About “Lions Gate”
“Lions Gate”, the new single from Mickey O’Brien, pairs him with Moka Only for a cinematic journey through transformation, purpose, and perseverance. Built upon a ferocious but surprisingly soulful, rock-infused boom bap beat by MPC master and Juno nominated producer Fresh Kils with cuts by Uncle Fester, the layered lyricism of the two MCs explores destiny, growth, and the doors that open when preparation meets opportunity. See this single performed live when Mickey and Moka hit the road in the latter half of August on a cross-Canada tour to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Hand’Solo Records.
Written and performed by Mickey O’Brien and Moka Only
Produced by Fresh Kils
Cuts by Uncle Fester
About Mickey O’Brien
Over the past two decades, Nickel City MC Mickey O’Brien has been an inspired voice in the Canadian rap scene with his boundary-defying, concept-heavy music. Even prior to his emergence as a solo artist in 2019, while still a member of rap-rock outfit Kill the Autocrat, O’Brien proved himself a powerful voice of the north for hip-hop. Whether he’s expressing his failures and triumphs in love (Twin Flame), taking a deep dive into his experience with addiction (Shift Change), or tackling the spectrum of emotions (Orebody), O’Brien’s effortless vulnerability is a key component in the cultivation of a new wave in honest, emotional hip hop. Now with tours in Japan, Australia, Ireland, the UK, a few American cities, and twice across Canada, he is delivering his message of recovery and positivity worldwide. Mickey O’Brien prides himself on pushing his own personal boundaries in his relentless pursuit to make art that i
