“I need some weed man. Somebody call the weedman. I’m tryna get high,” does that sound familiar? Well if you have heard Young Jeezy’s latest cd TM103: Hustlerz Ambition then you know that’s the hook to the weed anthem “Higher Learning”. I bet you don’t know who that is singing the hook or maybe you do but if you don’t that’s the purpose of this interview. House of Aura is always introducing new and exciting artist to our readers and this is no different but with a twist because you know OF him even if you DON’T know him. Well let me not keep you in the dark, that soulful voice singing words any true weed connoisseur has said once in their life is Mitchelle’l.
Mitchelle’l is a RnB artist straight from the bottom of the map, Houston, Texas to be exact. He did just like what so many other artist do and simply uploaded some of his music onto the internet. Either it was fate or destiny or a simple blessing, Mitchelle’l was contacted by the Grand Hustle general manager and now you will hear him on some of your future favorite tracks.
Young Jeezy is one of my favorite rappers so I have the TM103 album and I just love “Higher Learning” because I can so relate and with Twitter being the prime network for finding and communicating with people, famous or not I did some research. I found out who Mitchelle’l was and sent him a tweet complimenting him on his work. Not like so many other celebs he responded and from there I ended up here with an exclusive interview.
Mitchelle’l is an up and coming star on the rise. If I were you I would get hip to him now because he will have a career worth following. With Grand Hustle on his back he will have a bright and prosperous future. RnB hasn’t been the same in the past decade and hopefully Mitchelle’l alongside other new talent such as Frank Ocean, will be able to turn things around. Let me not keep you in suspense and get to this interview. *drum roll please* now introducing Grand Hustle’s very own, Mitchelle’l.

1) Who inspired your musical style? And how?

Mitchelle’l: My momma indirectly inspired me by raising me on quality music.. I was inspired by the likes of Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Anita Baker, Sade, Bob Marley etc.. As I grew older, I gravitated towards artists like R. Kelly, Jodeci, 2pac Shakur, and D’angelo.. All of the aforementioned artist have profoundly impacted my music in one way or another..

2) You’re a songwriter, so how do you come up with the things your write about?

Mitchelle’l: When I sit down to write a song, first comes the music.. After the music, comes the vocal melodies.. After the vocal melodies, the concept and lyrics follow.. All these things must mesh cohesively..
But the concept & lyrics come from life in general.. They come from the things that I go through, the things that my peers go through, and the things that our society as a whole are going through..

3) How were you introduced to Grand Hustle?

Mitchelle’l: I’m originally from Houston, Tx. I had my music uploaded on to the internet, just like the rest of the world.. But one day Hannah Kang, the general manager of Grand Hustle, discovered my music and flew me out to Atlanta.. The rest is history..

4) Are you musically inclined? Besides singing and writing do you have any other musical talents?

Mitchelle’l: I’m currently learning how to play the guitar.. But I’m good at coming up w/ melodies.. So I can always relay the melody to one of my producers and have them play it..

5) What do you do to get into your writing zone?

Mitchelle’l: All I need to get in my writing zone is the right music; a pen & paper; and a bag of Cali’s finest! Works everytime.. Oh, and I like coffee too.. Why? I dunno.. Maybe it’s the caffeine..

6) What artist have you worked with? And who was your most enjoyable experience with?

Mitchelle’l: I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked w/ a few artists along the way.. Artists such as T.I.; Young Jeezy; Nelly; Wale; and Lloyd to name a few.. But I think I’d be short-changing the others if I were to highlight just one.. It’s all been a blessing..

7) The first time I heard you was on Jeezy’s #TM103 album on the song “Higher Learning”, how did that come about?

Mitchelle’l: I was in the studio w/ producer Lil C when he played me the music.. I thought it was incredible and immediately began working on a hook for it.. Some time elapsed, and I still had nothing that I felt was worthy enough to accompany such a great track.. But as I stated earlier, there are a few things that I require in my session and one of them was missing.. In a studio of maybe four people, I turned the music down and said, “I need some weed man! Somebody call the weedman! I’m tryin’ to get high!” And from my moment of frustration, bore a beautiful ode to the homie that risks his freedom for us.. The Weedman. It was beautiful, humorous, and ironic all at the same time.. W/ the right people on it, I knew it could be a classic..
A couple of months later, I went to a Young Jeezy session w/ Lil C.. Lil C was already responsible for a classic Jeezy record entitled, “My Hood”. A few beats in to the session he pulled out what was then called, “The Weedman”. Jeezy emphatically yelled out, “Thats it nigga! Play that shit again!” You could look at him and see that he was already putting the flow together in his head..
We came back the next day, and he had his verse knocked out.. Hearing Jeezy’s vocals on my hook was part of a dream that had come to life.. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, he asked “Who else you think I should get on it?” Before I could say anything, Dj Stickabush blurts out, “man you gotta get Devin The Dude”!! Jeezy’s eyes lit up and he responded w/ a “Yeeeeaaahh”.. Just like the adlib. I promise.
Me being from Houston, I’ve known Devin for years.. I quickly got him on the phone and gave it Young so they could chop it up.. Devin recorded his verse in Houston and emailed it back to us.. It was vintage Devin The Dude.. This song was really shaping up to be the classic I hoped for.. I never really concern myself w/ “Making hits..” Just “Making classics..”
A couple of weeks later, Jeezy stopped by Tip’s session.. When he saw me he said, “Aye homie.. We got a classic on our hands now.. I got Uncle Snoop on it..” He then congratulated me for officially making it on to the TM 103 album.. I actually never even heard Snoops verse until the song came out, which was another crazy moment for me..

