Michael Brewer (aka Mike Syles), an up and coming Dayton rapper and mass communication student, has just completed the first part of his month long tour “Stylin Out” after performing with distinguished rappers Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug.
Brewer, who has been pursuing a professional rap career for the past three and a half years, embarked on a five-day journey throughout the state of Georgia with a group of 12 colleagues Tuesday, March 29 where he performed at Albany State University and Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University.
This trip is part of Brewer’s larger Stylin Out tour, which we’ll see him performing shows every weekend in the month of April, and has presented an opportunity for him to connect and attract fans outside of his home base in Dayton, Ohio.
“It was really cool to be able to do that and get a response from my fans,” Brewer said with a smile on his face.
This event has marked a mile stone in Brewer’s blossoming rap career, which has not always been in the forefront of his life.
Growing up in Shelbyville Indiana, Brewer first started rapping at the age of 16 and it was at first simply a hobby something that reflected the musical presence that was prominent in his early years.
“My dad played a lot of music that included James brown, Red Hot Chili Peppers, NWA, Snoop Dog, anything, the full spectrum,” Brewer said. “Because of that musical influence I became very familiar with a wide range of genres and that has made me a pretty musically inclined person.”
This love and knowledge of music quickly blossomed and soon manifested itself through the art of free style rap in which Brewer often practiced in his high school years.
“I always wanted to be a dancer or entertainer and then from there I some how started free styling, that’s were the name styles comes from.” Brewer said.
Brewer decided to pursue a rap career professionally at the age of 21 after recording a song as a way to cope with a break up.
“It is crazy to see then and now and that I actually did pursue this,” Brewer said “The combination of a heart break, finding my outlet and venting, and having a response at an early stage in my career.”
Brewer currently works with 2 Deep Entertainment, which is based out of Youngstown Ohio and is where he met close friend and agent Terril Vidale who made the Stylin out tour possible.
Vidale has made it possible for Brewer to perform and connect with established industry veterans such as Yung Thug and Rich Homie Quan.
“My agent gets talent and books them and he allows me to be the supporting act for the most part,” Brewer said. “He pitches me just like he would any other national recording artist and if they like what they hear they put me on the bill.”
This tour serves as a personal triumph for Brewer and he states that he no longer pays to play, he know gets paid to perform and that this is a result of his hard work.
“How these dates usually work, schools get their budgets and book three to six months in advance,” Brewer said. “You have to look three to six months in advance all of the time.”
Future acts that Brewer will be performing along side on the tour include local rapper and Wright State Alum Eazy El Loco, Jacquees, and industry veteran Omarion.
“Being able to open with Omarion, and perform with a guy that I have looked up to since I was ten is going to be the highlight of this tour,” Brewer said. “I’m ready to pick his brain and get as much information out of him. I am really excited for the opportunity.”
