In addition to his music career, Mike Clay took on triathlon, completing his first race in Montreal in 2023. He continues to grow his solo project under the name Michael Samba, exploring tropical sounds and themes inspired by nature and travel.
NXTG Squad
Mike
Clay
Singer-songwrite
Biography
Mike Clay is a singer-songwriter and producer from Montreal. He is the frontman of the group Clay and Friends, known for its musical style blending funk, soul, hip-hop, and Latin influences. Alongside his performances, Mike collaborates with various Quebec and international artists, contributing to songwriting for names such as Marie-Mai, Koriass, Geoffroy, Zach Zoya, and Ariane Moffatt.
Key Career Highlights
– 2014: Founded Clay and Friends, with whom he has performed over 1,850 shows across Canada and Europe.
– 2020–2021: Winner of the Radio-Canada Song Prize and selected for the Printemps de Bourges. Nominated for the Félix-Leclerc Prize and Show of the Year at the ADISQ Awards.
– 2021: The song “Going up the Coast” by Clay and Friends is certified gold.
– 2025: Launch of his first solo album, Michael Samba, scheduled for release on May 23.