8) What’s your motivation?

Mitchelle’l: My motivation is to live the kind of life I want to live.. And to be able to fund that life by doing what it is that I love to do…..music.

9) Do you incorporate your personal life and experiences into your lyrics?

Mitchelle’l: Yes, a lot of times I do incorporate my personal experiences in to my lyrics.. The more personal it is, the better.. The more of myself I can put in to it, the better.. The more “Me” it is, the better..

10) What other artist would you like to work with in the future and why?

Mitchelle’l: The artists that I would like to work w/ most are dead.. But there are some that are alive too.. Missy Elliott, Raphael Saadiq, Sade, Anita Baker, and Alicia Keys are all artists that I would leap at the opportunity to work w/.. The reason being is that they all have a good sense of what is “classic”, and are yet still innovating..

11) What advice would you give aspiring songwriters and singers that are trying to break through into the industry?

Mitchelle’l: Get yourself a quality product, and Network! Network! Network!
       Also, I was told that the best way to get noticed by a label is to carry on as if they didn’t exist.. This basically means that YOU should be doing all of the things that u expect from a label..

12) What are your thoughts about today’s RnB?

Mitchelle’l: W/ the profits of music sales not being what they once were, I think a lot of artists have began to fuse a lot of pop in to the equation in hopes of reaching a larger audience and thus reaping bigger profits.. I have no problem w/ that.. But when EVERYBODY does it, it waters down the soul that was once in RnB.. Another problem I have, is EVERYBODY using the same writers and producers.. This only leads to a lack of originality, and a lack of options for the consumer.. But it seems that there are a few on the rise now.. Artists such as Miguel, Frank Ocean, and The Weekend.. Artists that present the consumer w/ an alternative.. Something different..

13) What type of image are you trying to convey to your audience?

Mitchelle’l: See.. Thats where things get tricky.. I never really think too much about image.. I believe that a lot of times, the image can actually get in the way of the music.. But I do understand that this commodity must be marketed to the masses, and w/ that comes image.. But all I know how to give you is myself.. A cool, laid back, weed-smokin’, soul stirring, free thinking, down to earth and humble man….that just happens to know how to write and sing..

14) Are you working on new projects that you can reveal at this time?

Mitchelle’l: I’m really focused on my own project right now.. My single, “Irene” featuring Wale, is doing well right now and the video will be out soon.. In the meantime, I’m working on completing my EP and doing shows..

15) Random: What are your views on homosexual marriages?

Mitchelle’l: I’ve always been a real “Mind my business” kind of person.. And I believe that we as human beings can all coexist together in harmony if we refrain from inflicting our beliefs and lifestyles upon each other.. So if two homosexual people want to get married, I feel like it has no bearing on my life nor my views on the institution of marriage.. Why should I expend my time and energy trying to fight against it?

16) I’ve listened to your new single “Irene” featuring Wale. So explain the message of the song? What you’re talking about? The feeling the song is suppose to inspire? Most importantly why the name “Irene”?

Mitchelle’l: Fresh off the heals of the “Higher Learning” record w/ Jeezy, my manager thought it’d be a good idea to make a weed song of my own.. So I used the “Me, Myself, and Irene” concept that I had been playing around w/ in my head for some time..
The song is supposed to inspire a feeling of euphoria w/out even having to smoke.. However, should u decide to take a toke, it provides you w/ the perfect soundtrack..
“Irene” is a particular stain of weed that is prevalent in Georgia.. It is very strong.. I decided to refer to “Irene” in this song as though it was an actual woman.. This literary technique is known as personification..

18) Out of anybody that could have been featured on the song with you, why was Wale the chosen one?

Mitchelle’l: I chose Wale to be featured on it because I knew he would supply it w/ the smooth poetic flow that it needed.. And plus, I already knew that he was a smoker, and he would get where I was trying to go w/ this song..

19) “Irene” is so soothing, has a neo soul aura, so when your album is released will your entire album have the same feel to it? Why or why not?

Mitchelle’l: There is definitely more where that came from.. That is my naturally sound.. But I also like to take that sound and see what else I can do w/ it.. And you will hear that..

20) So in the future what can we expect from you as an artist?

Mitchelle’l: In the future, you can expect more classic material from me.. You can expect another alternative to what is already out there.. And of course, you can expect to hear me on the hooks of your favorite rappers as well..

21) *Random* If you were a super hero, what would your name be and what would your super powers be?

Mitchelle’l: If I was a super-hero, my name would still be Mitchelle’l.. But I would have the power to extract the hate out of the hearts of men..

Now that you have been introduced to the brighter future of RnB, let’s start to support real music. Not taking anything from the RnB artist that have already made a name for themselves but music needs a change and Mitchelle’l is apart of that change. Check out his new single featuring Wale “Irene” available on iTunes and keep a close eye on some of your favorite artist because Mitchelle’l's name may be featured alongside of it. Follow him on twitter  @Mitchelle’l and check out any updates or just network with him, cool dude. House of Aura has done it again, we are helping open your eyes to the future of music, so until next time, WE ARE HIP HOP! 

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