| Sy Smith | |
|---|---|
Sy Smith performing at Jazz Cafe in London. (March 2011) |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Sy Olivia Smith |
| Born | February 18, 1978 |
| Origin | New York, NY |
| Genres | R&B, neo-soul, go-go, jazz, funk |
| Occupations | CEO, Singer-songwriter, record producer, music producer, actress, dancer |
| Instruments | voice, keyboard |
| Years active | 1995-present |
| Labels | Psyko! Records/MDI Distribution |
| Associated acts | Mark de Clive-Lowe, Brand New Heavies, Conya Doss, Yahzarah, E Reece, Mark Whitfield |
| Website | SySmith.com |
Sy Olivia Smith (born February 18, 1978) is an American Emmy nominated singer-songwriter. Born in New York, New York, Smith rose to fame in the late 1990s when she signed a recording contract with Hollywood Records. Smith released her first studio album Psykosoul in 2000, which spawned the singles "Gladly" and "Good N Strong". Following the release of her first album, Smith left Hollywood. She often referred to as The Underground Queen of R&B and Soul.
In 2004, Smith had signed another recording contract with Kajmere Records. Later that year, Smith appeared in the independent film, Black Rose. In early 2005, she began her own recording label known as Psyko! Inc. In mid-2005, Smith earned a NAACP Theatre Award nomination for her role in the film, If You Don't Believe: A Love Story. In September 2005, Smith released her second album The Syberspace Social, which spawned the three singles "Fa' Sho", "Aquarius Rising", and "Drop That". In 2006, Smith received a NAACP Theatre Award nomination for her role in the film, Body Language. Later that year, she released a single "Fill in the Blanks". While embarking on her tour in 2007, Sy Smith released her first live DVD Sy Smith Live: Worship At The Temple, recorded live at Temple Bar in Santa Monica, California.
In 2008, Smith released her third studio album, Conflict, with the lead single "Fly Away With Me". The single charted at #38 on the Top 40 Hot Adult R&B Chart. In September 2009, Smith released her second single "Conflict". In early 2009, Smith released the third single "Spies". With album finally creating a buzz, Smith released two other singles "B-Side Love Affair" and "The Art of You". In 2010, Smith released a single "Truth", followed by her best-of album Syberselects: A Collection of Sy Smith Favorites. In January 2011, Sy Smith and Mark de Clive-Lowe recorded a version of Teena Marie's 1984 hit "Lovergirl and Smith went on the "Authencity Tour" with the Foreign Exchange. In March 2011, Smith went on the "Sunstorm Tour" with ZO!.
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Sy Smith began her career leading an all-female Washington, DC go-go band.[1] After graduating from Howard University with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and a minor in music therapy, she moved to Los Angeles, CA. She soon charted territory singing backup for Usher, Eric Benet, Me'Shell NdegeOcello, Ginuwine, Brandy, and spending more than a year on the road with Whitney Houston.[1] Among it all, Smith made appearances in GAP advertisements, as well as being a regular fixture behind Vonda Shepard on the FOX television show Ally McBeal.
Smith moved to L.A. in 1997 and signed with Hollywood Records in 1999. Later that year, she released her first single "Gladly", which charted at #79 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In early 2000, Smith released the second single "Good N Strong". In April 2000, Smith released her first album, Psykosoul. In mid-2000, Smith released the third single "That Ring".
In 2001, Smith was dropped from Hollywood Records. She has since written for Santana, sung backup for Whitney Houston and with Vonda Shepard on "Ally McBeal," and contributed vocals to commercials for The Gap, Procter & Gamble and Nissan. After talking to the proprietors of a coffee shop in Los Angeles' Leimert Park neighborhood, Smith established B!tchcraft in 2001. The monthly showcase ran for nearly two years. The showcase featured three to four female acts, unsigned and signed singers, and comedians. Between releases, Sy served as sometime lead singer for British funk outfit Brand New Heavies on their album We Won't Stop.[2] In 2001, Smith released the lead single "Welcome Back (All My Soulmates)", which later received a Emmy nomination for "Outstanding Music and Lyrics".[3] In 2002, she released her extended play, One Like Me.
