A human microphone, also known as the people's microphone, is a means for delivering a speech to a large group of people, wherein persons gathered around the speaker repeat what the speaker says, thus "amplifying" the voice of the speaker without the need for amplification equipment.
The speaker begins by saying "mic check". When the people near the speaker respond "mic check", the speaker knows they have the group's attention. The speaker says a short phrase, part of a speech, and then pauses. Those that can hear what the speaker has said repeat the phrase in unison, and when finished, the speaker says another phrase, then pauses again waiting for a response, etc., until the speaker's speech is complete..
If the entire gathering still cannot hear the speaker, organizers ask for additional repetitions by those at the limit of earshot. For large gatherings, this may require two or three waves of repetition.
The use of electronic amplification devices, such as loudspeakers or bullhorns, may require permits for "amplified sound". The use of human microphones provides a way for people to address large gatherings without running afoul of such requirements. The human microphone was first used in the anti-nuclear protests in the United States and later in the 1999 Seattle WTO protests.
"Mic Check" is the first single by rapper Juelz Santana from his second studio album What the Game's Been Missing!.
The song samples "The Roots Mural Theme" by Quincy Jones.
"Mic Check" is the third single by British Grindie band Hadouken! to be released from their second studio album, For the Masses.
The song was originally going to contain a sample from Double 99's RIP Groove, however due to clearance issues, the sample was removed to prevent delays in the release of the album. When the sample was cleared for use, Mic Check was announced as a single. There are three versions of the song; the album version, the radio edit, which is exactly the same as the album version but with the sample reinstated, and a remix which contains the sample and is a heavier, dancier version of the song.
Following strong radio airplay throughout March and April 2010, "Mic Check" debuted on the UK Dance Chart at #14, before climbing to #13 the following week. Upon release, the single climbed a further 5 places to its current peak of #8.
Raashaun Casey (born September 3, 1977), known by his professional name DJ Envy, is an American disc jockey (DJ). He is also one of the three hosts of the syndicated radio show The Breakfast Club with Angela Yee and Charlamagne Tha God and an MTV2 VJ for The Week in Jams.
A native of Queens, New York, DJ Envy was tutored by neighborhood acquaintance DJ Clue?, who introduced him to the mixtape circuit in the mid-1990s. He quickly climbed up the ranks, and by the early 2000 he was peddling the latest freestyles and exclusives for big-name rappers like Jay-Z, 50 Cent and The L.O.X.. Since his reputation was so esteemed, DJ Clue signed him to their affiliate label Desert Storm Records. In 2003, he released his commercial debut album entitled The Desert Storm Mixtape: Blok Party, Vol. 1.
Envy's big break on the radio came when he mixed once a month for Hot 97's show called "Takin' it to the Streets", hosted by Angie Martinez from 12:00 am to 4:00 am, but later filled in when Angie Martinez got pregnant. He then co-hosted Hot 97's morning show with Miss Jones from 6 am-10 am daily. His run on the morning show ended in July 2008 when Miss Jones moved to Philadelphia. Envy spun on his own mixshows on Hot 97 called "The People's Mix" on Saturdays from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm and "The People's Choice Hit List" on Sundays 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. He had a segment on Hot 97 titled "New at 2", where he played the newest hits from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm. He hosts Hip-Hop Nation's afternoon show on Sirius XM Radio on weekdays 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm EST and on weekends he used to do a show from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Power 105.
[DJ Envy (DMX)]
Let's take it to Yonkers, Blok Party
(Uhh, yeah! WHAT?!) New DMX! (Grrrrr..)
[DMX]
Niggaz is scared to fuck with the Dog cause I'm shady {Yeah!}
You remember that kid from runnin up and down from Buildin 80? (UHH!)
Highs are extreme (uh-huh) lows are suicidal
Got me reachin for the Bible cause I, think I'm genocidal (yeah)
Fakers think I'm bluffin but I'm not (not)
Say that I be buggin cause I be makin it hot (whoo!)
Knowin all I got is my, nuts and my word (aight?)
Though I'm never seen, the Dark is always heard (uh-huh)
I speak for those who speak with glocks (UHH) from frequent blocks (UHH)
Where the objective is to put in twelve, stay alive and leave in knots (UHH)
From little rocks bein sold
Then motherfucker, if you LIVE to see 40 then you old (damn)
And me bein the way I am, if the Devil close to me
That's the reason why I'm never I'm supposed to be
I chose to be, on some Dark shit (uhh, uhh, uhh, uhh)
Rip apart shit and start shit until whenever I depart bitch (UHH, WHAT!)
The hard shit, will leave yo' ass stretched laid the fuck out (whoo!)
I'm on the edge, WHAT! (UHH!) Life is played out
I made out, kinda good with the last couple of runs
Up the, coast with it; couple of keys, couple of guns (uh-huh)
The funds wasn't the issue, it was OTHER shit (uhh)
that had me flippin on my brother's shit, stealin from my mother's shit (UHH)
Cry by myself, I couldn't hide form myself
And if I push my wig back, then I die by myself
Cause it gets..
[Chorus x2: DMX] [singing]
Deeper and deeper
With every move I make I'm fallin
Deeper and deeper
These souls from underground keep callin
[DMX]
Why is it that I do what I do? (WHAT!)
Why is it that, only to these streets can I be true? (UHH)
I ain't never been shit, my peoples been told me so
Hold me yo; niggaz don't, know me yo!
Cause they ain't out that mob that's out to get niggaz (UHH!)
Rip niggaz, split niggaz when you hit niggaz (UHH!)
Long as there's bodies to be caught, there's shotties to be bought (YEAH)
Hired that transport, fake Gotti's to extort
I cry for help but niggaz don't, hear me (AHHHH!)
Niggaz don't understand me! That's why niggaz fear me (whoo)
Hit the old neighborhood cause I'm bout to end it (damn)
Stressin shit that I went through and what I BEEN did
Niggaz I offended, will have to take it as a loss
Cause in a minute, what I'm THINKIN is about to look like sauce (BOOM!)
Gots to pay the cost and this time it's gon' cost you my life
My love to my children and my, wife (peace)
Step to the last - would I, could I, should I? (uhh, uhh)
Really understand with, seein with my good eye (uhh, uhh, uhh, uhh!)
The hood I, came up in showed no mercy
Unforgiven of the many plagues that cursed me (damn)
The worst we went through would make a, grown man fumble (aight?)
Learnin to walk, and it HURTS when you stumble (yeah!)
Figure out the jumble and you live, if not you DIE
On my knees, hands up to the sky, WHY?
[Chorus]
[DJ Envy: over Chorus]
Yeah, it's the People's Choice, DJ Envy
Desert Storm Mixtape, Volume 1, Blok Party
[DJ Envy (DMX)]
Yeah! (The Dark)
What you know about, two 24 verses?
(The life) DMX.. (to fight, goin on right now)
Heh.. (tonight, f'real) fat shout
Whole Bloodline, Jazz, DMX, Uncle Ray