Michael Barnett (born January 23, 1971), better known by his stage name Big Mike, is an American rapper from New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. He is the oldest of nine children. He was originally a member of the rap duo Convicts with Houston-based rapper Mr. 3-2. This album would be the first of many releases Mike would put out on Rap-A-Lot Records. Following the release of the eponymous Convicts, Big Mike impressed the heads of Death Row Records and almost signed with that label before he was called by James Prince and asked to replace Willie D who left the Geto Boys. Big Mike became a part of the group on its 1993 album Till Death Do Us Part.When Willie D rejoined the group on its next album, Big Mike left. Mike has released five solo albums thus far: Somethin' Serious in 1994, Still Serious in 1997, Hard to Hit in 1999, Keep It Playa in 2006, and Serious As Can Be in 2009. Still Serious was his highest-charting album, peaking at #16 on the U.S. Billboard 200. Somethin' Serious sold 500,000 copies and is his only Gold-certified album.