Mike E. Clark facts for kids

Michael Earl Clark (born December 25, 1962), known as Mike E. Clark, is an American record producer and DJ. He is famous for making music with artists like Kid Rock and the group Insane Clown Posse. Clark has also worked with music legends such as George Clinton and Patti Smith.

Early Life and Career

Mike E. Clark was born and raised in Roseville, Michigan. He loved music from a young age. The first album he ever got was a collection of hits by Sonny & Cher. As a teenager, he discovered artists like Elton John, The Rolling Stones, and The Stooges.

After high school, Clark studied music production. He learned how to record and mix songs to make them sound great. Soon, he got a job at a recording studio.

Rise as a Music Producer

First Steps in the Industry

One of Clark's early jobs was helping as an engineer on a song for rock star Patti Smith. Around this time, he met a young rapper who would later become Kid Rock. Clark helped Kid Rock create demo tapes, which are like sample songs. These demos helped Kid Rock get a record deal with Jive Records.

Because he was so good at making hip hop music, Clark earned the nickname "The Funky Honky." In 1989, he also helped engineer the first album for the rapper Esham.

Working with Kid Rock and Insane Clown Posse

Clark produced a song for Kid Rock's first album, Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast. Later, he was hired to produce the first album for a new group called Insane Clown Posse. The album was called Carnival of Carnage and even had Kid Rock and Esham on it.

This was the start of a long partnership. Clark became the main producer for Insane Clown Posse and their record label, Psychopathic Records. He also got to work with other famous musicians, like George Clinton and R. L. Burnside.

A New Chapter and Health Scare

Taking a Break

In 2000, Clark was working on several albums at once, including for the group Dark Lotus and Insane Clown Posse. He felt overwhelmed and decided he needed a break from working with the group. He said, "It seemed like too much was going on... I was frazzled, we weren't getting along, so that was it."

After taking a break, Clark started his own record label called B4 Records. He also formed a new group called Project: Deadman with the rapper Prozak. They released an album in 2004 and toured across the United States.

A Serious Illness

In 2004, Clark started working full-time as an engineer for Kid Rock again. During this time, he got very sick with pneumonia. He ignored it at first, but his condition got much worse. He had to spend three months in the hospital, and one of his lungs collapsed three times.

This serious health scare made Clark think about his life. He decided to reconnect with the members of Insane Clown Posse. They began talking on the phone and fixed their friendship.

Later Career and Musical Style

Reuniting with ICP

After getting better, Clark started making music with Insane Clown Posse again. In 2007, he produced their tenth album, The Tempest. In 2009, he worked directly with the group for the first time in years on their album Bang! Pow! Boom!. He also produced their 2012 album, The Mighty Death Pop!.

During this time, Clark also produced the hit song "All Summer Long" for Kid Rock. The song was a "mash-up," meaning it mixed parts of two other famous songs: "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon and "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

What Makes His Music Special?

Mike E. Clark is known for his creative and unique style. He mixes many different types of music together in his hip hop production. A reviewer for Rolling Stone magazine said his music includes everything from carnival organs and rock guitars to banjo sounds.

His style has been compared to famous musicians like George Clinton and Danny Elfman, who is known for making music for movies. Clark's sound often blends electro, funk, and fun, circus-like melodies.

Clark has been inspired by many artists, including:

• Rock: Rob Zombie, Black Sabbath, The Clash, and System of a Down
• Funk and R&B: Rick James, Prince, James Brown, and Al Green
• Hip Hop: Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, and N.W.A
• Other Influences: David Bowie, Bob Marley, and Frank Zappa