Sirah
Birth nameSara Elizabeth Mitchell[1]
Alias
  • Sirah One
  • Sirah Oner
Birth dateJuly 28, 1988 (age 38)
Birth placeLevittown, New York, U.S.
GenreHip hop · pop[2][non-primary source needed] · moombahton[3] · electronic
OccupationRapper, singer
Years active2007–present
Label
Websitesirahmusic.com

Sara Elizabeth Mitchell[1] (born July 28, 1988), better known by her stage name Sirah (/saɪrə/ SY-rə),[5] is an American rapper and singer from Los Angeles.[6] She collaborated with Skrillex, on "WEEKENDS!!!",[7] "Kyoto",[8] and the hit single "Bangarang".[8]

Background

Mitchell was born on Long Island, New York,[9] to a bluesman and an artist.[10] Her youth included poverty, homelessness and alcoholism.[11] 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,[10] 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.[10] For a while, she considered Union Station her home before purchasing a Jeep Cherokee and living in it[10] 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]

Career

Mitchell moved from singing to rapping after her mother gave a negative review of her voice,[5] and mentioned that the turning point for her was when she heard Big Pun's Capital Punishment.[5]

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.[12] Her first EP, Clean Windows Dirty Floors, was produced by DJ Hoppa.[10] 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.[10]

Skrillex contacted her MySpace, commending her work and requesting that they work together.[13] The first track, "WEEKENDS!!!", resulted when Skrillex asked her to rap her some lyrics she was developing into his laptop.[14] Their second collaboration, "Bangarang", happened after he called her while he was on tour and asked her to record 16 bars[14] about the Lost Boys.[13] She forgot to close the window before recording it,[13] and thus birds are audible in the recording.[14] Sirah has also released a mixtape, C.U.L.T.: Too Young to Die.[13] After that she released another EP, Inhale.[15]

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

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

Mixtapes

TitleDetailsTracks
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

As lead artist

SongYearAlbum
"God's Grace" (with DJ Hoppa)2011
"Deadbeat" (featuring Skrillex)2017
"Say My Name"
"Shots"2018
"Sinner"
"Room"2019
List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
SongYearPeak Chart PositionsCertificationsAlbum
USUS Dance Digital SalesAUSAUTBEL (FL)CANGERNZSWEUK
"WEEKENDS!!!"
(Skrillex featuring Sirah)
2010—25[16]———93[17]100[18]———My Name is Skrillex
"Bangarang"
(Skrillex featuring Sirah)
201272[21]7[16]4[22]25[23]9[18]26[17]55[18]14[24]24[25]24[26]Bangarang
"Speakerbox"[30]
(The Juggernaut featuring Sirah)
2013——————————
"Lilies"
(Lupe Fiasco featuring Sirah)
2014——————————Lost in the Atlantic
"Visionary"
(Rain Man featuring Sirah)
2015——————————
"Memories"
(KSHMR & Bassjackers featuring Sirah)
——————————
"Memories"[31]
(MJ featuring Sirah)
2016——————————
"Stop Me"
(Wiwek featuring Sirah)
——————————The Free & Rebellious
"Daddy"
(Born Dirty featuring Sirah)
2017——————————HOWSLA
"Text Me Back"
(TQX featuring KOOL a.D & Sirah)
2018——————————Global Intimacy
"Stick Up"
(AYERS featuring Sirah)
2020——————————
"Bad Bitch"
(Kiiddo_sounds. featuring Sirah)
2021——————————
"Down To Ride"
(Chip Makahl featuring Sirah)
——————————
"Real Shit"
(Hass Hammoud featuring Sirah)
2022——————————
"COLD BLOODED"
(GANG SIGN featuring Sirah)
——————————
"Turn Up"
(Hass Hammoud featuring Sirah)
——————————

Other charted and certified songs

SongYearPeak Chart PositionsCertificationsAlbum
USUS Dance Digital SalesUS Twit.AUSCANUK
"Kyoto"
(Skrillex featuring Sirah)
201174[21]5[16]—50[22]59[17]175Bangarang
"Waitin' for You"
(Demi Lovato featuring Sirah)
2015——21[32]———Confident

