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Put your hands on the remote! browse music »SimpleTruth by Mikuak Rai
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fave it Soul | Modern Folk
13 tracks | 63 minutes
Released Oct 2004
on SoulFolk
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for a 30-second preview. All tracks are 192kbps high fidelity sound quality. Protected WMA $0.77 or unprotected MP3 $0.88.
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- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:26 Rainbow lyrics BUY MP3 04:26 Rainbow lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:26 Rainbow
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:48 Circle lyrics BUY MP3 04:48 Circle lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:48 Circle
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 02:31 One Way lyrics BUY MP3 02:31 One Way lyrics "GIFT MP3" 02:31 One Way
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:17 Give Thanks lyrics BUY MP3 06:17 Give Thanks lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:17 Give Thanks
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 05:15 Woman lyrics BUY MP3 05:15 Woman lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:15 Woman
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:12 Every Time lyrics BUY MP3 04:12 Every Time lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:12 Every Time
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 05:06 More lyrics BUY MP3 05:06 More lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:06 More
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 02:13 Down 2 Earth lyrics BUY MP3 02:13 Down 2 Earth lyrics "GIFT MP3" 02:13 Down 2 Earth
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 07:56 Ocean lyrics BUY MP3 07:56 Ocean lyrics "GIFT MP3" 07:56 Ocean
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:50 Never Alone lyrics BUY MP3 04:50 Never Alone lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:50 Never Alone
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:37 Wait No More lyrics BUY MP3 04:37 Wait No More lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:37 Wait No More
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 05:31 Goddess lyrics BUY MP3 05:31 Goddess lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:31 Goddess
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:12 Tapped In lyrics BUY MP3 06:12 Tapped In lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:12 Tapped In
Acoustic Soul/Folk with a Cosmic Consciousness
Bio / Background
An "indigo child" born Easter Sunday to a heroin-addicted mother in the inner city of Chicago...thus sets the stage for the life and art of Mikuak Rai (pronounced ma-koo-ah ray). Overcoming life-threatening circumstances during his first moments, Mikuak has always known he has a special purpose, an undeniable calling, and that music is central to fulfilling his life work.
Adopted at the age of two into a loving family, Mikuak was influenced by the diverse musical tastes of his parents, ranging from The Beatles and Bob Dillon to Earth, Wind, & Fire and The 5th Dimension. At the age of seven, Mikuak asked to be given piano lessons, and by age ten he was composing his first songs and performing in school jazz band.
Sometime during early adolescence, Mikuak, fortunately, though much to the chagrin of his mother, discovered the music of Prince & The Revolution; and, his idea of performance and songwriting was forever changed.
↓ more ↓It became very clear, one afternoon, sneaking away to play his cassette tape of Purple Rain for the thousandth time, that he, too, would one day share his songs with the world. However, during the years of high school and college, Mikuak, in pursuit of an education, diverted away from performing or even writing music; and, it was not until he left Howard University after his sophomore year, in search of something more, that music reappeared in his life. This time it was absolutely personal, and music served as a vehicle for self-inquiry and spiritual discovery.
In 1997, Mikuak (then known as Matthew Payne) co-founded The Movement, the longest-running weekly open-mic production on the East Coast, which continues to offer a platform to thousands of amateur and renowned artists including Jill Scott, Raheem DeVaughn, and India.Arie. Ever the performer at heart, and with a deep need to create and express, he co-founded and sang lead vocals with Moya, a Washington, DC-based progressive funk-rock-soul outfit that gained critical and popular acclaim throughout the region during the late 90s into the Millennium. In addition to playing a number of high profile gigs, including DCs Millennium Celebration and Taste of DC, Moya served to influence the musical direction of many up and coming DC artists and bands.
As a performer, Mikuak has contributed songs to various compilation albums, and as a songwriter, he has co-written, composed, and produced for a number of DC artists. In early 2004, Mikuak briefly performed in a jazz & world music ensemble called Hi-Fi, which included vocalist Ayanna Gregory, hip-hop duo HueMan Prophets, and jazz pioneer Brother Ah. Through his writing, music, and activity as a performer and event promoter/producer, Mikuak helped initiate and perpetuate the contemporary urban arts renaissance in the heart of the nation's capitol. Through the power of spoken word and song combined with an evolutionary, cutting-edge sound, Mikuak's affect on the music and creative arts scene of Washington, DC is indelibly etched.
Folk artist, truth seeker, spiritual warrior, planetary steward, and world-bridger...this describes not only his purpose, but also the nature and intention of his music. His first solo release, "SimpleTruth" (BEarth Tones Music/SoulFolk Innertainment), takes listeners on a veritable guided meditation through a kaleidoscope of thought and emotion, set to the backdrop of natural, acoustic piano. This recording represents a return to the Source - live, organic, soul-filled artistry...elegant simplicity. Love, awareness, forgiveness, and awakening are the prevalent themes of this album.
With a soothing vocal presence, poignant lyrics, and soulful sincerity, Mikuak's sound and content have been compared to that of the late John Lennon and Donnie Hathaway as well as Gil-Scott Heron, Bill Withers, Ben Harper and John Legend to name a few; though, with one listen, it is clear that singer, songwriter, musician, and composer Mikuak has crafted a style all his own. As he sings on the albums first song entitled Rainbow, "It's time to shine that light and break out from the norm"; and, that is just how Mikuak intends to be...free from the norm, free to shine.
Please email soulfolk2013@yahoo.com for booking info and other inquiries. Visit www.cdbaby.com/mikuak to listen to more samples and to purchase "SimpleTruth".
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