Missippi

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

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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 Bungalo Records and 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.

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5-05

Publicity: Rick Scott/Great Scott P.R.oductions 310.398.0260 greatscottpr@pacificnet.net

Business Manager: Travis Hill 510.367.5411 www.missippi.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Rick Scott 310.398.0260

May 5, 2005 email: greatscottpr@pacificnet.net

Missippi’s The Book of Life to arrive in record stores on July 19

Diverse debut album from the urban storyteller garnering strong reviews,

features one of the last recordings by funk legend Rick James

Down in the Boonies Entertainment, LLC will team with Bungalo Records and Universal Music & Video Distribution on July 19^th to release the debut album from singer-songwriter Missippi entitled The Book of Life, a diverse collection of urban stories chronicled through an ambitious blend of R&B, pop, gospel, hip hop, blues, dance, rock and country songs co-penned by the artist and produced or co-produced by Jae Knox (except for “House Car Diamond,” which was produced by John Silver). The soulful crooner’s first single will be the super freaky “This One,” a duet with the late funk legend Rick James, who co-wrote the lyrics to the club banger with Missippi. Jay Silverman is slated to direct the video clip, which will include footage of Missippi in the recording studio with James.

Although The Book of Life is his debut solo disc, Missippi, who originally hails from the heart of the South from where he took his name (he spells it how Mississippians pronounce it), has been part of the Bay Area music scene for years, where he had the opportunity to write and sing hooks on records by many of the area’s most famous rappers. Some of those rappers make appearances on the collection, including Richie Rich, C-Bo and E-40, the latter of whom is featured on the booty shakin’ track, “Shake It,” which has been receiving early attention from radio DJs. Perhaps the most special guest appearance was made by James, who served as somewhat of a mentor to Missippi.

“Rick told me to make sure that when you leave, leave something behind of worth. I want to make music that says something,” says Missippi, who has a degree in music from Texas Southern University, but claims his real education came from singing gospel in church and chopping cotton. “Life is full of trials and tribulations. Gospel is all about celebration, praise and victory. 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 are 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.

The Sacramento, California-based Down in the Boonies Entertainment, LLC, formed by Missippi and manager Travis Hill, is distributed nationally by Bungalo Records and Universal Music & Video Distribution. Retail marketing and promotions are lead by Marshall Tubbs. 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.

Missippi’s The Book of Life album contains the following songs:

“Life” “Lonely”

“Ghetto” “Stray Child”

“Strike 3” “Shake It” featuring E-40

“My Story” “This One” featuring Rick James

“Heaven” “The Book of Life” featuring J. Spencer

“War” “House, Car, Diamond” featuring C-Bo

“Baby” “Strike 3” featuring Richie Rich

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