The ArtisT

-"We make violins sing"-

"Well our slogan is we make violins sing" is what Umoja McNeish, one half of the duo known as Sons Of Mystro, said. Sons Of Mystro (SOM) is a violin power duo made up of two brothers, Umoja McNeish and Malcolm McNeish. They work to blend their classical violin training and at times classical musical compositions with hip-hop, raggae, and neo-soul styles of music. SOM's sound is identifyable by their ability to have their stringed instruments mimic the notes and rhythms of a vocal performer. Starting their duo as kids they have grown into a nationally recognized figure in the music community.

The Beginnings

VIOLIN

Born and raised in South Florida, Malcom and Umoja McNeish were immersed in a rich and diverse music culture. Their mother enrolled them in orchestra (which they only agreed to after hearing they might get to go to Disney World or Busch Gardens one day) and kept track of their practicing habits and holding them accountable. Their father, a 1970's DJ known as "Daddy Mystro" encouraged them to pursue their artistry as a duo after they saw The Black Violin.... hence the name SONS of Mystro, or maybe more to the point Sons of Daddy Mystro.

They attended Bethune Elementary School and Parkway Middle School before attending Dillard High School for the Performing Arts. Here they continued their classical training during school and would improvise to the music playing on the bus radio on their way home. They would try to get their violins to match the voices and music they were hearing.

Malcom and Umoja were heavily influenced in forming their style by their family's Caribean roots and exposure to Carribean music such as raggae and dance hall. Their fathers history as a DJ would also bring Disco and Hip Hop music into their daily lives.

The Break-Out

VIOLA

Sons of Mystro's first big break was at a Miami Heat game also doubling as a Keys To The City Ceremony honorying Wyclef Jean and Kim and Kourtney Kardashian. At this game they performed "Back In Black," the Miami Heat's theme song. The duo remembers this fondly for the excitement, the star-studded crowd, and the pyrotechnics involved.

After growing their musical identity and finding their artistic voice they were eventually noticed by their inspiration/idols The Black Violin. The Black Violin, another violin duo who are considered a hip hop violin duo, reached out to them via social media to collaborate on a project. Since then they have served not only as inspiration to SOM but as mentors and peers.

Where are they Now?

CELLO

Since that Miami Heat game, Sons of Mystro has gone on to perform all over the United States for some very high profile opportunities. SOM have opened for The Fray and later for Dennis Edwards and the Temptations Revue for the Nat Kind Cole Generation Hope ink, and Sean Paul. They have also performed for ESPN/BCS Championship Party, Annual Jazz In The Gardens (alongside Fantasia, Babyface, New Edition, Monica, Neyo, and their personal idols Earth, Wind, and Fire), and a featured act on Carnival On The Mile.

SOM also has a strong social media presence on Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube making them accessible to younger audiences. They have gone viral on Tik Tok on occassion amassing nearly 75,000 followers and over 10,000 subscribers on youtube.

You can find their music on their social media pages as well as on Soundcloud, Apple Music, and Spotify. Below is an interview with Malcom and Umoja where they discuss their childhood, inspirations, and musical influences in more detail.

(PLEASE NOTE: Videos provided are NOT intended to be shown to students before they see the show or shared in public spaces. These are included for teacher planning and research purposes only.)

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