From humble beginnings in Naples to high-profile collaborations with Snoop Dogg and Drake, Mike Hero’s story is one of passion, persistence, and purpose.
Starting out as a DIY booker and underground scene-builder, he went on to launch Ripping Family, a platform that supported thousands of emerging artists across Europe. When the pandemic forced a reset, he reinvented himself as a solo artist, learning production from scratch and pouring his life into music. Now, with MN2S behind him, Mike is releasing a new track every month ahead of his debut album, due in late 2025. We caught up with him to talk about his journey, his creative ethos, and why giving back is still at the heart of it all.
How did you get into music? What is your musical background?
When I was 5, I found a toy guitar in my sister’s room. As soon as I learned how to play a single note, I started saving €1 a week — my allowance as a kid — with a dream in mind: buying a real guitar. Years later, I asked my parents for permission to buy one, and they said no. So I came back home with an electric guitar and amp I bought on my own. Little by little, they started supporting me.
At 18, I started my first band in Naples and booked my own DIY shows. Soon after, I launched a local contest called Heroes Contest Lab in 2010, which sold out every night and helped give visibility to the underground scene. I didn’t care about money — never had it, never chased it. I just wanted to help people play music. That mindset led me to launch Ripping Family in 2011, a Facebook page offering free booking for emerging bands. First in Italy, then all across Europe. I became a booker, tour manager, and performing artist. Eventually, I was overwhelmed by the volume of requests — hundreds per day — and artists pushed me to formalize everything.
That’s how Ripping Family became my company, with 5 official businesses registered: One in Italy. One in Nevada, USA. Three in Kentucky, USA. I organized hundreds of tours and thousands of gigs all over Europe. I also personally performed in half the continent, with sold-out shows in places like Eisleben (Germany) and Minsk (Belarus). Then the pandemic hit and destroyed my old business model overnight. But instead of giving up, I started building my future again — from scratch. I studied production, mixing, and mastering using AI tools like ChatGPT. I recorded and produced my first EP at home, played solo shows, and appeared on national TV. My company is super active and my dream too! My lyrics are my life. My music is my truth. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.
Tell us about your first release – what was special about that one?
My very first EP wasn’t even in English — I see it more like a rehearsal, a test. It was honest and raw, but not my real artistic beginning. For me, my first real release was “Snow” feat. Snoop Dogg. The song is about my father, who passed away too soon. He was the lead singer of a band called Condor, and I’m sure he’d be proud of what I’m doing today. That song is my way of staying close to him — it’s full of love. Every time I hear it, I feel like he’s right there with me.
Tell us about the new release with Drake?
“True Love” feat. Drake reflects the duality in my life — between chaotic nightlife and deep emotional connection. We all live to experience both: dancing like crazy in a club, and then loving someone with all we’ve got. That song is about that contrast, but it also speaks about something deeper — the sadness I feel when I see people stuck in their phones instead of looking each other in the eyes. It’s emotional, real, and painfully current.
Could you describe your musical style and creative vision?
Everything I write comes directly from my life. I sing with the emotion of emocore, then I layer those same vocals over hip hop beats. That’s how my sound is born — emotional truth over raw energy. I’m proud to say that my beats are produced by Anno Domini Nation, a legendary team who worked with 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, the NBA, Coca-Cola, Adidas, and more. I love what we’re building together. I don’t follow trends. I just live, write it down, and turn it into music. That’s my vision — and it’s never going to change.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking of entering the music industry?
Send yourself a short email: with your plan, your goal, your location, your why. Then stop planning and start doing. Help people. Support them. If you give, people will love you. And when you’ve got love, you’ve got power — and with power, you get to play. Love is the engine. Help others grow and you’ll grow too. That’s the only rule I’ve ever followed, and it’s taken me across Europe and beyond.
What are your plans for the rest of the year and beyond?
This year, I’ll release one song every month and then drop a full album between December 2025 and January 2026. Each song features a major international artist. I’ve already released /announced tracks with Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Drake — and there are more coming. That’s my plan for the next 3 years: consistency, quality, and real collaborations. Of course, I’m also planning tours, both as a performer and as a booking agent.
What have you enjoyed about working with MN2S?
For me, MN2S was always a dream — something massive and untouchable. Being part of it today means the world to me. Your booking roster is insane, and the label services you offer give independent artists and labels the feeling of being on the VIP side of the industry. It’s empowering, exciting, and deeply professional. I’m grateful to be part of it.