Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Hunte.
Hi Michael, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am originally from Guyana, South America, and I am the eldest of eight siblings. Growing up in a Christian home, music was always a part of my life. My dad, a pastor and a musician plays the guitar and sometimes the piano. Every day after my siblings and I came home from school, we would sit around the piano while my dad played and lead songs from church. One afternoon, my dad stepped away from the piano to help my mom prepare dinner. I got up from the floor with curiosity and excitement in my eyes. Sitting my small, 4-year old body on the piano bench, I touched one key and fell in love with the sound. Within minutes, I was playing the last song my dad played. Everyone was amazed, including me, at what just took place. At that moment, my parents knew that I was blessed with the gift of music. My gift has grown into a passion, and I am excited to share it with the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve been through many obstacles and challenges in life, but the one that stands out the most is the death of my childhood best friend, Joshua. Like me, he was a gifted musician. Every Friday after school, he came over to my house for the weekend, and we would stay up all night and play the piano. We were inseparable, and nothing could come between us and our love for music. We ate, slept, and drank music. We even missed a few days of school every week, just to jam together. One afternoon, we were walking to the river with our arms on each other’s shoulders, making plans to travel the world and perform doing what we loved. I never thought that it would be the last time I saw him. That day, Joshua drowned in the river. The hardest part was that I couldn’t save him, even though I tried with all my being. After his death, my life went into a downward spiral. I quit school, went into a deep depression, and even attempted suicide. Twenty-two years later, Joshua’s death still hurts. I still struggle to play at times, like a void that can’t be filled. I realize now that I can channel that pain through my music, creating beauty from ashes.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a musician, singer/songwriter, and producer. I love telling stories and expressing myself through my music because music is a universal language that everyone can understand and relate to. I do not pigeonhole myself into one specific genre; my style is a mash-up of Gospel, Jazz, Soul, and Electronic. As long as my music is bringing positivity and joy to people’s lives, then I feel like I have accomplished my goal. For many years, I hid behind fear and worried about what people thought of me or my art. The thing that I am most proud of is finally having the courage to release my music and share my talents with the world.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
There are quite a few people that have played a big role in my success, and I am so grateful and thankful to have them in my life. My wife Shantal is my number one supporter. I could not have asked God for a better partner. She is the driving force behind everything I do, and I love her dearly. My parents, extended family, and friends have also been an amazing support system. Maceo Keeling, a mentor, brother, and friend, always pushes me and encourages me to be all that I was born to be. He sees things in me that I don’t see in myself, and I am forever grateful to him.
Contact Info:
- Email: justmusic3691@gmail.com
- Instagram: @michaelhunte @justmusicproductions
- Twitter: @michaelhunte1
