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 – up-and-coming singer/songwriter who represents the next wave of pop R&B edged with hip-hop fire.
Singing Sensation
The 16 year-old vocalist has already stirred up noise with his hit “Just A Kiss,” which shows off Mishon’s amazing vocal abilities and – ahem – good looks! The track, co-produced by the Interns and Harvey Mason, was the number-one most-added song at urban radio in early June – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Mishon – whose name is a cool mashup of Michael Shontay – is about to capture even more fans with his exciting debut CD, set to launch this fall.
Talent Show
If you think you’ve seen him around before, you’re right. Mishon is already a TV star – he plays Tay on ABC Family Channel’s “Lincoln Heights” (which started shooting its fourth season this spring). Still, Mishon maintains that singing has always been his first love. In fact, this talented teen has been singing since he was a tiny tot, and his interest in music impressed his parents enough to put him in a local performing group of talented kids doing gigs throughout Southern California.
But it wasn’t until he performed the classic number, “Lean On Me,” on the sad occasion of his grandfather’s funeral that people really started to sit up and take notice. One of these people was Mishon’s cousin – the founder of Dynasty Records who wanted to help his little cousin polish his talent. Mishon began working on tracks at age 10, even completing a couple of independent CD releases.
When Mishon had a chance to sing for Streamline Records executives, Vincent Herbert, who’s created hits for some of our all-time fave celebs, including Destiny’s Child, Lady Gaga, Jo Jo, Toni Braxton, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and many more, was so blown away by his talent that he immediately kick-started plans for the rising star’s major label debut.
Music Maker
Inspired by Michael Jackson, Usher, Jodeci and Boyz II Men, Mishon is quickly developing a style all his own. His new hits include the dance floor single “Excuse Me Mama,” which tells the story of a guy trying to meet that special someone while hanging at the mall. “It’s a refreshing song, like something young and new,” says Mishon. “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 rest of his new album is a mix of ballads and dance floor pumping grooves, and Mishon promises he’s got a few fly dance moves of his own saved for the stage.
Kid-spiration
Ready to kick-start his run at the charts and already shining on the small screen, Mishon thinks it’s important to remind other kids his age 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,” he says. “I know that a lot of teens are kind of rebellious sometimes, but just keep your support behind you … and follow your dreams, don’t ever give up. That’s been my stronghold for the last six years.”
