After meeting singer Mikey Spice just over 10 years ago, self-described producer/writer Michael “Mikey Shines” Stewart began working on songs with that singer, best known for hit singles like ‘Practice What You Preach’ and ‘I Am I Said’.
Over the years, the South Florida-based producer has released songs from those recording sessions, such as ‘Energy’ and ‘Sunshine’. The latest of their collaborations is ‘Wanna be With You’, which came out in early March on his Tell Dem Music label.
Since launching his production career, Stewart has worked with acts such as Marcia Griffiths, Jimmy Riley and Frankie Paul. He describes Mikey Spice as the consummate professional.
“It is always a good thing to find somebody that can apply themselves…proper grammar, and also do the work that fits what you’re doing. I check for him as a great singer in terms of delivery and so forth. As a writer, he does good things for what I’m writing, like lovers rock,” said Stewart.
Mikey Spice remains a popular attraction on the live reggae circuit. He is in demand throughout Florida and did well at recent events like the Westchester Reggae Festival in New York and Rebel Salute in Jamaica.
The dreadlocked Stewart is from Manchester, a rural parish in central Jamaica. He got involved in the music business during the 1980s while living in New York City but stepped up his productions a decade later when he moved to South Florida.
In addition to the aforementioned, Stewart has produced songs by Wayne Wade, A J Brown, Fiona and Gem Myers.