Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Gershon.
Hi Michael, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Misha Urain, and my passion for rap music started when I was just a little kid. The first rapper I ever heard was Децл — my older brother introduced me to his music, and that moment sparked something in me. When I was 11, I was adopted and moved to America. That was a major turning point in my life. My adopted mom supported my interest in music by buying me different rap albums and EPs from various artists. That exposure inspired me to explore music on a deeper level.
During high school, by the end of 12th grade, I had launched my own record label. I started rapping, writing lyrics, and making beats. I discovered GarageBand on my computer and taught myself how to produce music. I later attended a few colleges to gain more knowledge about music and the business behind it.
Over time, I invested a lot of money and effort into my music brand. Not everything worked out — I worked with different promotion, marketing, and distribution companies, and many of them didn’t follow through. Some even refused to pay me for my streaming royalties, falsely claiming my streams were fake — even though those plays are still live on Spotify today.
My journey hasn’t been perfect. There have been many challenges, but I’ve learned how to do things independently so I can avoid unnecessary problems and stay in control of my career.
Today, I’m still learning, creating, and growing. I continue to produce music, make art, and share content. My Facebook page is growing well and getting great engagement. I truly enjoy what I do. I’ve built a strong catalog of music, and I’m currently working on a new EP that will be released soon on all major streaming platforms.
I’m an independent artist, building my path step by step — and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. There have been a lot of struggles along the way, both personally and professionally.
One of the first big challenges was adjusting to life in a new country after being adopted at 11 and moving to America. That transition alone came with a lot of emotional and cultural shifts, but music became my outlet — a way to express myself and stay grounded.
As I got deeper into the music industry, I faced even more obstacles. I invested a lot of time, money, and trust into promotion and distribution companies that didn’t always follow through. Some marketing companies promised results and disappeared. Some distribution platforms refused to pay me for real streams, falsely claiming they were fake — even though the numbers are still visible today on streaming services like Spotify.
Building everything independently also meant teaching myself how to produce, market, and release my music without much outside help. There were moments where things didn’t work out, where the money ran thin, and where it felt like I was hitting a wall.
But through all of it, I kept going. I’ve learned that setbacks are part of the process, especially when you’re an independent artist trying to build something real from the ground up. The struggles made me more resilient and taught me to take control of my own path — and that’s exactly what I continue to do every day.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As an artist, I go by the name Misha Urain, and I’m a rapper, songwriter, producer, and independent label owner. I specialize in creating rap and hip-hop music that’s deeply personal, reflective, and driven by real-life experiences. I write, record, and produce my own tracks — often starting with a beat I created from scratch. Over the years, I’ve built a solid catalog of original music that’s available across all major streaming platforms.
What I’m most proud of is doing everything independently. I’ve taught myself how to make beats, record, mix, promote, and distribute my music — all without a major label backing me. That journey has been full of challenges, but it’s made me who I am. I’ve stayed true to my vision and my sound, no matter what.
What sets me apart is my story and my work ethic. I didn’t grow up with access to studios, connections, or music mentors. I came to the U.S. as an adopted kid with a dream, and I’ve turned that dream into something real through persistence and passion. I’m also not afraid to experiment and evolve — I create not just music, but also content and visuals that connect with people.
Right now, I’m working on a new EP that reflects where I am creatively and personally. It’ll be out soon on all streaming platforms, and I’m excited to keep growing and connecting with listeners around the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck has definitely played a role in both good and bad ways throughout my life and career.
On the good side, I feel lucky to have discovered music at a young age — and to have had people in my life, like my older brother who introduced me to rap, and my adopted mom who supported my passion by buying me music to listen to. Moving to America opened up opportunities I might not have had otherwise, and even though the road hasn’t been easy, I’m grateful for where it brought me.
But I’ve also experienced what feels like bad luck — especially in the business side of music. I’ve worked with promotion and distribution companies that took my money and never delivered. I’ve had streams withheld and royalties unpaid because of false accusations, even when the proof of my audience is still online. Situations like that can make you feel like luck is working against you.
That said, I don’t rely on luck. I believe in hard work, consistency, and learning from every experience — good or bad. Luck might open a door, but it’s up to me to walk through it and build something lasting. Everything I’ve achieved has come from showing up, pushing through setbacks, and refusing to quit. So in the end, I’d say luck has been part of the story — but my drive has been the difference.
Pricing:
- Custom Beat Production – Starting at $350 – $800 per beat (exclusive rights available upon request)
- Feature Verse / Hook – Starting at $400 – $10000 per feature (Includes writing, recording, and delivery. Pricing may vary based on usage type: single, album, commercial use.)
- Live Performance Booking – Rates vary depending on location and event size (contact to discuss)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mishaurain.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mishaurainaudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CZpNeanWp/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@mishaurain?si=WJHQdsrCqktsf6Mz
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/vQ4OMUxN39kDmuEY3N
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/misha-urain/1196945809
