• Music

LATIN RAPPER MYKE TOWERS DOESN’T WANT TO BE DEFINED BY MUSIC GENRES

Apr 15, 2024 @ 1:00 pm By Taylor Winter Wilson

If you’ve never heard of Puerto Rican artist Myke Towers, it’s time you came up from under whatever rock you’ve been under! At only 30-years-old, Myke has taken the Latin airways by storm and now he’s ready to make his mark in America. We sat down with Myke to learn more about his trajectory in the music industry and what he has coming up next!  

FEATURE INTERVIEW:

You’ve spoken about your hometown being very festive with music always playing in the background. Tell us more about your upbringing in Puerto Rico. 

 I was born in Rio Piedras and grew up in Caimito. Just like most Puerto Rican families, music was always playing in my household and from a young age, I developed a curiosity for it. But it wasn’t until the age of 16 that I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in it. Before then, I didn’t see myself as a singer or songwriter. 

You learned how to write songs from your grandmother having a karaoke machine, a studio and tape recorder and learned how to write songs from that. Tell us about some of your favorite memories during this time when you first began to write songs.

When I started doing shows in the early stages, I could see people’s reactions from the lyrics I had written when I was alone, with headphones on… I loved that feeling and knew that I wanted to continue pursuing it. 

Many people know Puerto Rico is the home of reggaeton. What has it been like working with various music styles including reggaeton?

I like to consider myself an artist who can do all types of genres: dancehall, afro beats, trap, rap, hip-hop, dembow – my versatility and ability to play with all kinds of genres is what makes me stand out.  

What song growing up got you into music?

I can’t think of a particular song but reggaeton legends Tego Calderon, Ñengo Flow, Hector El Father and their flow as well as big salsa kings Gilberto Santarosa and Victor Manuelle, with their elegance of writing lyrics were the ones that got me into music. 

Growing up you were really into studying music, sports and fashion. Now that you’re in the music industry, do you see yourself getting more into fashion? Who are some of your favorite fashion designers?

Yes, I would love to get more into the fashion industry. My favorite fashion designer is Ralph Lauren – I love elegant pieces that are timeless. I eventually would love to collaborate and work on a fashion line with big names or streetwear companies. 

You’ve spoken about how your family didn’t think you were serious about music when you first started. When did your mom first realize you were serious about your music career?

The moment she saw how determined I was to pursue it as a career – I spent my afternoons and evenings in the studio rather than out and about. When she saw the videos of me on stage as well.  

You once said that you saw music as an escape. What do you feel like you had to escape from early off in your career? How has your music helped you in other areas in your life?

Music is like therapy for me – I can write about profound issues or situations that I go through, or I can write about the mundane, day to day life that I have when I’m not in the spotlight. From the beginning I found comfort in music and discovered that it helps me process difficult situations. 

Tell us about your experience working on your project “LYKE MIKE”. Which song on this project is your favorite?

“Jugador Franquicia” – it’s one of my favorites but the entire album is about venting about everything that one is going through. Making music from the highs and the lows, it’s about feelings, not looking to have a commercial hit.

Looking back at your first mixtape to now dropping your next album, how has the music changed?

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve also gone through new life experiences. Thanks to those, I’m able to talk about everything more maturely and my vocabulary and ability to quickly write bars has also improved significantly. I’ve seen the world through different perspectives and have been to countries and cities I had never been to, that have allowed me to expand my view on how I write my music.  

How is your music disrupting the reggaetón music scene?

I always like to push the boundaries of reggaetón music and I’m always studying the current music scene to see how I can be different. I recently released a collab project with Ovy On The Drums, Cassette 01, the first of its kind and we’ve tapped into talents from different countries like Joaquina from Argentina and Ryan Castro and Blessed from Colombia to deliver new sounds.  

What is one piece of advice your mom gave you growing up that has stuck with you?

To always keep yourself grounded and humble and never forget where you came from.  

Your 2nd project “Easy Money Baby” was released 4 years later in 2020 and includes your son on the cover. Why did you take such a huge break in between projects and what would you say is the biggest difference in your sound from the two projects?

