Mikhail Fearon, at the Norman Manley International Airport preparing to leave for the camp. - Anthony Minott

Mikhail Fearon has already sold 250 CDs in his short career as a artiste/producer but, as far as he is concerned, getting a chance to learn more about the music industry is a priceless experience.

Mikhail who is 17 is one of two persons chosen in the Muzak.com Noise! summer camp competition put on by Solid Agency and THE STAR. Mikhail, along with Janine Coombs, was chosen after he was the top male in the essay and interview sections.

The essay competition ran from June 20 to July 6, and gave two 17-year-olds who were interested in music as a career a chance to spend two weeks at the Cal State University in Los Angeles learning about the ins and outs of the entertainment industry.

The teen who has just graduated from Campion College is prepared to grasp the chance for the experience with both hands. "I was ecstatic when I discovered I had won. To me it is one of the best things that can happen to me because I want to gain experience in the music industry," said Mikhail.

Mikhail who has his own mix tape said that he produced most of the tracks where he raps about various issues. He said he also made the rhythms on his computer and has successfully sold copies to his friends and schoolmates. He added that he chose to rap as opposed to deejaying because there was a need for this type of expression locally. "I can sing and deejay but I decided I wanted to rap because I didn't see a lot of people doing it," he said.

Mikhail said he started piano lessons when he was younger but recognised the value when he went to high school. He adds that although his CDs were done mainly on a computer he still had to know music and so the keyboard was a valued ally.

The teen has plans to become a producer full time and sees the two week camp as an opportunity to learn about the business side of the music. He said he would be pursuing a career in that area and intends to study that field at university.

Continue reading THE STAR for excerpts of both Janine and Mikhail's essay.