#Deepdive Face Off with Mike Summers about working with TECH N9NE

Dive deep into the world of producing music for rap icon TECH N9NE and more as we chat with producer Mike "Seven" Summers about his drive, his power, and what it takes to keep the people going. You can watch the full interview above or on our youtube channel

Like a coach, a producer brings the best out of an artist. Multi-platinum producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Mike Summers  — previously known as Michael “Seven” Summers — quietly maximizes talent from behind the board. He enables each and every artist to not only meet but also exceed their potential.

Recognizing his work, he helmed a series of platinum releases for Tech N9ne in which Elton John once interviewed Tech on an episode of his Apple Music 1 radio show Elton John’s Rocket Hour and told him, “the production on your records is so brilliant.” He went on to describe Summers’ work as “some of the best-produced records I’ve ever heard.”

Summers has also worked with everyone from Eminem to Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne to Dwayne Johnson, Deftones, Corey Taylor of Slipknot, Jonathan Davis of Korn, Love Ghost, Rico Nasty, Wiz Khalifa, Mike Posner, Mac Miller, and Serj Tankian of System Of a Down.

Born in Kansas City and based in Los Angeles, he continues to encourage evolution in the studio, first and foremost.

“For anybody, I work with, it’s important we actually collaborate and create a sound,” Summers explains. “Either, it’s a new sound, or we’re magnifying what’s already there. I’ve been blessed to be able to work in so many different genres. I aspire to be a chameleon in terms of production.”

Growing up in KC, he studied piano at seven years old and knew he would spend the rest of his life in music. During middle school, he taught himself how to use a synthesizer and picked up his first drum machine, recording and cooking beats at home by the young age of thirteen. Upon watching the classic flick Breakin’, he became infatuated with hip-hop, and began producing tracks for his high school buddies, and selling tapes on campus. At the same time, he obsessed over the likes of Rick Rubin and DJ Quik in addition to learning guitar, drums, and bass.

Through hanging out at a local favorite record store, he met influential Kansas City staple, DJ Fresh. After expressing his appreciation for Tech N9ne, Fresh’s brother introduced 14-year-old Summers to Tech at the studio. Uncovering creative chemistry, the relationship between Summers and Tech was just about to ignite.

Following a stint in Los Angeles scoring The Boondocks Season 1 under producer Big Tank, he returned home and linked up with Tech on the seminal 2006 gold-certified full-length Everready, infusing orchestral and string samples and augmenting the ominous cinematic overtones. Working with live orchestras down the line, he eventually arranged the strings, translated them into sheet notation, and directed the players for various tracks.

Summers launched a legendary run with Tech, crafting multiple tracks on three Top 5 albums on Billboard Top 200—All 6’s And 7’s [2011], Something Else [2013], and Special Effects [2015].  Among many highlights, he produced the platinum “Worldwide Choppers” [feat. Yelawolf, Twista, & Busta Rhymes], “If I Could” [feat. Chino Moreno & Stephen Carpenter of Deftones], “Fuck Food” [feat. Lil Wayne, T-Pain, & Krizz Kaliko], “Speedom (WWC2)” [feat. Krizz Kaliko & Eminem], “Face Off” [feat. Joey Cool, King Iso, & Dwayne Johnson], and more.

Along the way, he architected XV’s “Textbook Stuff” [feat. Kendrick Lamar] and “Awesome” [feat. Pusha T], which soundtracked high-profile campaigns for NBA2K and Verizon.

At the same time, he drew an international spotlight to his hometown as his music resonated worldwide.

“Kansas City was a blank slate,” he states. “You could do anything... for me, I saw it as an opportunity to create a sound for my city. We didn’t have the competition of the East Coast or West Coast. It was a tougher journey, but we were able to build a foundation for something very special.”

It set the stage for much more from Summers. With placements across hip-hop, rock, pop, reggae, country, and beyond, he elevates the artist's voice across the culture and to the stratosphere.

“When people hear my production, I hope they notice the nuances,” he says. “I have my own ingredients to make music stand out. I always add an extra layer by infusing unorthodox elements. I try to think outside of the box to create original and identifiable music.”

ABOUT MIKE SUMMERS:
Multi-platinum producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Mike Summers  — previously known as Michael “Seven” Summers — quietly maximizes talent from behind the board. He enables each and every artist to not only meet, but also exceed his or her potential. Recognizing his work he helmed a series of platinum releases for Tech N9ne in which Elton John once interviewed Tech on an episode of his Apple Music 1 radio show Elton John’s Rocket Hour and told him, “the production on your records is so brilliant.” He went on to describe Summers’ work as “some of the best-produced records I’ve ever heard.” Summers has also worked with everyone from Eminem to Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne to Dwayne Johnson, Deftones, Corey Taylor of Slipknot, Jonathan Davis of Korn, Love Ghost, Rico Nasty, Wiz Khalifa, Mike Posner, Mac Miller and Serj Tankian of System Of a Down. His run with Tech remains legendary. He crafted multiple tracks on three Top 5 albums on Billboard Top 200—All 6’s And 7’s [2011], Something Else [2013], and Special Effects [2015].  Among many highlights, he produced the platinum “Worldwide Choppers” [feat. Yelawolf, Twista, & Busta Rhymes], “If I Could” [feat. Chino Moreno & Stephen Carpenter of Deftones], “Fuck Food” [feat. Lil Wayne, T-Pain, & Krizz Kaliko], “Speedom (WWC2)” [feat. Krizz Kaliko & Eminem], “Face Off” [feat. Joey Cool, King Iso, & Dwayne Johnson], and more.  Along the way, he architected XV’s “Textbook Stuff” [feat. Kendrick Lamar] and “Awesome” [feat. Pusha T], which soundtracked high-profile campaigns for NBA2K and Verizon. With placements across hip-hop, rock, pop, reggae, country, and beyond, he elevates every artist’s voice across the culture and to the stratosphere.