When a young star breaks onto the scene, demonstrating serious talent on multiple levels, all we can do is stand back in awe. Get ready for Mishon (MY-shawn), a young singer and fledgling songwriter who represents the next wave of pop R&B edged with hip-hop fire.
The 16 year-old vocalist has already stirred up noise with “Just A Kiss,” which shows off the Los Angeles native’s soaring vocal dexterity and considerable teen charm. The track, co-produced by the Interns and Harvey Mason was the number one most added song at urban radio (6/2/09). That is just the tip of the iceberg, as Mishon is poised to capture even more fans with his exciting debut CD, due this Fall on producer/songwriter Vincent Herbert’s new Streamline Records, a joint venture with Interscope Records.
The multi-talented teen is already a TV star thanks to his role as spunky kid brother Tay on the ABC Family Channel drama “Lincoln Heights,” which began shooting its fourth season this spring. Though Mishon has developed his own fan base thanks to his acting chops, he says that singing has always been his first love.
Singing since he was a small child, his interest in music impressed his parents enough to enroll him in a local performing group of talented children that performed gigs throughout Southern California. But it wasn’t until he handpicked the song “Lean On Me” to perform—unexpectedly—at the funeral of his great grandfather at age 9 that folks around him really took notice of the emotion he was able to wring from the song. “They asked if anybody had anything to say, and I stepped up to the microphone and started singing,” Mishon explains. “And that’s really what broke me out of my shell because I used to be a very shy child.”
One person who took notice was his cousin, Demetreus “Doe Mac” Henderson, who had started Dynasty Records and wanted to help his young relative polish his talent. Mishon began working on tracks with his cousin at age ten, even completing a couple of independent CD releases. In the meantime, Mishon got interested in acting. After rounds of auditions at age 12, the preteen took some time off but went back to it at age 14. One of his first auditions was for the “Lincoln Heights” pilot, which was later picked up.
But music never stopped for Mishon, who continued to hone his performing craft and record more songs for his eventual solo album. When Dynasty got a distribution deal with Streamline Records, also the home to Lady Gaga, Mishon went to the label’s Santa Monica offices to sing live for all the executives. Vincent Herbert, the mastermind who’s created hits for the likes of Destiny’s Child, Lady Gaga, Jo Jo, Toni Braxton, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and many more, was so blown away by the young star that he introduced him to Jimmy Iovine, president and CEO of Interscope Geffen A&M Records; plans for his major label debut went underway immediately.
Inspired by Michael Jackson, Usher, Jodeci, and Boyz II Men, Mishon is rapidly developing a style all his own. He runs through the yearning lyrics of the dance floor single “Excuse Me Mama” with smooth assurance, sharing a tale of a guy trying to meet that special someone while hanging at the mall. “It’s a refreshing song, like something young and new,” enthuses the singer. “It’s about seeing a girl but you don’t know what to say to her, so I gotta step up to her and express how I feel. I could definitely relate to the song.” The album is a mix of ballads and dance floor pumping grooves but Mishon promises that like his performing idols, he’s got a few fly dance moves of his own saved for the stage.
While Mishon is ready to kick-start his run at the charts and already shines on the small screen, he remains humble and reminds other teens to keep their priorities straight. “Something I would like to tell teens is that if they’re a musician--or whatever they may do-- they should remember that their parents always support them, so they shouldn’t be afraid to talk to their parents,” says Mishon, whose name is a mashup of the first names of parents Michael and Shontay. “I know that a lot of teens are kind of rebellious sometimes, but just keep your support behind you and keep God number one and follow your dreams, don’t ever give up. That’s been my stronghold for the last six years.”
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