Sirah (rapper)

Sara Elizabeth Mitchell^[1] (born July 28, 1988), better known by her stage name Sirah /ˈsaɪrə/^[2] is a Grammy-winning rapper^[7] and singer based in Los Angeles.^[7] She is well known for her collaborations with Skrillex, including "WEEKENDS!!!",^[8] "Kyoto"^[9] and the hit single "Bangarang".^[9]

Background

Mitchell was born in 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.^[4] 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;^[4] in an interview, she stated that she lived out of her car and felt safe in doing so.^[4]

Musical career

Mitchell moved from singing to rapping after her mother gave a negative review of her voice,^[2] and mentioned that the turning point for her was when she heard Big Pun's Capital Punishment.^[2]

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.^[8] Their second collaboration, "Bangarang", happened after he called her while he was on tour and asked her to record 16 bars^[8] about the Lost Boys.^[14] She forgot to close the window before recording it,^[14] and thus birds are audible in the recording.^[8] Mitchell has also released a mixtape, C.U.L.T: Too Young to Die.^[14] After that she released another EP, Inhale.^[15]

Influences

Mitchell is influenced by Joni Mitchell, Big Pun, WHY?, Qwel, Black Thought, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Jewel, and Cat Stevens.^[3]

Discography

Albums

Mixtapes

EPs

Singles

Other appearances

References

External links

• Official website