24 year old male artist Miami Kaos, is one of the biggest names in mixtape cover design among DJ’s and graphic designers. MK is best known for his signature photorealistic painting style, which is kept secret, despite the 100 of question topics across art forums asking how to achieve this style. I first saw MK’s work back in 2007 on a DJ Trigga mixtape (Jay-Z Vs. Lil Wayne), the cover artwork was a manipulation of Jay Z knocking Lil Wayne in the side of the face, having no idea who the DJ was, and not really caring too much about Jay’s or Wayne’s music, the artwork convinced me to download the mixtape. Well recently I came in contact with MK, after he twittered a article on GrahamPhisher.com, which led to this interview, enjoy.

GrahamPhisher: How long has art been part of your life, and what other art forms are you invovled in besides graphic design?

Miami Kaos: I’VE ALWAYS BEEN AN ARTIST, MY WHOLE LIFE, I WENT TO THE HIGH SCHOOL OF ART & DESIGN, COLLEGE @ THE CHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS. I’VE BEEN AN ARTIST WAY BEFORE THERE WAS A MIXTAPE DESIGN INDUSTRY.

GrahamPhisher: What or who are some of your main inspirations for your work?

Miami Kaos: ALEX ROSS, GREG HORN, JACK KIRBY, JUAN DOE. IF YOU NOTICE UNLIKE THE “DESIGNERS” TODAY, MY WORK DOESN’T LOOK LIKE ANYONE WHO INSPIRED ME. MEANWHILE TOONERS TRY TO APE ME BUT WILL NEVER SAY I INSPIRED THEM. BUT ASK THEM TO SHOW YOU WORK BEFORE 2003, WHEN I CAME ON THE SCENE.

GrahamPhisher: what are somethings you do when your not working on any projects?

Miami Kaos: I’M AN ORDAINED DEACON & WORK IN MY CHURCH, OTHER THAN THAT, I SPEND TIME READING AND ALSO IN PRAYER.

GrahamPhisher: What are some future plans for you, and any plans on branching out into any new genres of art?

Miami Kaos: ALWAYS. I HAD A COMIC STRIP “PAST IMPERFECT” THAT RAN IN THE SOURCE FOR 2 YEARS, I WORKED AT DC COMICS IN THE PAST. NOW I’M MOVING INTO ANIMATION & VIDEOS. I’VE LIVED THE LAST 11 YEARS AS A PROFESSIONAL ARTIST, ITS JUST MIXTAPES HAVE PUT ME MORE IN HIP HOP’S COLLECTIVE EYES.

GrahamPhisher: Do you have any advice for all the cover designers out there?

Miami Kaos: STOP BITING OFF EVERYONE ELSE. TEH REASON I’VE ALWAYS STOOD OUT (EVEN PHOTO COVERS) WAS BECAUSE I MADE SURE I HAD MY OWN STYLE. THAT WAY MY WORK ALWAYS STOOD OUT ON A RACK NEXT TO ALL THE OTHER COVERS THAT LOOKED LIKE CLONES OF EACH OTHER.

GrahamPhisher: I just want to add to what MK said, and its true, your not gonna get far unless you have your own unique style, don’t follow trends or copycat other artists, just find some time out of your day where you can just relax and brainstorm some ideas to find your own style… I mean for example, i’ll just chill in my bathroom for like 20-30 minutes with the water running listening to some music just discovering more about what my art should be about and what it should look like. (IDK its a relaxing place for me lol)

You catch Miami Kaos on Twitter at @REALMIAMIKAOS1, or you can check out his myspace which has huge collection of his amazing work inside his photo albums at myspace.com/miamikaos. Also MK is launching his website pretty soon at WWW.MIAMIKAOSART.COM.