Sy Smith: Difference between revisions
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* Chris Botti Tour (2008-2009) |
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* Soul Uprising/Soul Sista Tour (2009) |
* Soul Uprising/Soul Sista Tour (2009) |
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* Live on Tour (2010) |
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==Filmography== |
==Filmography== |
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Revision as of 18:37, 5 August 2010
Sy Smith |
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Sy Olivia Smith (born February 18, 1978) is an American singer-songwriter. Born in New York, New York, Smith rose to fame in the late 1990s when she sign a recording contract with Hollywood Records. She is often referred to as The Underground Queen of R&B and Soul.
Smith released her album Psykosoul in 2000, which spawned the singles "Good N Strong" and "Gladly". Following the release of her first album, Smith left Hollywood due to lack of promotion. By 2004, Smith had signed another recording contract with Kajmere Records and later in 2005 began her own recording label known as Pysko! Records. In 2005, Smith re-issued of her first album entitled, Psykosoul Plus, with the new single "Welcome Back". Later that year, Smith released her sophomore album The Syberspace Social spawning the three new singles "Fa'Sho", "Aquaris Rising", and "No Place Like Love". In 2006, Smith 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". With album finally creating a buzz, Smith released three other singles "Conflict", "Spies", and "Ain't Nobody's Bizness".
1990-95: Early life and career beginnings
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.
Musical career
1998-2003: Psykosoul
Smith later signed a solo recording contract with Hollywood Records and lead off with the single[2] and music video[3] "Gladly" in late 1999. Another single "Good N'Strong" followed in 2000. Her debut album Psykosoul garnered early critical acclaim,[4] was released in 2001. Only her cover of Edie Brickell's "What I Am" received an official release with its inclusion on the television soundtrack album of the animated series The PJs.[5] The album was eventually re-issued independently with bonus tracks and remixes in 2005 as Psykosoul Plus.[6]
In 2001, she was honored by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences with an Emmy nomination in the category of Outstanding Music and Lyrics for writing and performing "Welcome Back (All My Soulmates)" the title track to the HBO Original movie Dancing in September starring Isaiah Washington and Nicole Ari Parker. Between releases, Sy served as sometime lead singer for British funk outfit Brand New Heavies on their album We Won't Stop.[7]
2004-2007: The Syberspace Social
She continued to write, produce, arrange, and sing background for other artists. Smith duetted with soul legend Al Green on the theme song to the Showtime series Soul Food.[8] She also made an appearance on the solo debut of Ali Shaheed Muhammad's Shaheedullah and Stereotypes album. In 2004, Smith landed the lead role of "Rose" in the film Black Rose. Smith continued her acting career in the 2004 film The Seat Filler as "Fitz (VJ)".
In 2005, Smith began her own record label called Psyko! Inc., which is supported through MDI Distribution. Later that year, Smith emerged with her sophomore album, The Syberspace Social. The album featured contributions from R&B singer Anthony Hamilton[9] and producers such as James Poyser and Victor Duplaix. Smith's sophomore album spawned three singles "Fa'Sho", "Aquarius Rising", and "No Place Like Love".
In 2006, Smith released a promotional single "Fill in the Blanks", which appears on Airpushers' Themes for the Ordinarily Strange. 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. Later that year, Smith appeared in the film Body Language as "Holt". In support of her previous albums, Smith embarked on her lengthy Sy Smith concert tour, which was made into the concert DVD Sy Smith Live: Worship At The Temple. The concert DVD was recorded live at Temple Bar in Santa Monica, California.
2008-2009: Conflict
In 2008, Smith released her third studio album, Conflict, with the lead single "Fly Away With Me". With album finally creating a buzz, Smith released three other singles "Conflict", "Spies", and "B-Side Love Affair". In 2009, she made a guest performance at the Live in Boston show of Chris Botti where she sang the Burt Baccarach 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 July 2009, Smith toured along with YahZarah, Conya Doss and Ra-Re Valverde in the Soul Uprising Tour.
2010-present: New project
In April 2010, Smith appeared on The Mo'Nique Show to promote her third album and later performed her song "Fly Away With Me". Smith is planning to release an extended play in 2010.[10]
Style
Vocals
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 "Would All The People from Compton Please Leave". While Smith has been known for her high-pitched vocals, she can also sing in an alto range.
Influences
Smith has been influenced by singers such as Minnie Riperton, Diana Ross, and James Brown. 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.
Stage
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.
Acting
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".
Personal life
Sy Smith is now married to actor and music video director Shawn Carter Peterson. Smith is also good friends with N'dambi, Raheem DeVaughn, Conya Doss, and E Reece.
Discography
- Albums
- 2000: Psykosoul
- 2005: The Syberspace Social
- 2008: Conflict
- Video Releases
Tours
- Blue Note Tour (2006)
- Sy Smith Tour (2007)
- Chris Botti Tour (2008-2009)
- Soul Uprising/Soul Sista Tour (2009)
- Live on Tour (2010)
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Awards and nominations
These are the awards won by American R&B singer Sy Smith.
| Year | Category | Nominated Work | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primetime Emmy Awards | |||||
| 2003 | 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 | ||
References
- ^ a b "Sy Smith". The Soul of Amsterdam.
- ^ "Gladly" single release on Amazon.com
- ^ "Gladly" music video on Yahoo! Music
- ^ Template:Amg
- ^ Template:Amg
- ^ Psykosoul Plus on CD Baby
- ^ The Syberspace Social on Amazon.com
- ^ The Syberspace Social (#2) on Amazon.com
- ^ The Syberspace Social on CD Baby
- ^ Published by Krysten Hughes Q&A// CONFLICT, LOVE AND NO REGRETS: SY SMITH. CentricTV. Retrieved on April 30, 2010
External links
- Template:Amg
- SySmith.com - Official site