In the age of pre-fab pop (ala American Idol), it’s nice to see a new pop artist who proved that you don’t have to manufactured to be success. His name is Mika (Me-Ka), a 23 year-old Lebanese currently living in London. A gifted man, he started to make the rounds trying to get picked up by a music label. He was turned down by all, if only because they wanted him to change everything that was him, to fit a common pop mold.
Undaunted by this, he refused to be shaped into something he was not, for a demographic that seems as nebulas as success of Britney Spears. He wrote “Grace Kelly” - and a bunch of others - to prove them wrong.
And surprise, after hearing "Grace Kelly", the labels came around and signed him on. It’s ironic, really, as the song is sort of gibe at them, with lyrics that ask:
Why don’t you like me/Why don’t you like me/ Why don’t you like yourself?/Should I bend over/Should I look older just to be put on the shelf?
But behind that elfish look, and charming smile is a young man with talent. If I had to compare him, I would say his influences cover many people and groups, including Scissor Sisters, Elton John, The Beatles and Five for Fighting. His lyrics are very intelligent and resembles the talent makes Rufus Wainwright such a delight.
And while his debut CD Life in Cartoon Motion is a huge success in Europe, the sad aspect is that he’ll never be as popular as he should -along with Scissor Sisters, I might add - because he is gay. And for weeks leading up to the UK release of the CD, many interviewers asked him about his sexuality. He was evasive in answering them, but I fear it was not because he was not ready to come out, but I’m sure there was pressure from his label to keep it down, in fear of hurting him in the US market.
However that may be changing now, as I read a interview with him about a week ago when another reporter asked him that same question. And while he once again, never said the words, he did tell them that its very obvious what his sexuality is: Just listen to the song "Billy Brown", about a married man of three children who falls in love with another man.
Besides, if there’s one thing I’m good at, is knowing family.
Undaunted by this, he refused to be shaped into something he was not, for a demographic that seems as nebulas as success of Britney Spears. He wrote “Grace Kelly” - and a bunch of others - to prove them wrong.
And surprise, after hearing "Grace Kelly", the labels came around and signed him on. It’s ironic, really, as the song is sort of gibe at them, with lyrics that ask:
Why don’t you like me/Why don’t you like me/ Why don’t you like yourself?/Should I bend over/Should I look older just to be put on the shelf?
But behind that elfish look, and charming smile is a young man with talent. If I had to compare him, I would say his influences cover many people and groups, including Scissor Sisters, Elton John, The Beatles and Five for Fighting. His lyrics are very intelligent and resembles the talent makes Rufus Wainwright such a delight.
And while his debut CD Life in Cartoon Motion is a huge success in Europe, the sad aspect is that he’ll never be as popular as he should -along with Scissor Sisters, I might add - because he is gay. And for weeks leading up to the UK release of the CD, many interviewers asked him about his sexuality. He was evasive in answering them, but I fear it was not because he was not ready to come out, but I’m sure there was pressure from his label to keep it down, in fear of hurting him in the US market.
However that may be changing now, as I read a interview with him about a week ago when another reporter asked him that same question. And while he once again, never said the words, he did tell them that its very obvious what his sexuality is: Just listen to the song "Billy Brown", about a married man of three children who falls in love with another man.
Besides, if there’s one thing I’m good at, is knowing family.
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