BIO:

Mic Handz: A Journey of Resilience, Innovation, and Artistic Elevation

 

 

From the concrete of Brooklyn to international stages, Mic Handz has walked a path carved from resilience, vision, and lived experience. Raised in a loving yet divergent household, surrounded by the harsh realities of the streets, he witnessed close friends and family fall to the unforgiving grip of environment. Rather than succumb, Handz chose transformation. He turned adversity into artistic fuel channeling it into music, fashion, community leadership, and global connection.

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The Foundation: Building International Vision

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Long before his name became synonymous with raw lyricism and grassroots authenticity, 2006 marked a foundational moment in Mic Handz’s evolution. That year, he co-founded M19 Recordings a boutique international label based in both Birmingham, England and Brooklyn, New York. In collaboration with a pioneering British recording artist and entrepreneur, the label housed a roster of innovative producers and creatives. This experience not only immersed him in the mechanics of global music operations but also shaped his understanding of brand development, artist management, and the nuanced path of entering the music industry from the ground up. This moment would define everything that followed in his post-2009 journey.

 

 

The Def Squad Era and Industry Breakthrough

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In Spring 2018, Mic Handz’s relentless work culminated in a major industry milestone signing with the legendary Def Squad, under the direction of Erick Sermon of EPMD. The deal didn’t just acknowledge his talent; it stamped his legacy into hip hop’s canon. Simultaneously, he accepted the position of A&R for Def Stream / Def Squad Digital, shaping the evolution of digital hip hop and mentoring new artists with the same intensity he once poured into his own early days.

 

 

A Health Crisis and a Warrior’s Mindset

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Later that same year, just as his momentum surged, Mic Handz faced a devastating personal challenge: sudden kidney failure. The diagnosis forced him into immediate dialysis, even while his name was climbing charts and stages. Yet Handz did not pause.

“I am only on dialysis, while I’m on dialysis,” he declared a phrase that would embody his unshakable resolve.

He continued to record, perform, tour, and build, even as he underwent intensive treatment. When asked how he managed to balance everything—health, career, creative direction, and advocacy his answer remained grounded and humble:
“I don’t know. I never take inventory until the journey is complete. I just do and go.”

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The Pandemic, Transplant, and Advocacy

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During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, while much of the world stopped, Mic Handz kept going, enduring dialysis treatments while waiting for a miracle. That miracle came in 2020, when he received a life-saving kidney transplant. His story became one of hope, resilience, and advocacy. He began speaking publicly about Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), organ donation, and the power of transparency in healing, inspiring countless people navigating similar struggles.

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The Visionary Behind the Camera and the Mic

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While navigating his health crisis, Mic Handz remained a creative force, directing music videos for iconic artists such as Sean Price, Tragedy Khadafi, Large Professor, Royal Flush, Cortez, Ricky Bats, and others. His lens brought stories to life just as powerfully as his pen did—each frame an act of storytelling, survival, and spirit.

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Legendary Collaborations and Cultural Credibility

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Mic Handz’s collaborative resume reads like a hall of fame roster. He has recorded with Rakim, Eric Sermon, Treach, Big Daddy Kane, Sean Price, Jaz-O, Skyzoo, Mikey Dee, Shabaam Sahdeeq, DV Alias Khryst, Sticky Fingaz, Ma Barker, The UMCs, and more. These relationships are not just credits—they are reflections of his authenticity and deep respect within hip hop culture.

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Global Presence and Major Releases

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In 2019, he dropped the acclaimed album Hell on My Back: Heaven in My Wake, featuring Lil Fame, Big Twinz, Prince Po, and Rockness Monsta. Visuals for singles like “Hell on My Back” and “Mission is Clear” reinforced his storytelling depth and global reach.

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Mic Handz has performed internationally—headlining venues across Madrid, Santiago, Birmingham, Hamburg, Paris, and more. He has graced stages alongside Smif N Wessun, Mobb Deep, Planet Asia, Ras Kass, Method Man, and toured with Rockness Monsta across Europe and South America.

 

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Acting, Media, and Recognition

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A versatile performer, he also stepped into acting, starring as Milly Bucks in RAPSTAR The Series (earning a Best Actor nomination at the Urban Web Series Awards), and playing Judgement in Project Heat. Media coverage includes features on Lisa Evers’ Street Soldiers, among others.

 

Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Philanthropy

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Mic Handz has served as:

• COO of the F.O.O.D. Foundation, founded by Spliff Starr and Talayah Nicks,

• Chief Marketing & Development Officer of the Joanne Forbes Foundation,

• Strategic team member for Deb Antney’ Mizay Entertainment, managing NY road ops for Waka Flocka and Slim Dunkin.

He also partnered on SNKRHEAD NYC, a streetwear label with a flagship location on Broadway in NYC, merging his love for fashion, identity, and street culture.

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Legacy in Motion

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Mic Handz’s story is not finished. He is still recording, still creating, still giving, and still healing—through every mic, every speech, and every act of service. From the hood to the hospital, from the booth to the boardroom, Mic Handz continues to transform pain into power, and vision into legacy.

His journey remains a living lesson: resilience is not a destination , it’s a rhythm