began to challenge him about his career. He constantly told God that he loved music, but would give it all up if his wife came into his life. One day, God asked in return, “But would you give it all up for Me?” For several days, Mike heard this question in his heart and his answer was always the same: “Yes, Lord.” Then he received another directive—“You’ve done a really good job seeking my hand. Now it’s time to seek My face.” As Mike contemplated all that God was stirring in him, he found himself on his knees one night crying out, “Lord, I will give all this up for You!” From that moment, a process began to take place that forever changed Mike’s life. He admits it was a process that got off to a rocky start.

“Right after that prayer, everything started falling apart,” Mike reflects. “And I mean within days. I lost my car, my recordings, my studio time…I had nothing to show for all that I had invested over the years. Before I knew it, I was bitter and mad at God. But the truth is, I loved my music more than I loved God. I was already doing some ministry, but music was the only thing I thought I was good at. So I gripped onto it. My music was everything to me. God knew He had to get me to the point where I really would give up everything for Him.””

From MiNiMe To Paztuh Mike

For the next five years, Mike focused on ministry while he went through a healing process and a change of heart toward God. In that time, he truly learned to put God before his music. And then, in 2014, he felt the Lord’s leading to pick up the mic again. That year saw a boom in Mike’s music and ministry. He was certain his career was about to take off. But there was one more piece of personal business he had to address: his stage name.

People had already begun to call him “Pastor,” another label he initially ran from. He understood more than anybody that real change had taken place in his life, but he wasn’t interested in such a “churchy” title.

“By this time, I was ministering nonstop,” Mike says. “Folks living in these urban areas didn’t see me as an outsider, someone behind a pulpit they couldn’t touch. They saw me as one of them, someone they could actually see doing the work that needed to be done. It was important for me to stay approachable and relatable. I didn’t think being known as ‘Pastor’ would help me do that.”

With time, though, that outlook changed. Over the next few years, he grew his nonprofit, Men Standing Positive, was ordained into ministry, got married, and served in neighborhoods, schools, and churches around the St. Louis region.

“I knew it was time,” Paztuh Mike explains. “God had been dealing with me about changing my name for years and I was finally ready to listen. He had nothing to do with the creation of MiNiMe and He didn’t want me to have anything to do with it either. It was part of my past. Now it was time to take the title He had placed upon my life.”

Mike embraced “Pastor,” gave it his own creative flair, and officially put MiNiMe to rest. Now, Paztuh Mike was, and is, here to stay.