New Video from Mishon | Just A Kiss
Check out the official brand new video for Mishon’s hit single “Just a Kiss“!
Directed by Chris LeDoux and Jeremy Alter
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.”
Mishon
The Yearbook – Summer 09
Streamline/Interscope
www.mishon.net | www.myspace.com/mishon
Follow Mishon on Twitter! www.twitter.com/mishonratliff93
ThinkTank