5 Things You Need To Know About Mike Schpitz’ “Prize Package”

RefinedHype favorite and the greatest rapper to ever come out of Topeka, Mike Schpitz, is readying to drop a new mixtape, "The Prize Package" via the mothership, yours truly and the good folks at YNotMyDream, and because the project's got such a unique story I invited the man himself to break it down. If only more rappers made homage to delicious burgers the world would be a better place.

Harold's Prize Package: The Inspiration

"The Prize Package Volume 1" is inspired by the legendary burger dive, Harold's Prize Package in Topeka, KS. Not only can you get a tasty double cheeseburger, onion rings, fried okra and a Welches Strawberry, you can get Swisher Sweets, Lottery Tickets, bootleg movies and perhaps some oil for your car. Although it's only open on weekdays, that greasy brown paper bag is one of the best lunch time meals you can find in Topeka. It's unassuming white building only adds to its legend causing many passers by to not even notice it at all. Lunchtime is absolutely insane so, it is highly recommended that people call ahead unless the phones are too busy. Then, you just have to wait a while.

6th and Locust: On Location

The artwork for the project was an obvious choice after I came up with the title. I brainstormed with my "art guy," Heath O'Campo(who also grew up eating Prize Package) and we came up with some ideas about how we wanted the artwork to look. We got together over Thanksgiving break, the day of my Annual Homecoming Reunion show, and took some cool pictures. We went back a few days later to take some more pictures on the weekend so, there weren't a ton of people and cars crowding the pictures. Lunchtime at Prize Package is pretty insane especially if you don't call ahead. We made a bad decision that day to not call ahead. We got some great pictures though and of course some great food.

Ingredients: Features and Production

This project features more emcees and producers than any other project that I've complete because it is a compilation of material from the last three years. It features guest appearances that I've done on other peoples projects, unreleased tracks and other tracks that were featured on various mixtapes and as leaks. It's pretty much a one stop shop for a lot of the music that I've done in the last several years that haven't been a part of my four releases. I wanted people to be able to download one project and hear all the different stuff that I have done in addition to working on and releasing my other projects. I got guys like SLOT-A, Ill Brown, Maja 7th, Parker, THX, Seoul Avenger, Ta-Ku, Lord Quest, Ill Legit, etc, providing beats on there. I have worked with so many different people but that doesn't necessarily come across when I put out my projects. I got a few features on the project too. I got my guys Adullessence, Dre Dai, Pete Sayke Papi Jamon, SLOT-A, Ill Legit and House On Mars on tracks. I have met so many talented people since doing music and I have been blessed to be able to work with a lot of them. These are just a few tracks where I got the chance to collab with various artists. Once again, there aren't many features on my other projects so, its cool to be able to put all these tracks together on a project so, people can hear what I've done.

The Menu: The Chef's Favorites

I know every artist has his or her favorite songs and although I try not to play favorites, I do have a few favorite songs on Volume 1. Songs are like children. I tend to love them all the same because the way I make music, I try to make sure whatever I record is good enough to put out. I know I've written some subpar shit but chances are no one will ever hear that. I like to make sure that I'm happy with a song when I write it, that if I actually do record it, I know it is good enough to come out. Like my other projects, The Prize Package has 21 tracks of songs that I am all proud of however, my favorite songs on this project would have to be Do It Right, Daily News, One Thing, Fit Right and Check What. Do It Right is actually a Madlib beat from his project, Shades of Blue, that I had SLOT-A rearrange a little bit so we could make a song. He recorded a verse and hook for it and killed it. All I had to do was record a couple verses. It is the newest song on the project too so it's a little fresher than the rest. I also love Daily News and One Thing because they touch on some real shit. They both detail experiences that I have gone through so they are meaningful songs. Check What is also one of my favorites because the beat just had a throwback, east coast kind of feel to it. Dre Dai sent me the beat and was like write to it so, we each wrote and recorded two verses and I think it turned out nice. Last but not least, Fit Right is a record I did back in 2008 for the 100K Battle on UrSession.com. I am sure tons of aspiring emcees downloaded beats and make songs to various tracks in that contest. Fit Right is a THX beat that I heard and absolutely loved. I wrote the verses and hook and knew it was an anthem. I got that record to THX and he said he fucked with it and actually sent me a couple more beats to use, one being Money Talks, which is on the project. That was a cool experience. THX has some SICK tracks so, I was glad he fucked with the record. I think people will like the whole project though and everyone will have their own favorites.

To Go: After Taste

Harold's Prize Package, despite it being one of the most unhealthy meals you can eat, always leaves you wanting more. Even when your absolutely stuffed and ready to pass out, you are already planning your next trip. Like Harold's, I think this project will leave people wanting to hear more. It's a pretty hefty amount of songs, 21 tracks total but I think there are songs are here for everyone. People will definitely pick and choose their favorites but I think everything on the "menu" will leave people wanting to come back for more. This project is really an ode to my hometown, Topeka, KS. Regardless of where people move after high school and what not, Topekans have a lot of pride about ourselves and our hometown. We understand it's limitations and many of us move out of the city but Topeka is always home. The Prize Package is basically a "shout out" too everyone from Topeka. We all share a special bond and places like Harold's Prize Package are one of those bonds. Hopefully this project will not only raise awareness about myself and my music but about Topeka as a whole and of course, one of the best burger joints around, Harold's Prize Package.

Keep it locked for more info and music from Schpitz - "The Prize Package" drops March 31. O Ley Do It.