Sirah (rapper)

Sara Elizabeth Mitchell[1] (born July 28, 1988), better known by her stage name Sirah /ˈsaɪrə/[6] is an American hip hop recording artist based in Los Angeles.[7] She collaborated with Skrillex, on "WEEKENDS!!!",[8] "Kyoto"[9] and the hit single "Bangarang".[9]

Sirah
Birth nameSara Elizabeth Mitchell[1]
Also known as
  • Sirah One
  • Sirah Oner
Born (1988-07-28) July 28, 1988
Long Island, New York City
OriginNew York State
GenresHip hop, pop,[2] moombahton[3]
Occupation(s)Rapper, Singer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2007–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websitewww.sirahmusic.com

Background

Mitchell was born on Long Island,[10] to a bluesman and an artist.[11] Her youth included poverty, homelessness and alcoholism.[12] She was repeatedly caught creating graffiti; she stopped after being arrested for it.[3] She moved to Washington with her father at age six, but after he died of an overdose,[11] she ended up returning to New York. There, she was arrested several times and eventually absconded to Los Angeles rather than be placed in foster care at age fifteen.[11] For a while, she considered Union Station her home before purchasing a Jeep Cherokee and living in it[11] in a garage in East Los Angeles;[3] in an interview, she stated that she lived out of her car and felt safe in doing so.[3]

Musical career

Mitchell moved from singing to rapping after her mother gave a negative review of her voice,[6] and mentioned that the turning point for her was when she heard Big Pun's Capital Punishment.[6]

After moving to Los Angeles, she booked her own tours in such countries as Germany and Romania, sleeping on floors and collecting money from fans.[13] Her first EP, Clean Windows Dirty Floors, was produced by DJ Hoppa.[11] Her first LP, Smile You Have Teeth, was never released. Prior to its intended release, Mitchell's manager sent her a contract demanding $30,000 from the LP's proceeds. She subsequently decided to abandon the album and start anew.[11]

Mitchell met Skrillex after she was contacted by him on MySpace, commending her work and requesting that they work together.[14] The first track, WEEKENDS!!! was the result of Skrillex asking her to rap into his laptop the lyrics she was working on.[15] Their second collaboration, "Bangarang", happened after he called her while he was on tour and asked her to record 16 bars[15] about the Lost Boys.[14] She forgot to close the window before recording it,[14] and thus birds are audible in the recording.[15] Mitchell has also released a mixtape, C.U.L.T.: Too Young to Die.[14] After that she released another EP, Inhale.[16]

Achievements

At the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, Mitchell and Skrillex won the award for Best Dance Recording for their collaboration Bangarang. It is Mitchell's first Grammy win.

Influences

Mitchell is influenced by Joni Mitchell, Big Pun, WHY?, Qwel, Black Thought, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Jewel, and Cat Stevens.[2]

Discography

Albums
Title Details
Broken Complex (with Broken Complex)
  • Released: October 26, 2010
  • Label: Broken Complex
  • Formats: Digital download, CD

Mixtapes
Title Details Tracks
C.U.L.T.
  1. "Up & Down"
  2. "My City"
  3. "Motel Bible"
  4. "Blew Your Mind"
  5. "Game On" (featuring JT)
  6. "Like Me Now"
  7. "Black Eyes"
  8. "C.U.L.T."
  9. "Love You Down"
C.U.L.T.: Too Young to Die
  • Released: September 24, 2012
  • Label: Pulse Recordings/Atlantic Records
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
  1. "Up & Down"
  2. "My City"
  3. "Motel Bible"
  4. "Blew Your Mind"
  5. "Like Me Now"
  6. "Made It"
  7. "When I'm Gone"

EPs
YearAlbumLabel
2007Clean Windows Dirty Floors (with DJ Hoppa)Broken Complex
2011Trick'dUnsigned
2013InhalePulse Recordings / Atlantic Records

Singles
YearSongLabel
2011"God's Grace (with DJ Hoppa)"Broken Complex
2017"Deadbeat (Feat.Skrillex)"Atlantic Records
2017"Say My Name"Orange Coyote Records
2018"Shots"Lodge Records
2018"Sinner"Lodge Records
2019"Room"Money Over Beaches

Other appearances
YearSongAlbumLabel
2010"WEEKENDS!!!" (Skrillex featuring Sirah)My Name Is SkrillexBig Beat
2011"Kyoto" (Skrillex featuring Sirah)BangarangOWSLA / Big Beat Records
2011"Bangarang" (Skrillex featuring Sirah)OWSLA / Big Beat Records
2012"Survival" (Alvin Risk featuring Sirah)InfinityMinistry of Sound
2013"Speakerbox" (The Juggernaut featuring Sirah)[17]TBATBA
2014"Lilies" (Lupe Fiasco featuring Sirah)Lost in the AtlanticTBA
2015"Visionary" (Rain Man featuring Sirah)TBABuygore Records
2015"Waitin for You" (Demi Lovato featuring Sirah)ConfidentIsland, Safehouse and Hollywood Records
2015"Memories" (KSHMR & Bassjackers featuring Sirah)Single ReleaseSpinnin' Records
2015"Hotel Confidential" (Max Schneider featuring Sirah)Ms. AnonymousDCD2 Records
2016"Mug Shot" (Max Schneider featuring Sirah)Hell's Kitchen AngelDCD2 Records
2016"Stop Me" (Wiwek featuring Sirah)The Free & Rebellious – EPOWSLA
2017"Daddy" (Born Dirty featuring Sirah)HOWSLA – CompilationOWSLA
2017"Deadbeat" (Sirah featuring Skrillex)DeadbeatOWSLA / Big Beat Records
2018"Text Me Back" (TQX featuring KOOL a.D & Sirah)Text Me BackBarney McAll
2018"Bonkers" (Snails & Sirah)SLIMEAGEDDONSLUGZ MUSIC

References
  1. Skrillex (December 23, 2011). Bangarang (inlay). OWSLA.
  2. "Sirah". Facebook. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  3. Rebecca Haithcoat (September 14, 2011). "Sirah: Your New Favorite Female Rapper Indie Pop Princess". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on August 2, 2018.
  4. "SXSW 2013: A surprise in Azari & III, a potential local star in Sirah and a major misstep by Icona Pop". Los Angeles Times.
  5. "Mighty Mike". Pulse Recording. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  6. "HC Exclusive: Interview with Female Rapper, Sirah". Her Campus.
  7. "Exclusive Q&A with Female Rapper Sirah on Lana's Land's Blog". buzznet.com.
  8. "INTERVIEW: Sirah Talks 'Cult'; Explains How She Recorded Vocals for Skrillex's 'Bangarang'". ralphieaversa.com.
  9. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  10. Article on Sirah, from Thesource.com
  11. "Downtown Music Services". Downtown Music Services. n.d. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  12. Ali, Reyan (n.d.). "Salt Lake City Music – Music Articles: Sirah". Cityweekly.net. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  13. "Sira One & DJ Hoppa Present: Clean Windows Dirty Floors – Sirah One, Sirah & DJ Hoppa | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. November 27, 2007. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  14. "Sirah: Rap, EDM and "Fun Dip" | Life+Times". Lifeandtimes.com. n.d. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  15. "INTERVIEW: Sirah Talks 'Cult'; Explains How She Recorded Vocals for Skrillex's 'Bangarang'". ralphieaversa.com. April 12, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  16. "Sirah's 'Inhale' EP: Exclusive Premiere". Billboard. n.d. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  17. "Resurrection Mix by THE_JUGGERNAUT on SoundCloud". SoundCloud. April 8, 2013.
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