In 2004, Smith signed a recording contract with Kajmere Records and began recording her second album. In early 2005, Smith began her own recording company, Psyko! Inc. In early 2005, Smith released the first single "Fa'Sho", which aired on BET's Soul Sessions. In September 2005, Smith released her second album, The Syberspace Social. The album featured contributions from R&B singer Anthony Hamilton[4] and producers such as James Poyser and Victor Duplaix. In late 2005, Smith released the second single "Drop That". In December 2005, Smith released a deluxe edition of her first album entitled, Psykosoul Plus. The compilation album featured three addition songs.
In February 2006, Smith released "Aquarius Rising" as the third single. Sy Smith, along with Sharlotte Gibson and Kenya Hathaway, have been highly visible as featured background singers on American Idol. Smith also appeared on The Article 3, a 2006 EP release from bass guitar impresario Me'Shell NdegeOcello in addition to opening for the artist. In mid-2006, Smith released fourth single "Turnstyles" and another single "Fill in the Blanks", which was featured on the Airpushers' Themes for the Ordinarily Strange. In 2007, Smith released a deluxe edition of her second album, The Syberspace Social. The album featured two additions songs. While embarking on her tour in 2007, Sy Smith released her first live DVD Sy Smith Live: Worship At The Temple, recorded live at Temple Bar in Santa Monica, California.
In mid-2007, Smith released a buzz single "Ain't Nobody's Bizness". In late 2007, Smith released another buzz single "Reach Down In Your Soul", which featured Wes Felton. Smith also released a music video for the song. In April 2008, Smith released her third studio album, Conflict, with "Fly Away With Me" as the lead single. The song "Fly Away With Me" charted at #38 on the Top 40 Hot Adult R&B Chart. In September 2008, Smith and her band Deeznuts performed at Temple Bar's Farewell Show. Smith performed a seven track set-list. She also released the title-track "Conflict" as the second single and the music video premiered at Temple Bar. In late-2008, Smith's album Conflict received a "Album of the Year" nomination from Soultracks.
In February 2009, Smith released the third single "Spies", and the music video aired on Logo. The music video also features the cast of TV-series Noah's Arc. In 2009, she made a guest performance at the Live in Boston show of Chris Botti where she sang the Burt Bacharach classic "The Look of Love". She also features on the DVD release of this concert and is seen in his tour in Europe. Sy Smith also serves as the voice actor of Aisha in the video game Saints Row and Saint's Row 2. As Aisha, she recorded three tracks for the game's soundtrack. Sy Smith's "The Art Of You" appears on Independent Soul Divas 2 on UK label, Lola Waxx. In mid-2009, Smith released the fourth single "B-Side Love Affair" and the music video aired to YouTube. In June 2009, Smith toured with the singers Yahzarah, Conya Doss, and Maya Azucena on the Soulsista Tour. She later appeared on Fox DC to promote her new single "The Art of You". In July 2009, Smith toured with Conya Doss, Yahzarah, and Ra-Re Valverde on the Soul Uprising Tour.
In April 2010, Smith appeared on The Mo'Nique Show to perform her single Fly Away With Me and promote her album Conflict. Smith is planning to release an new project in 2010.[5] In July 2010, Smith went on tour with Mark de Clive-Lowe. On August 5, 2010, she performed at the special event "Summer Concert Series" at "Baldwin Hill Censhaw Plaza" in Los Angeles, California. In mid-August 2010, Smith released a single "Truth" to iTunes. In October 2010, Smith received a Soultrack Readers Choice Award "Song of the Year" nomination for her song "Greatest Weapon of all Time". On October 26, 2010, Smith released her best of album, "SyberSelects: A Collection of Sy Smith Favorites". In 2010, Smith began the recording sessions for her fourth album.
