Meet Mitchell Parkansky

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mitchell Parkansky.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Mitchell. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Here I am sitting in the back of my cousin Raymond’s car at eight years old and he presses play on the stereo. Make ‘Em Say Ugh., N Nah N Nah, N Nah N Nah. This is the first time that I heard rap music, and there would be no turning back. I didn’t know exactly what I was listening to, but I knew I loved everything about it. The way the bass hit, the rhyming, the unique way of flowing, and the story telling. The next seven years consisted of consuming as much rap music as possible. All I wanted to do was listen to this new found genre of music that I knew nothing about, until this point. I would spend hours each day in my room listening to rap music and watching BET & MTV. I recall my cousin Raymond, my older brother Matthew, and my neighbor John showing me different artist and some of these artists would really stand out more than others, so I started buying their CD’s and listening to more of these specific artists. Some of these artists included Master P., Eminem, DMX, Tupac, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne. Eventually this led to my neighbor and I purchasing turntables and driving our bikes six miles every week to Milwaukee to purchase vinyl from Phat Beat Records. Later on, John purchased a drum machine, I purchased a mic, and my dad who is a carpenter built us a small booth. I recorded and released my first song “Who The Man” feat. B.U. when I was 15 years old. This was the beginning of what would become a lifelong passion. I always tell my cousin Raymond he is the true reason I make music today, he introduced me to a world I didn’t know existed at such a young age. Thanks Raymond!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It is 13 years later after releasing my first song, and I am still in love with rap music. Now I am about to release my new project on August 21 entitled “Self Love”. Two of the singles off of this project can be found on all streaming platforms. “Potion” featuring OnCue & “Work That Body” featuring Katherine Ortiz. These are the more fun tracks on the project, as the rest have much more depth and meaning, but I wanted to release the fun ones first. It has not been an easy journey and it has been a long one, but time is really irrelevant when you’re doing something truly for the love of it, and the therapeutic benefits. I actually stopped making music for a few years when I was battling with anxiety. It wasn’t until I met Katherine Ortiz three years ago and heard her sing for the first time that the flame for creating music was reignited. Katherine and her brother Jackson are a huge part of my new EP. I can say that I finally feel like I am finding my voice and have something to say that can resonate with people. My music is personal, vulnerable and always comes from a place of truth. I don’t try to make what is “popular”; I just try to tell my story through the art. Some will relate, and some won’t, but you will definitely learn more about me, since music is really the only place I go to when it comes to opening up about things I normally wouldn’t talk about.

We’d love to hear more about your music.
My artist name is Mitch P., which is obviously just short for my real name. I knew I wanted to use a part of my name as my artist name because I knew my music would be a reflection of who I am. I was not trying to create an alter ego or be someone that I am not. When it comes to my craft, I want to always give my authentic self. I am not trying to be someone different; it is actually the opposite. I am trying to open up more about my true self. My flaws, insecurities, pain, struggles, achievements, and happiness are all right there, in the music. I think listeners will really pick up on that, especially in songs like “Alive”, “The Fire”, and “Over Again”, all which will be on my new EP. “Self Love” will consist of seven songs, all produced by Miami based producer @JohanDawn & all mixed by New York based engineer @Vally_Is_Here. Before you listen to “Self Love” on August 21, 2020 I want you to have a bit of an understanding about the project.

Here is a brief explanation for each song.

1. “Red Pill” – What better way to start a project then to give you the opportunity to take the red pill before embarking on this journey? You can expect high energy rapping for three minutes straight. No need for a chorus, just non-stop bars and gems. I wanted the project to start this way so I could catch the listeners attention and they would be like, “holy shit, dude can rap”.

This is your last chance, after this; there is no turning back. You take the blue pill and the story ends; you wake up in your bed and you believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill; you stay in wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Remember all I am offering is the truth. Nothing more.

