Nowadays, it has become increasingly difficult to have civil discussions with people. Discourse has become muddled, and more often than not, it’s because there aren’t many platforms that actually support a good and healthy discussion. It’s a good thing that Pass the Torch, a project by Michael Deering, also known as Mikey D, aims to tackle the confirmation bias by building a platform for civil discussions.
Mikey D’s reputation precedes him as he is one of the best battle rappers Queens has ever seen. His hip-hop career peaked in the ’80s when he won the best rapper award at the New Music Seminar in 1988. He began his musical journey in Laurelton at Queens, New York. He has recorded various tracks with legendary rappers and hip-hop artists such as Johnnie Quest and legendary producer Paul C. Mikey. Rap battles usually follow the format of an organized argument, which became a fundamental reason for the conceptualization of Pass the Torch.
The idea started with an array of industry giants. Other founders of Pass the Torch include sound engineer, photographer, and radio personality Eric “Big Vegg” Sullivan; rapper and host Ladi Miz; graphic designer Cal Cutter; filmmaker and producer Pritt Kalsi; and radio personality Geechie Dan.
Pass the Torch aims to break down the walls that divide different people from different walks of life. It is a platform that allows people to speak their minds without worrying about the backlash. The arguments are organized and always end in mutual understanding. The goal has always been to educate and not separate.
It’s undeniable that social media has had a lasting effect on why we cannot discuss things as a society. With the way people are always connected these days, knee-jerk reactions have become commonplace. People would usually just resort to insulting and hurtful remarks rather than assess a certain situation. Pass the Torch fosters a community where people can feel safe to express their opinions. Mikey D expresses that it’s always important to see both sides of an argument. So he organizes the argument itself, making it a debate.
The team behind Pass the Torch has put a particular emphasis on creating unity within hip-hop circles. They aim to bring different generations of artists together from both traditional and new wave circles. It’s about bridging the gap and building respect for each other’s culture, which in turn will breed acceptance among the artists.
Pass the Torch is looking to launch a distribution company this coming September 11. The company is also aiming to launch a brand-new business model as well as Mikey D’s upcoming single, “Talkin That Shhh!” with Key Figures joining the crew as the producer of the track.
In the near future, Mikey D and the team at Pass the Torch hope that they can organize more campaigns, projects, and events that would unite all artists and audiences from different walks of life. Unity has always been the number 1 cause, and Pass the Torch has been a huge step toward that cause.
Find out more about Pass the Torch and Mikey D’s astounding work by visiting their official website.