I didn’t want to be seen as just an artist who releases mixtapes – I wanted to conquer the commercial and reggaetón fanbases. I was also always listening to the music movement that I currently am a part of. Daddy Yankee is the one who helped me realize that. I needed to include and embrace the female audience as well and make music that they would enjoy and dance to, not just the trap and hip-hop sounds for the streets. 

You’ve spoken about how the Internet gave you a new path and allowed you to study your audience. Talk to us about how you built your fan base early on in your career when the internet wasn’t as big as it is now.

My fanbase started on SoundCloud when it was more common to have your friends share the music through word of mouth. My first freestyle, “Transformers Freestyle”, began to make its way around the island – I wanted to see how people would first react to my sound. I knew the pressure was going to eventually get to me to put out more music, so I figured I’d let the music do the talking first and if they liked it, I would continue making it! 

Some of your biggest hip hop influences have been Biggie Smalls, Jay Z & Drake. In your opinion, how has your music been affected by their styles?

In my early days, I freestyled a lot over Drake instrumentals, and he is really the main inspiration that has influenced me and my music. I’ve always liked what he does. From Biggie I’ve always liked his delivery of his raps and bars, there is this very laid-back feel about his music.

Jay Z, I look up to as a businessman and he’s kind of the “father” of all of them, the leader… I admire his ability to keep his life private and that is also my approach when it comes to social media, trying to keep most of it to myself.

I will say though, that Drake has the one big advantage which is his female audience and following that also moves masses, and he is the one I align myself with the most: I can do a trap song as well as I can do a commercial reggaetón song.  

How has fatherhood changed your life?

My son and my family are who I do all of this for, they are my motivation and constant driver to continuously work and always put my best foot forward. 

You’ve dedicated a lot of time to music over the years since you’ve been making music for over 10 years. What have been some of your favorite moments since you’ve become a musician?

Sharing my successes with my fans and family, working and collaborating with globally renowned artists such as Tiesto, Camila Cabello, Anitta, Cardi B, J Balvin.  

What is your favorite spot to kick back in Puerto Rico?

The beach 😉 

What is your favorite fragrance to wear on a date?

Clive Christian 

What is one thing your fans would be surprised to know about you?

I’m Puerto Rican but don’t drink coffee!   

Tell us about your latest single? 

My latest single, “La Falda”, is part of my last album “LVEU: Vive La Tuya… No La Mia”, which is a continuation of my March 2023 released album “La Vida Es Una”. I worked on it with the producer duo Full Harmony, and I knew instantly that it was a hit as soon as I heard it! I knew I had to include it. I love seeing how fans all over the world have connected to the song by doing their dances on social media and it’s crazy to hear the crowd sing every single word at my shows! 

Let’s talk about your song “LALA”. Where did you get the inspiration for it?

The song came together in the summer of 2022 when I was on tour in Spain and the producers Full Harmony sent me the beat, which I immediately knew was a hit. Women are always an anchor from which I draw my inspirations from. 

You’ve spoken about how music is the first level for you. Outside of music, what other ventures would you like to pursue?

Sports, fashion as well as philanthropic efforts in underserved communities. 

What is next for you?

Aside from always working on new music and pushing my creative process forward, I want to be more in the sports space, specifically baseball and basketball, as well as the fashion space. Of course, I will always be playing shows and tours, you know, my fans mean the world to me! 

TEAM CREDITS:

Editor in Chief: Prince Chenoa (@princechenoastudio)

Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)

Cover Art Design: Sebastian Chicchon (@jager.noon)

Photographer: Shamylle Estevez (@shamyllle)

Produced By: (@boltfilmstudio)

Art Direction Assistant: Zoila Molina (@zmolina.v)

Art Direction Assistant: Estrella Gonzalez (@estrellaamayya)

Grooming: Natalie Ruiz (@artistry.nat)

Stylist: Kyla Knyper (@kylaknyper)

Special thanks to Stephanee Santamaria (@stephaneesantamaria), Christian Love (@styledbychrislove) @tercerojewerly @denizetercero @luudan_official

About The Author: Taylor Winter Wilson

Junior beauty and lifestyle editor for Galore. Made in Detroit - Living in Atlanta.