Hidden Gems: Michael McKenzie
One of the most humble creatives in the San Antonio scene is Michael McKenzie, who has gone through many transformations in his artistic career and has conquer graciously in all of them. First starting as an artist & videographer in the music collective THRDLBL under the name Rismm Images, he free-flowed his lyrical aggression with devastating components in his raps. It secured his place in a top tier setting in the city since there were no artists that dare to fuck with his pen game nor came close at the time.
Not long after, THRDLBL was progressed over to Midnight Swim, where he kept the rap moniker briefly before transitioning over to his government name that people were more familiar with already due to his overgrowing character in the city. It was not long after where he decided to put music aside and focus on other aspects of artistry, which next came photography under the sobriquet: Are You Sorry Now.
His signature style behind the lens saw the gritty viewing and realism from his perspective that showcased his keen eye for complexity and abstract. Continuing the craft, he then fell back into videography with having music he was making at the time in the background of the shots he took. He then started linking with Wes Brooks out in Austin, where he released a few visuals with him and other artists in the mix to capture aesthetically pleasing & innovative viewings. McKenzie has also offered his services with graphic designing in which he's made covers for artists like Wes, RAM & many others in the process of learning the technique.
He has recently dived back into music by sharing freestyles left unfinished but is now releasing a project on Friday titled "Selfish Contribution" that will feature them in reverent fashion. It will follow with an EP in the new year, having production from Big Tex Johnny & Skydad, which he has been working profusely on, hoping this will gradually welcome him back into music. We hope to see many more years of Michael McKenzie's creativity spread throughout the scene with his work to see outside attention soon.