2. “Alive” – This was actually the first song that I wrote after years of not writing any music. This was the rebirth to my musical journey. I think the same stands true for Katherine Ortiz. This was the first song we created together, which would lead to an entire project. The first verse I touch on struggling with anxiety, substance abuse and a feeling of hopelessness. The second verse and the chorus are about overcoming those challenges talked about in the first verse. It is about being in a place of gratitude, with a much better mindset and focus. It is about feeling “ALIVE” again. It is almost like something you would hear in a self-help book, but in music form.
3. “Potion” – This is a feel good track and would be best listened to while partying with a group of people, or 30,000 feet up in the air on your way to a beautiful vacation. The hook on this one is extremely catchy, and the verses have a raw sound and feel to them. *Available Now On All Streaming Platforms*
4. “Work That Body” – Get ready to dance! This should be played in the club! It definitely has hints of Latin influence. Grab a Negra Modelo, a pretty partner, and get groovy. You gotta work, you gotta work that body/ I’m not TSA, but ima search that body/ *Available Now On All Steaming Platforms*

This is where the EP takes a sudden twist and switch up. The sun has set. It is dark outside. The moon is out. I am sitting in the back of my mind looking at my fears, my mistakes, and my pain. Let’s turn this into music.

5. “Waves”- It is time for real change. The system is trying to do all they can to divide us. They want war. They want violence. They are using fear tactics to manipulate us. It is either love or hate. Which side are you on?
6. “The Fire” – This was not easy to relive. It is something I tried to bury away, something I wanted to forget about and pretend never happened. Obviously, healing was still needed and I feel writing this song became an essential part of bringing hidden emotions to the surface and letting them go. I had to truly look deep inside and admit my mistakes and flaws and come to an understanding that; whomever that person I was when these mistakes occurred, that person is not welcome in my future.

My verse on this song took me the longest to write out of all the songs on this project. I went through roughly 10 different renditions until I knew I had what I was looking for. I think it took me so long because I took an approach that I never had done in the past. In my verse there is actually no speaking from my point of view, but rather I am hearing the immense pain and hurt that I caused. I am being spoken to, and getting my ass handed to me.

7. “Over Again” – Substance abuse and addiction; especially with prescription pills has become such a huge crisis in our country. It seems like young people overdosing from pills is just starting to become the norm. It is so sad when you get a call from your mother and she says, “I just want to let you know your cousin died yesterday, she overdosed,” and before the grieving process even begins, your first thought is “I’m not surprised.” I don’t say that lightly or with any rude or ill intentions, but I don’t think we fully understand the monster that these individuals are battling against. Artist Yamile, who is featured on the chorus of this song, perfectly depicts what the struggle of addiction truly is. When I heard her concept and idea, I knew we had to run with it. The meaning of just those two words “over again” hit me so powerfully. It is a cycle that is beyond difficult to break. When it’s over, it’s over again. One last time, leads to 100 last times. Usually there are only two ways out; getting help to remain clean and breaking the cycle, or the cycle ends up breaking you.

I highly recommended listening to this EP late at night with dim lighting. Have a few candles lit and burn some nag champa incense. It also pairs nicely with a glass or two of Tequila or Mezcal. Salud!

What does it mean to be successful?
I believe that if you go after what you love, work extremely hard, and remain persistent, success will follow. I believe this to be true because the mere fact that you’re doing what you love, is success. Whatever you may be doing, make sure you’re in it for the right reasons. If money never came, would you still be doing it? If the answer is yes, you may very well be on your way to understanding your purpose. I believe true success is just doing what you love, and being happy in the process. Don’t get it twisted, the money and material possessions are not bad things, but they’re not a true measure of success. There are many who achieve those things, but still feel empty inside. So, my suggestion: put the work in, enjoy the process, and do what you love. You may need a side hustle in the meantime, but do not let your dream die.

Lastly, I just want to say: Thank you to everyone who has supported me and takes the time out to listen to my music. It is cool to be able to create something from scratch and then share it with the world. If I am able to help even just one person in this world through my music, I did my job. “SELF LOVE” AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE… AUGUST 21, 2020

 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/07Je2NfGBswwjKHJzLtXF8?si=FqBpnfwgTlaq7HcWVZ157g
• Email: bookingmitchp@gmail.com
• Instagram: Mitch P.

Image Credit:
SELF LOVE ALBUM ARTWORK
CREATED BY: @godgvenofficial
@Officialrasheed_bixler_ 

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