Bio
“New York. Concrete Jungle where dreams are made of. There's nothin' you can't do. Now you're in New York. These streets will make you feel Brand New. Big lights will Inspire you. Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York..” - “Empire State Of Mind” (Jay-Z/Alicia Keys)
True words indeed never resonated more for SiFred Mitchell. A Native New Yorker, growing up in New York City (Harlem/Brooklyn/Jamaica,Queens) was an experience like no other. Being influenced by the likes of the incomparable Luther Vandross, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye and El DeBarge, and the early stages of the Hip Hop Culture, it was only a matter of time before SiFred discovered what his calling would be. Having attended NYC's Julia Richman/Talent Unlimited High School (which cultivated successful careers for Alumni Laurence Fishburne, Malik Yoba, Lisa Lisa, Kadeem Hardison, Sheila E., Mos Def, Tamara George (Taj from SWV), and dancing sensation Gene Anthony Ray (Fame), SiFred soon started laying the groundwork for what would be his passion for music. From performing throughout the Tri-State area with the Talent Unlimited High School Touring company, to performing in several Off-Broadway Theater productions like "Mama I Want To Sing", "Sweet Daddy & Amazing Grace", "CeCe, Della & Me" (and others), it was only a matter of time before SiFred took his talents to the next level in the Entertainment Business.
Starting out as a background singer in the music industry, SiFred got his first opportunity to Open up for Def Jams First R&B songstress, Alyson Williams, at NYC's famed Palladium Night Club and soon found himself going on tour with various artist's such as LL Cool J (Around The Way Tour), Queen Latifah (Fly Girl Tour), The Getaway Tour (Bobby Brown/Mary J. Blige/TLC/Shabba Ranks), LaToya and Marlon Jackson (European Tour), Upon returning back to the States from Touring, SiFred soon found himself performing at some of New York City's most notable Open-Mic music Venues & Nightclubs like the famous “Sweetwaters”, “The Village Underground”, “Cafe Wha”, “Groove”, “Blue Note”, “Chaz & Wilson's”, “Blue Angel”, “Le Bar Bat”, in order to gain the confidence to step out from the background and to the forefront.
Wanting to learn more about the Music Business as a whole, SiFred ultimately ended working his way ferom the ground up in the A&R Department at several Major Labels like MCA Records, Geffen Records and others, and was involved in projects by Nicci Gilbert (formerly of the Platinum selling Group Brownstone), Mary J. Blige, Avant, Chante Moore and more.
"I learned a lot from the experience of being at a Major Record Label and was fortunate enough to meet many people in every Department. I've met and learned a lot from seasoned professionals at Universal Music Publishing about songwriting, publishing and royalty collections.
After many years behind the scenes, SiFred was inspired and ultimately decided to create his own situation as an Independent A&R/Consultant where he could contribute whatever knowledge and creativity he possessed to help up and coming and newly formed labels and Artists. "My commitment has always been to bring out the best in every project I am involved in and have everyone involved excel and succeed to the next level. Continuing to educate yourself in this business is very important seeing that it evolves very quickly and things change all the time."
Having spent time in both his hometown of New York City as well as Atlanta, SiFred made his way out to the West Coast and now resides in the city of Los Angeles where he is currently Managing and Developing a few Artists under his KeyNote Entertainment Group Company along with his business Partner William Lockwood II. In addition, SiFred is also writing and arranging songs for placement as well as transitioning into Television & Film projects behind the scenes as well as in front on the screen. "My biggest accomplishment to date was finally being able to write and record a project of my very own after so many years of ups and downs and loss of loved ones. Releasing my Singles "Love U" and “I Can't Believe”, “The Django”, in addition to my long overdue Debut Album “Rooftops, Fire Escapes & Subway Cars”, was such a BLESSING".
“It had been over 20 years in the making because quite honestly, I was too afraid of failure and rejection. I didn't think I was good enough. I had many people who didn't believe in me and that casted a dark cloud of doubt in my mind where I began to second guess myself. But with the encouragement of many of my peers and people I have a great deal of respect for, I thought now would be the perfect time to give it my best shot. In doing so, I wanted to make sure that the songs were right and that they came from an honest place in my heart.”
"Over the years, I've had the opportunity and pleasure to work with some Amazingly Talented individuals, such as Platinum Producers Ron Lawrence (The Notorious BIG, Faith Evans), Kenny "Smoove" Kornegay (Mary J. Blige, Changing Faces, Case, Christopher Williams), Miykal Snoddy (Jamie Foxx, Trey Songz, Diddy Dirty Money), Nate "Phenomenal" Clemons (Ruff Endz, Mary J. Blige, Terry Dexter), Herb "Big Herb" Middleton (Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, SWV, and Ann Nesby). But in addition to the Incredible Veteran Producers Ron Lawrence and Herb Middleton, it was with the Amazing Production Talents of my Business Partner William Lockwood II aka DNALevelC, my other brother in Music, Eric Johnson (EJ's Music), Tim Datailor, J.Dees Music, Karl Browne, Cameron Da DJ, Sean ‘iAmLyriq" Matthews, Dr. DoMusic & Tone Jonez, as well as Co-Written songs with a couple of incredible songwriters, Sean "iAmLyriq" Matthews, Doug “Doug Wonder” Watts, Henry "NaaDwomo" Smith, F7ame, Rufus Blaq, “that I was able to put together the songs that led to the Debut ”Rooftops, Fire Escapes & Subway Cars" and my Forthcoming second Album “Feeling Nostalgic” (A Harlem Love Story) Volume 1, which best represents me as an Artist at this time in my life. I honestly think I managed to accomplish this and sincerely hope everyone can take something away from this album that can help them better understand a situation in their lives, be it Love or Loss".
This is just the Beginning of what's to come from SiFred “KeyNote” Mitchell