Overcome The Notion That You Must Be Regular It Robs You Of The Chance To Be Extraordinary Ishmael McKinson BIO With a colorful sense of style that straddles the line between trendy and rock-pop sexy, singer, songwriter, dancer, model, actor, designer, and entertainer Ishmael McKinson, is filled with a creative fire that burns like a chameleon. His influences are inspired by some of the best proofs in music - Michael Jackson and Prince, because “they are eclectic in their own way.” A quality he admits he sees in himself. “Their eccentricity is electrifying and breathtaking. He also counts pop sensations Whitney Houston and Beyonce’ to his selective list. “They all have a strength that commands the audience whenever they are on stage. They mesmerize you and made you listen.” He sums it up by saying, “that is what Ishmael, the artist, would like to emulate.” Born on the Island of Kingston in Jamaica, and raised by a single parent, Ishmael’s father was the breadwinner who sheltered him and his brother, but it was his older cousin who he praises as his mentor. His gift as a singer ignited at the young age of only 5 years old, during a Sunday church service in his hometown, when he stood up in front of an audience of church-goers to sing. Once he belted out gospel hymns, his voice filled the entire house of worship with a spiritual joy so powerful that it even brought him to tears. That was the defining moment that he recognized his talent, and set out on a mission with a purpose to pursue a music career. Like most, he found himself coping with some personal challenges and stumbling blocks. Although broke and hungry, he fixed his sights on trekking cross-country, auditioning for spots on mainstream talent spring boards like American Idol, The Voice, America’s Got Talent and Sunday’s Best, continuing to let his energy boost carry him forward along his creative path. Insisting on not being a prisoner of his own dreams, he later packed his belongings and headed from Baltimore to Atlanta in search of becoming the next to shine, after many sacrifices and years of hard work. The rest is history. Now its Ishmael’s time to take center stage as he prepares for the release of his [yet untitled] debut EP. Eccentric, Eclectic, Penetrative, Meaningful, and Timeless is how he describes his unconventional music. The album’s theme mirrors Ishmael’s own personal relationships and triumphs, both good and the bad; while also serving up a glimpse of how people’s wrongdoings eventually result in “a karma of bad fate deposited into their own bucket of misfortune,” because of their transgressions. Summed up by the saying: never bite the hand that feeds you, Ishmael reminds us that others will do for you, but if you don’t and take their kindness for granted, that time will be the master of what you get. The catchy track, “Bite The Hands” is about a previous relationship that ended badly, as he takes you through his trauma, but also the lessons he learned from this experiences, which made him a stronger person. “Girl I can't believe/what we came to be …/ restraining order, put in place and ordering me to f**king leave/ are you forgetting me? I made you royalty / took you in from your mommas couch/ got you all in my house….and Karma is the *****, that's gonna bite you... girl I don’t need ya.” Led by the first EP single, “Room 102,” he revels in a one night stand that took place after having a serious connection with a stunning dame that he met at a hotel party. They both agree to take the rendezvous to Room 102 where the two created you know what... “You can meet me in my room 102/ Imma put it all on you/Got my mind all on you, no we won't tell what we do/ In my room 102, where I'm grinding on all you/ there are no rules when I'm with you, in 102.” “A Man To Do” forces you to question your choices about what to do when you clearly know that you’re in an unbalanced relationship with someone who acts like they want you, but they really don’t. The track “Intoxicated” was inspired by what began as a simple rendezvous that led him to more trysts from a DM that posted on Instagram. Later, finding out that the more you’re with that person, you’re find yourself seriously falling for them. Then you find out that all they only wanted was to just have a good time. The first single, “Room 102,” is scheduled for release on Mason J Records, a subsidiary of CSP Music Group, under the musical direction of super-producer, Christopher Starr and his CSP team of engineers. The song will be available on iTunes, Spotify and other digital platforms the first quarter of 2016. In true character, Ishmael hopes to exercise his unique talent and skills with purpose. He intends to use his voice as an instrument to inspire, encourage, and uplift audiences through his penetrating sound and the universal messages in his music. Follow Ishmael McKinson Facebook: Ishmael McKinson Instagram: IAmIshmaelM Twitter: IAmIshmaelM YouTube: Ishmael McKinson