Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Pofsky.
Michael, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a 22 year old artist from Newbury Park, CA. Born Michael Pofsky, I’ve been creating music for the better part of 14 years. After find a passion for music at an early age, my parents enrolled me in guitar lessons at just eight years old. I eventually began writing and recording my own music as a guitarist and vocalist under the moniker M.I.C. (Music Is Crucial). At age 14, I traded in my six strings and amplifier for six rings and a microphone to become a full fledged rapper. Having released five mixtapes since becoming an emcee, my output has been nothing short of prolific. 2017’s ‘DYNAM.I.C.’ garnered me some much-deserved buzz as it was my most complete and concise work to date. Off the strength of the DYNAM.I.C. project, I was able to organize and complete an independent tour, and press run in 2018. Sans a manager or agent, my team and I to ured the country’s top markets including New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Hawaii and Los Angeles. In April of 2019, I released RHYTHM.I.C. amidst a time of personal evolution and growth. This project began the new phase in my career, equipped with a new alias, fresh new sound, look and confidence. Enter Pofsky. 2020 is set to be my break out year as I have already secured a spot on the cover of UNDRGRND Magazine’s inaugural issue, done an interview with the hottest new podcast in LA, F.I.N.T.S., and released two four track EP’s “Trap Pofsky”, and “Balance”.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Most definitely not a smooth road all the time. There are tons of ups and downs in this industry and that’s part of learning how to play the game. Some of the struggles I’ve faced along the way have been working with different people and sorting out the real vs the fake, gathering resources to execute plans I envision, maintaining belief through the slow process of growing a fan base and so much more. One of my main goals was always to have a solid team behind me and I’ve worked with several teams now. Going through situations of dealing with egos, trying to work with people who make themselves unapproachable, teammates being selfish/greedy, etc. Although I’ve had some negative experiences through my journey it has not stopped me from putting myself out there to create a new team which is something I have established now and am highly confident in. Gathering resources and staying patient during the process of organic growth are two of the most difficult part of the music industry I’ve found for this stage. These two things definitely go hand and hand and the key I’ve learned is to really trust every step of your path. Most people don’t make it because they give up so I’ve made sure to never let that be an option.
Please tell us about your work.
I am not only an artist but also, head of marketing/event coordination, etc. for UNDRGRND Magazine. Primarily known for rapping and singing, you can also find me songwriting for other artists, executively producing projects, branding and much more. In the 805 I’ve been recognized as one of the few upcoming hip hop artists from the area, which is more uncommon in my city. For several years I’ve held my reputation to the highest standard locally, but not until this year did, I really start to venture into the LA hip hop scene. After a two and a half month PR run with RosecransVic, I started to gain a bit of acknowledgment from the LA crowd. Landed two video placements on KGBeatz page with over 250K subscribers, did an interview with the successful new podcast, FINTS and released 2 EP’s which together gained me about 20K plays on Audiomack, plus all the in-person exposure though the process. You also may recognize me as one of the seven featured artists from the UNDRGRND magazine. In its inaugural issue, the magazine breaks down each artists statistic as well as catalogue, goals, etc. – all about the “805”. Since the beginning of the magazine I have been teamed up with creator/owner, Andrew Mason and played the role of “event coordinator” to start. Conceptualizing the release party of the magazine, putting together the performance, booking the venue and so much more. My influence on the UNDRGRND brand is to steer Andrew in the right direction of making sure it becomes an overall platform, more than just a magazine. We sold out our first show at 150 guests and our second show (due to COVID) was cut short but still sold 100 tickets and played at the very last minute before quarantine. Overall, I consider myself, humbly, the next breakthrough artist from the 805, a proud co-partner in UNDRGRND and a leader of the new generation of artists coming from my city, I am a connector. I utilize my resources to benefit my colleagues and my own future.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I’d be more careful about who I let into my circle too quickly. It took me a lot of lessons to learn that. Focusing on myself before trying to make sure other people are in the right position. In order to be a successful leader, you need to be your best self. Overall, I don’t regret much, I look at all my mistakes and failures as lessons and I have grown from them. I wouldn’t take anything back!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.instagram.com/undrgrndmagazine/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trappofsky/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/trappofsky
Image Credit:
ShotsBySeiden/Luizzy G
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