Damaged Goods and Mikey Millions are a couple of monsters on Miami's dance music scene. But when their powers combine, they transform into something much more sinister.
As Caligula, these dudes have caused serious dance-floor mayhem. And they continue to be the go-to local openers for the biggest names in the bass game.
Tonight, they're slated to open for Mt. Eden and Figure at Grand Central, as well as Doctor P when he makes the roof shake at Revolution Live on Friday, June 7. But they still aren't satisfied.
See also:
-Caligula on Unveiling New Music and Surprises: "They're Ready for Crowd Testing"
-Mt. Eden Talks Epic Live Dubstep Show
Damaged Goods and Mikey Millions' come-up story is extreme and unusual. The pair was first introduced in 2010 by mutual friend Sam Baum of the Overthrow. A quick introduction in the studio left them interested about working together.
They made a few remixes real fast, just for fun, and submitted one of M.I.A.'s "Steppin' Up" for a big remix contest, hosted by HARD. To their total surprise, they won, and they were quickly jetting across the country.
"It was so fast," says Obi, AKA Damaged Goods. "I met Mikey two months before, and next thing we know, we're in L.A. at Red Bull Studios as Caligula. We've got a logo and everything!"
It was surreal for sure, but they guys don't let the glamorous side of things go to their heads.
"We probably weren't ready really," Mikey admits. "Our production, looking back at it now, was so basic, and we didn't have any of the techniques we do now. We listen to that stuff and it's awesome, but we're just like, 'Wow, we've come so far.'"
Mr. Millions went to college for engineering and takes pride in his ability to artfully mix and master his own creations. Because of his studies, he can recreate a sound the duo likes, help create new and unique approaches, and give everything they touch a clean finish.
"We're trying to develop not a new sound," Obi says. "We want to somehow fuse our older stuff with the newer stuff and try to tighten everything up. Just keep innovating."
Like a lot of bass-driven acts, Caligula's interest has been piqued by the trap house movement. But unlike a lot of EDM freaks, the hip-hop game is nothing new for these two. Years before he met Obi, Mikey actually got his start producing beats for hip-hop artists. And he sees a lot of his past in this "new" musical direction.
"It's almost like stuff [I made] eight, nine years ago," Mikey explains. "Back when Young Jeezy first came out, that version of trap, the real kind, that whole thing that came out of Atlanta and stuff. That was my shit at the time."
