Meet Spike Yee | Musician/artist/freelance MC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Spike Yee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Spike, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I chose to pursue an artistic/creative career because for most of my life, it was what I was naturally good at. As a child, my art and music classes were always a breeze (and the only classes I got consistently strong A’s in). Factor in the years of music lessons (piano, drums, guitar, vocal) and my time spent on stages in my early years, it only made sense that I would gravitate towards this realm as a professional career.

Music and art have always spoken to me, way more than the rest of society has. I’ve always been able to learn from it and draw further inspiration which has allowed me to cope with life’s realities a lot better than most, I feel like. It’s what keeps me sane, so why wouldn’t I want to continue doing this for the rest of my life?

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart from others is simply my perspective on life. As a first generation Chinese American who grew up in Appalachia, my take on reality is definitely a unique one. That being said, I do also believe it’s what makes my marketability a little more difficult than for most rappers. Finding a core demographic to speak to has always been the struggle starting out, given my geographic location and subject content. However, the internet has made things a little more feasible these days so I continue forward with the tools I’m given and the resources I have. My brand is simply me, and nothing else. It is the values and morals I represent, it is the way I walk and talk, and the way I carry myself. People focus too much on aesthetics these days and misunderstand that to be what they call a “brand.” Granted, that all plays a part. But your brand is not only the colors and images you use, but the feelings you put behind them and the intentions set forth.

Things in this industry are never easy, nor is the path for any independent artist. Artists like myself and my associates do things with conviction, because we believe in it. I always tell people that if I was in this simply for the money or fame, I would’ve quit a long time ago. The path of an independent artist can be a slow but rewarding journey, if you know what to look for and what to accept. I just want people to know that no matter what happens, music and art will always be a part of my soul, and that enthusiasm will always translate through whatever that is created.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If you’re coming to Morgantown, WV, you better be ready to kick it (literally and figuratively). Bring your hiking shoes.

We’re going out to Cooper’s Rock in the fall, or Blue Hole in the summer. These are places where you can completely disconnect from the matrix of our human reality, and reconnect your soul & spirit with the earth. Be one with nature. West Virginia is a beautiful state, with rolling hills and valleys, and beautiful plant and animal life- making for an ecosystem that fully represents the grit and the beauty of this area. You can witness the full circle of life when you venture out into these woods, and it’s a wonderful thing. The people of this state carry an automatic resilience that can only be respected, and that is seen in every town and city here. This is something that I am adamant about bringing to light when talking about the Appalachian area, and if you visit then you can see it for yourself.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I definitely want to shout out my DJ and main producer, Dom Guillermo- who goes by the stage name of Proper. He and I have been working together over the years in making music and throwing events under the business “Subtly Loud LLC.” We’ve been holding down the music scene here in West Virginia for a few years now and have started branching out to the surrounding regions in efforts to continue and build our music careers. Together we have thrown a multitude of shows/events, and have released a number of singles and musical projects along the way.

Website: https://dot.cards/spikeyeezy

Instagram: https://instagram.com/spikeyeezy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-mei-58988143/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/spikeyeezy

Facebook: https://facebook.com/spikeyeezy

Youtube: https://youtube.com/spikeyeezy

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0vhwOfxtfFdYCdYTzJOzJE?si=wW6_78vXTZ6XhPJTuNf0AA

Image Credits
Grayson Hall Jesse Schaffer Tanner Henson