MIKE-E

Michael “MIKE-E” Ellison is an artist of profound measure: International Hip-hop and spoken word recording artist, actor, philanthropist and youth motivator. MIKE-E was born in Ethiopia, where he supports orphan outreach and healthcare programs, while maintaining nationwide recognition with one of the country's most popular hits "Ethiopia (Everything Will Be Alright)." Stateside, the Detroit-based lyricist is recognized for repeat performances on HBO's Def Poetry Jam, appearing regularly in nationally televised spoken word vignettes for the NFL, and teaming with the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY (ACS) to orchestrate and headline the AFROFLOW TOUR – a live music concert and groundbreaking cancer awareness initiative aimed at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

MIKE-E’s remarkable stage show and current CD “AfroFlow,” recognizes Hip-hop’s indigenous roots and embraces an array of world music. This February the versatile performer’s innovative project became the first ever Hip-hop CD released by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the world's largest institution dedicated to the African-American experience. MIKE-E became part of sports and television history when he opened the NFL’s three-network simulcast with a poetic performance, as over 34 million viewers tuned in to watch the New England Patriots vs. New York Giants regular season match-up.

MIKE-E wrote, produced and appears in a series of ACS television ads promoting cancer prevention, while his acting and voice over credits span theatre, film, TV and radio. A member of Detroit’s 2002 National Slam Poetry Championship team, he was featured in urban clothier Pelle Pelle’s 2003/2004 international print campaigns covering urban lifestyle magazines, billboards and buses. MIKE-E’s “Everything Will Be Alright” Barack Obama remix scores several of the Presidential hopeful’s campaign videos and is played at rallies nationwide.