Urban Mystic

Being compared to the likes of old school rhythm and blues stars Sam Cooke and Bobby Womack is something that newcomer Urban Mystic handles graciously.

The 19 year-old whose album Ghetto Revelations and single Where Were You are making strides on the Billboard charts these days, utilises the influences of those legendary stars along with the influences from his involvement in the church, for his debut project.

"Í handle the compliments quite well. It's a great compliment because I grew up listening to those types of artistes, so its definitely an honour," says Urban Mystic whose real name is Brandon Williams and who is from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The up and coming singer/ songwriter/producer is in the midst of redefining contemporary R&B with the goods displayed on his debut album Ghetto Revelations. Released last month on SoBe Entertainment and distributed by the Warner Music Group, Ghetto Revelations gets help from well known names in the R&B and rap world.

Prolific 1980s crooner El DeBarge, one-time Naughty by Nature member Kay Gee (who produced hits for Jaheim, Next and Naughty by Nature) and Red Spyda (known for his work with Jadakiss, Lloyd Banks and Twista) contribute tracks to Ghetto Revelations.

"Working with those producers was really cool. I enjoyed working with Kay-Gee. It was a real pleasure. We got the hook-up through my A&R. I wouldn't mind working with him again," Urban Mystic said.

The journey has been a long one for Urban Mystic. He signed a record deal at 18, and since then he has been working to get his material on the market.

"It's been a grind for me ever since I signed my record deal. It was important for me to get something out there that I can say is mine. As they always say, good things come to those who wait. Now I can appreciate all that has been going on," he added.

The son of a church minister, and the youngest of four, Urban Mystic realised from an early age that music was in his soul. I grew up in a neighbourhood in Fort Lauderdale and I went to middle school, then high school. I didn't have a rough life, but I have been through some struggles. At one time I was wondering where my next meal was coming from," he said.

After nearly a decade of performing in his father's church, Mystic convinced his family that he was destined for the big times as a singer. He eventually got some assistance and guidance under the watchful eye of his older brother Christopher.

Urban Mystic has added a number of impressive accolades to his artistic resume. Among them is a guest role in the 1999 independent film Ghetto Fabulous which was produced by Big Baller Records, and an appearance in a US advertising campaign for Sprite.

Asked what direction he opted to take artistically as far as Ghetto Revelations was concerned he said, "I am just keeping it to the hood. I want the album not only to appeal to the mature listeners but also to the younger crowd. There are some experiences from the ghetto and some revelations as well," Urban Mystic said.

When asked what he loves most about performance and music, Urban Mystic said: "I love being able to express myself. When I perform, I tend to forget that I am on stage. I just close my eyes and get in the zone."

If his first single Where Were You (the video has been in regular rotation on BET and the song is number 73 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart), is any indication of Urban Mystic's God-given talent, then this young man is sure to please neo-soul and old-school R&B listeners alike, who long for soul and rhythm to make a reappearance in good urban music.

Ghetto Revelations debuted at number 50 on Billboard's R&B/Hip Hop Album chart.

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