Mask Off with Hawaii Mike episode #21: MICK

Mask Off with Hawaii Mike episode #21: MICK

Author: Hawaii Mike May 21, 2025 Duration: 1:46:13

From being the overlooked kid in Youngstown, Ohio to becoming a celebrated DJ, entrepreneur, and father, MICK (formerly Mick Boogie) joins Hawaii Mike for a revealing convo on identity, transformation and the mental health awareness.  They dive into what it means to wear masks in public and in private, the power of embracing your past and how curation and creativity can change your life.

Episode Highlights:

  • - The story behind changing his name from “Mickey” to MICK and building a brand

  • - Lessons from DJing in Cleveland and why your limitations can define your sound

  • - The emotional weight of being introverted in an extroverted industry

  • - A dumpster, a drugstore, and what it taught him about identity and self-worth

  • - Full-circle moments with De La Soul and the photo that sums up his whole career

  • - Why giving others grace is a form of mental health preservation

  • This one’s for the misfits, the late bloomers, and anyone learning to own who they are.



    🎙 Hosted by Hawaii Mike ⁠@hwmk⁠

    🎬 Produced by: Hawaii Mike, Cynical Smith & Zenobia Simmons

    ✂️ Edited by: ⁠@GeneralSteele⁠

    🎵 Music by: ⁠@BudaDaFuture⁠

    📍 Filmed at ⁠Fly Private Social⁠ in Brooklyn by Bucktown USA Productions.


    Follow @MaskOffPod

    Follow Hawaii Mike @hwmk

    Follow Mick @MICK


    Hosted by Hawaii Mike, Mask Off with Hawaii Mike exists at a vital crossroads where daily life, mental well-being, and the powerful influence of Hip-Hop culture meet. The conversation around mental health remains particularly difficult in many communities, a reality Mike understands firsthand after navigating his own unexpected struggle with depression. His decision to speak openly about it revealed a shared, often silent, experience among many. This podcast builds on that moment, creating a space where those unspoken stories can finally be heard. Each episode uses the raw honesty, lyrical depth, and resilience found in Hip-Hop as a lens to examine our inner lives. You’ll hear candid discussions that strip away the stigma, moving beyond statistics to the personal truths of getting through the day. The aim is to foster a genuine cultural shift, one honest conversation at a time. By blending personal narrative with broader cultural commentary, this podcast offers both solidarity and practical perspective for anyone who has ever felt the need to hide their struggles. Tune in for a series that is as much about finding strength in community and art as it is about confronting difficult topics head-on.
    Author: Language: English Episodes: 33

    Mask Off with Hawaii Mike: The intersection of life, mental health and Hip-Hop culture.
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