“I want to do more everywhere, not just Chicago. I want to expand my impact to other cities and take Chicago worldwide.”
MR. WEST$IDE
Mike DFG is a 22-year-old artist known for his powerful sound, storytelling, and dynamic stage presence. Blending raw emotion with high-energy anthems, he has built a name in the underground scene through projects like Line Of Fire EP and Love Letter To The West. After performing at major festivals including Lollapalooza and Riot Fest, along with headlining Reggie’s Rock Club and launching his own festival, Summer of Greed, Mike continues to grow his influence. Outside of music, he uses his platform through the Recording Academy, John Walt Foundation, and his nonprofit Bigger Than The City to create impact beyond the stage.
Q: Chicago has a sound like nowhere else. How has the city shaped who you are as an artist?
Mike DFG: Growing up on the West Side of Chicago definitely taught me how to grind, hustle, and stay ambitious. It gave me strength that I can always pull from. I always remind myself where I came from because without that, I wouldn’t be the man I am today.
I pulled a lot of that from my first mixtape Love Letter to the West and carried that into my current project Heisman. It’s a newfound pride, and I just want to show that 290 got it too.
Q: Was there ever a moment you almost walked away from all of this? If so, what kept you going?
Mike DFG: Multiple times. I had moments where I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with life. I was in a place where I didn’t like the art I was creating.
Sometimes if you love something enough, you have to walk away from it and come back. I actually retired after my first mixtape because I wasn’t feeling it anymore. Then inspiration came back, I assembled my team, and we got right back into creating.
When I came back, I wanted people to feel the impact.
Q: What kept you going?
Mike DFG: The people. People connected with the art and told me they needed more. That’s when I realized it was bigger than me.
I started making music for myself, but now people can relate to my struggles and emotions. Putting those feelings into songs makes it easier for people to understand.
Q: What was the process of creating Heisman?
Mike DFG: Heisman was like lightning in a bottle. I had the title for years, but Kayla Sellers from my Starting Five team helped reignite that fire. She saw that I was quiet after Love Letter to the West and pushed me.
We worked on this project in silence for about nine months. I focused on the art, the world-building, and everything creatively with my team — Danny Pleckum, Aiden, Twino, myself, and Kayla.
We became the Starting Five. I play quarterback and make sure everybody has what they need. Every song was created within about two weeks, recorded, mixed, and mastered.
Seeing Chicago react to what we built has been a blessing.
Q: Which visual you’ve created hits different every time you watch it back and why?
Mike DFG: I have two.
The “Miss The West Side” visual means a lot because I actually took stunt coordination classes and did my own stunts. I was fighting and doing action scenes like I was turning into John Wick.
The other one is the Heisman trailer because I had that vision from the moment I created the title. I knew exactly how I wanted it shot. Seeing that vision come to life was crazy, and Kayla helped make it happen.
The world we’re building isn’t even close to being done.
Q: If someone has never heard your music before, what is the first song you’d play them and why?
Mike DFG: I’d say “G Shit” because it shows everything I stand for and my mindset.
“YTN” is another one because it captures where I am right now — a 22-year-old rapper from Chicago chasing dreams and making them happen.
And “Heisman” because it represents Chicago.
Q: What is one thing you know you still need to level up on as an artist?
Mike DFG: My overall presence. I want to do more everywhere, not just Chicago. I want to expand my impact to other cities and take Chicago worldwide.
Q: Are you seeking a record deal or do you want to remain independent?
Mike DFG: I don’t mind remaining independent as long as I can, but if the right people come with the right terms, I’m open.
I’m very big on controlling my own destiny. I don’t want my art taken advantage of or controlled. If someone is trying to amplify my impact, I’m with it. But if they only see me as a dollar sign, that’s different.
Q: What is something the industry doesn’t tell you about being an independent artist?
Mike DFG: As an independent artist, you need a job. You need income. You have to invest in yourself.
This isn’t cheap. You have to spend money to make money. That’s how people end up in bad record deals — because they have ideas but no money behind them.
If you invest in yourself, you can build your own thing and keep control.
Q: Who in Chicago do you think is slept on right now and deserves more flowers?
Mike DFG: OK DZ is definitely someone who has been slept on. That’s actually my cousin, and he’s been working for a long time.
On the women’s side, I would say Dialect Trey — she’s a West Side artist and she’s really talented. Also Madame Starlet, who is creating her own wave outside of traditional hip-hop.
Those are my top three from the city.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the future?
Mike DFG: I see myself reaching that next level before 27. That’s my five-year plan.
I’ll be finishing college, and the foundation will already be built. Then it’s about how I can 10X everything I’m doing.
I’m only competing with myself. I want my impact to outlast everything. I want people to know I was a good person who made great music and gave back to my community.
Q: Give us something exclusive that nobody really knows about you.
Mike DFG: I’ll be doing On The Radar Wednesdays in New York, so that’s a real exclusive.
I’ll also be doing a show in New York at the end of the month.
Q: What never fails to put a smile on your face and why?
Mike DFG: Whenever I have a show and kids come up asking for pictures or autographs.
I’ll never turn down a kid because I remember being that kid. I have a little sister named Hope, and I want to be that big brother figure.
No matter what, I’ll always make time for them because those moments mean something.