Other appearances

TitleYearOther artist(s)AlbumRef.
"Kyoto"2011SkrillexBangarang
"Survival"2012Alvin RiskInfinity
"Hotel Confidential"2015MAXMs. Anonymous[33]
"Waitin' for You"Demi LovatoConfident
"Detox"2016TY1, EamonHardship[34]
"Mug Shot"MAXHell's Kitchen Angel[35]
"Up In Smoke"Wolfgang Gartner, A-Trak10 Ways To Steal Home Plate[36]
"Go Go Go"2017VerbsThe Progress EP 2: Fuck Yea Man[37]
"Renditions"DestructRebel Minded (10 Year Anniversary Edition)[38]
"Zoloft"UROK[39]
"Love Was Never Enough"2018RILEYLove Was Never Enough[40]
"Bonkers"SNAILSSLIMEAGEDDON[41]
"Shit Talk"2022DVRKOUndone[42]

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. March 13, 2013.
  5. ^ "HC Exclusive: Interview with Female Rapper, Sirah". Her Campus. October 11, 2011.
  6. ^ "Exclusive Q&A with Female Rapper Sirah on Lana's Land's Blog". buzznet.com
  7. ^ "INTERVIEW: Sirah Talks 'Cult'; Explains How She Recorded Vocals for Skrillex's 'Bangarang'". ralphieaversa.com
  8. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company
  9. ^ Article on Sirah, from Thesource.com
  10. ^ "Downtown Music Services". Downtown Music Services. n.d. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  11. ^ Ali, Reyan (n.d.). "Salt Lake City Music – Music Articles: Sirah". Cityweekly.net. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "Sirah: Rap, EDM and 'Fun Dip'". lifeandtimes.com. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  14. ^ "INTERVIEW: Sirah Talks 'Cult'; Explains How She Recorded Vocals for Skrillex's 'Bangarang'". ralphieaversa.com. April 12, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  15. ^ "Sirah's 'Inhale' EP: Exclusive Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  16. ^ "Skrillex Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  17. ^ "Skrillex Billboard Canadian Hot 100 Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  18. ^ "Skrillex - Charts". Ultratop. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  19. ^ "Skrillex - RIAA Gold & Platinum Certifications". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  20. ^ "Gold/Platinum". Music Canada. 2012-03-12. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  21. ^ "Skrillex Billboard Hot 100 Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  22. ^ "Skrillex Australian Charts History". Australian Charts. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  23. ^ "SKRILLEX IN DER ÖSTERREICHISCHEN HITPARADE". Austrian Charts. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  24. ^ "Skrillex - Chart History". Charts New Zealand. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  25. ^ "Skrillex - Chart History". Swedish Charts. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  26. ^ "Artist - Skrillex". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  27. ^ Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  28. ^ "Bangarang". 8858-3470-1. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  29. ^ "Auszeichnungen Archiv" (in de-DE). IFPI Austria - Verband der österreichischen Musikwirtschaft. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  30. ^ "Resurrection Mix by THE_JUGGERNAUT on SoundCloud". SoundCloud. April 8, 2013.
  31. ^ "Memories (feat. Sirah)", 2016-03-03, retrieved 2023-06-29
  32. ^ "Demi Lovato Top Twitter Tracks". Billboard
  33. ^ "Ms. Anonymous EP", 2015-09-25, retrieved 2023-06-29
  34. ^ "Hardship", 2016-05-27, retrieved 2023-06-29
  35. ^ "Hell's Kitchen Angel", 2016-04-08, retrieved 2023-06-29
  36. ^ "10 Ways To Steal Home Plate", 2016-09-09, retrieved 2023-06-29
  37. ^ "The Progress EP 2: Fuck Yea Man", 2017-09-16, retrieved 2023-06-29
  38. ^ "Rebel Minded (10 Year Anniversary Edition)", 2017-08-16, retrieved 2023-06-29
  39. ^ "UROK", 2017-12-08, retrieved 2023-06-29
  40. ^ "Love Was Never Enough", 2018-08-03, retrieved 2023-06-29
  41. ^ "SLIMEAGEDDON", 2018-12-07, retrieved 2023-06-29
  42. ^ "Undone (Deluxe)", 2022-04-01, retrieved 2023-06-29