The formula for creating "The Book of Life" was quite simple. Come up with melodies in your head and write about all things personal such as love, life, relationships, nightlife, spiritual awareness and tragedies of the world. ..I..m concerned with topics
Missippi’s Bio:
When it comes to soulful storyteller Missippi, one doesn’t have to utilize a superfluous vocabulary to hype his poignant voice or depend upon studio wizardry to enhance the rhythm & blues-meets-pop sound he was innately blessed with. The magic of his musical gift lies deep within, much like the rich complexity of his Southern heritage. Although he deliberately misspells the moniker of his birth state, Missippi’s talent is anything but haphazard. His unique sound is like a cosmic force of soaring gospel melodies melded with electric funk rhythms that comes as naturally as breathing. On The Book of Life, his debut album, each composition speaks volumes about his multifaceted artistry and history.
Much like legendary soul greats Sam Cooke, James Brown and Stevie Wonder, Missippi was enrolled in the school of music known as “church” at an impressionable age, subsequently earning a name for himself throughout the community as a singing sensation. “My grandfather was a preacher and since my mom directed two choirs, I was at church every Sunday and sometimes during the week. When I was five, I used to sing in front of the congregation, which was fun. People started asking me to sing at weddings, funerals, and birthday and anniversary parties. Basically, I sang and performed throughout all my years in school.”
As a high school student, Missippi’s most memorable experience came when he toured for two years with the renowned gospel singing group, the Mississippi Mass Choir, developing a profound maturity and respect for being an authentic artist. “Gospel is what really influenced me most. The hardships many African-Americans have suffered in the South shaped a lot of great people who’ve turned their internal pains into words that make you want to scream and shout. That’s what gospel music is all about: celebration, praise and victory.”
Growing up in the heart of the South, Missippi faced his share of prejudices with pride. “My mom didn’t allow us to use foul language, even when other people used it to degrade us. She would tell us that no matter how badly someone treated us, we shouldn’t do the same to them. She taught us to remain humble and to think before we acted, which is how I’ve been able to steer clear of trouble.” Part of that escape came when the college-bound singer made the leap to Texas where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Texas Southern University. While earning an education, Missippi successfully competed in talent shows and began experimenting with various genres of music, including classical, folk and country, the latter of which he was already familiar with.
“My mother loved Kenny Rogers. She’d put his tape in the 8-track and would clean and cook to it. If it wasn’t for him back in the day, we probably wouldn’t have made it through.” After graduation, the crooner migrated further west, spending time in Seattle, Washington before making Oakland, California his home. The left coast would prove to be the corner of the earth where Missippi would set his life story to music. However, the remnants of his southern roots remained. “Music is a joy to my heart and there weren’t too many opportunities in Mississippi, which is one of the reasons why I left. I’ve endured a lot over the years, having to chop cotton because those were the only jobs you could get growing up. Times were really rough on the whole family. The strength of survival comes from following your ancestors. To be able to go into the studio and express myself musically has been therapeutic and spiritual. I’m glad I grew up in Mississippi; it helped my music a lot.”
The formula for creating The Book of Life was quite simple: create melodies in your head and write about all things personal, such as love, life, relationships, nightlife, spiritual awareness and tragedies of the world. “I’m concerned with topics like the negative impact drugs have had on this country, mending broken hearts and preserving the beauty of the earth.” Standout songs on the sixteen-track CD produced or co-produced by Jae Knox (except for “House Car Diamond,” which was produced by John Silver) include the punchy-rhythmic club jams, “Shake It,” featuring notorious Vallejo, California rap phenomenon E-40, and “This One,” an energetic R&B cut that guest stars legendary funk hitmaker Rick James, who served as somewhat of a mentor to Missippi. Missippi shines on the haunting contemporary gospel song, “Heaven,” an ode to his religious roots, on which he passionately sings and masterfully rhymes about the end of earthly life over a bass-induced beat.
“Rick (James) told me to make sure that when you leave, leave something behind of worth. I want to make music that says something,” explained Missippi. “On this album, I tried to portray the stages of evolution that people go through on their path from hardship and suffering to triumph and understanding.”
Critics have begun praising The Book of Life. Urban Network wrote “Here’s a newcomer to watch…It will be interesting to see how well he straddles life’s fence upon release of this impressive debut.” Black Radio Exclusive gave the album four stars and said “R&B is coming back, thank God! And that’s bringing us a fresh crop of truly soulful singers. Enter Missippi…Watch for this fresh album later this year.” Upscale wrote “…southern-bred Missippi tries it all and succeeds. His debut album is an intriguing one…Missippi’s dirty south tales are worthy of attention.” Features have already appeared in Smooth, Rolling Out Urban Style and Music Connection.
From Nat King Cole, Fats Domino, Sam Cooke, Curtis Mayfield, James Cleveland, Mahalia Jackson and Muddy Waters to Lionel Ritchie, Michael Jackson, New Edition, Johnny Gill, Van Halen and Kiss, Missippi salutes his influences and credits them for molding his musical career. “Each one of those artists has a certain characteristic that relates directly to me. They helped me grow tremendously from a little boy into the man I am now.” Having already opened for such artists as Musiq, Raphael Saadiq, Dwele, Jon B. and Dwayne Wiggins, Missippi is anxious to schedule concert dates to tell his tales directly to the people.
Maintaining control of how his music is presented and released is important to Missippi so he formed Down in the Boonies Entertainment, LLC with manager Travis Hill. The label, distributed nationally by Universal Music & Video Distribution, will also sign and develop new talent. “To me, it’s important that we put positive energy into the world. There’s far too much negativity going on out there. Our label will seek to introduce music and artists who are uplifting and inspiring.”
With a little bit of pop, a little bit of R&B, a little bit of gospel and a whole lot of soul, The Book of Life, embodies impressive ballads, relative lyrics and gritty arrangements that are certain to add exciting new chapters to Missippi’s book of life.
For booking:contact Bruc Knight At 313-207-5786 or Myself At 510-750-9153.
contact: Tyrone Gibson of Down In The Boonies Entertainment, LLC at (510)750-9153.
Email:sip@dowintheboonies.com
The new album is AMAZING......Hands down best R&B CD in years....I've been waitin for a solo since the "Club Hoppin" and "Murder Show" Days....Bout time u get some shine. Keep it up homie.