In December 2010, Smith confirmed in an interview, that she will be doing a jazz album. Smith stated, "I’m kind of closing the book on that part of me for a second, so I can embrace other things that I really want to do. I’m working on a jazz record that’s more straight-ahead kind of jazz. I’m working to finish this synthy '80s throwback dance record...".[6]
In January 2011, Sy Smith and Mark de Clive-Lowe recorded a version of Teena Marie's 1984 hit "Lovergirl and went on the "Authencity Tour" with the Foreign Exchange. In March 2011, Smith went on the "Sunstorm Tour" with ZO!.
In December 2011, Smith announced her fourth album "The Fast and the Curious" to be released in February 14, 2012.[7][8]
Sy Smith is a high-pitched soprano with a whistle register as demonstrated in her songs "Fly Away With Me", "Star", and "Deep Sleep". Smith's whistle tone has closely been compared to Minnie Riperton's whistle tone who has displayed this in a live version of Minnie Riperton's song "Baby, This Love I Have". While Smith has been known for her high-pitched vocals, she can also sing in an alto range.
Smith has been influenced by singers such as Minnie Riperton, Diana Ross, and James Brown.[9] Although Sy Smith has done many R&B influenced songs, her primary musical style is heavily influenced by go-go and funk music. Smith has also influenced musical artists such as E Reece, N'Dambi, and other well-known singers.
Smith has widely been known to wear big glasses or shades during her performances. She has also been known to wear her hair in an afro style usually accompanied by flower. Aside from her stage presence, Smith prefers mostly to sing close to microphone on the stand.
In 2001, Smith made a cameo appearance in All About You as the restaurant singer. In 2004, Smith received a minor role in The Seat Filler as Fitz (VJ). Later that year, Smith starred as Rose in the independent film Black Rose. In 2005, she also appeared in the film If You Don't Believe: A Love Story. In 2006, she appeared in Body Language as the supporting role "Holt". Smith was nominated in 2005 and 2006 for a NAACP Theatre Award as Best Supporting Female-Local for her role in If You Don't Believe: A Love Story and Body Language.
On July 11, 2010, Sy Smith married to actor and music video director Shawn Carter Peterson. The wedding began at 11:35 A.M. and ended with the reception, which began at 9:00 P.M.[10] Smith is also good friends with Yahzarah, N'dambi, Raheem DeVaughn, Conya Doss, Ledisi, and E Reece. She is first cousins with Mark Whitfield.
| Film/Theatre/TV | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1997 | Ally McBeal | Singer | Supporting role |
| 2001 | All About You | Toomie's singer | Supporting role |
| 2002 | Lyric Cafe | Herself | Musical director |
| 2004 | The Seat Filler | Fitz (VJ) | Supporting role |
| 2004 | Black Rose | Rose | Lead role |
| 2005 | If You Don't Believe: A Love Story | Ellie Johnson | Supporting role |
| 2006 | True Grits | Pregnant Woman | Supporting role |
| 2006 | Body Language | Holt | Supporting role |
| 2006 | Saints Row | Aisha | Supporting role |
| 2008 | Saints Row 2 | Aisha | Supporting role |
| 2011 | How I Met Your Mother | Singer | "Tick, Tick, Tick" cameo |
These are the awards won by American R&B singer Sy Smith.
| Year | Category | Nominated Work | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primetime Emmy Awards | |||||
| 2001 | Outstanding Music and Lyrics | "Welcome Back" | Nominated | ||
| NAACP Theatre Awards | |||||
| 2005 | Best Supporting Female-Local | "If You Don't Believe: A Love Story" | Nominated | ||
| 2006 | Best Supporting Female-Local | "Body Language" | Nominated | ||
| Soultracks | |||||
| 2008 | Album of the Year | "Conflict" | Nominated | ||
| 2010 | Song of the Year | "Greatest Weapon of All Time" | Nominated | ||
| LA Weekly Music Awards | |||||
| 2009 | Best Contemporary Blues/R&B Artist | Nominated | |||