Mystic (singer) facts for kids

Mandolyn Wind Ludlum (born March 28, 1974), known by her stage name Mystic, is an American singer and rapper. She comes from the San Francisco Bay Area. After touring and recording with the group Digital Underground, she released her first solo album in 2001.

Early Life and Growing Up

Mandolyn Wind Ludlum was born on March 28, 1974. She grew up in a special kind of community called a commune in Lower Lake, California. Her mother was white and her father was African-American. When she was three, her parents separated, and her mother raised her. She talks about this experience in her song "Fatherless Child."

Mystic moved around a lot as a child. She lived in rural California, Hawaii, Mexico, and Oregon. Finally, in 9th grade, she settled in Oakland, California. She considers Oakland her home. She says it's where she "became a woman" and truly found herself.

Mystic's Music Journey

Starting Her Music Career (1991–1996)

In the early 1990s, Mystic started taking part in MC Battles. These were rap competitions in the Bay Area. She left high school at the end of 11th grade in 1991. Later, in 1996, she began teaching art. This was also when her recording career started. Her song "Gloomy Sunday" was even featured in a movie soundtrack.

Joining Digital Underground (1997–1999)

Early in her music journey, Mystic worked with another female producer called The Angel. She also toured with the famous hip-hop group Digital Underground. This was between 1997 and 1999. She appeared on their album Who Got The Gravy as "DU Goddess." Before becoming a solo artist, she also worked as a writer for Rude Gal Music.

Her First Album: Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom (2001–2003)

In 2001, Mystic released her first solo album. It was called Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom. She worked with well-known hip-hop producers like Shock G and A-Plus. Critics praised the album and called it "conscious rap." This means the songs had deep messages and ideas. People even compared her to the famous artist Lauryn Hill.

To promote her album, Mystic went on the Tree of Life tour in 2001. Her main song from the album, "The Life," was very popular. It was used in the ESPN show The Life. It also appeared in a commercial for Bud Light in 2004. In 2001, she also toured with The Black Eyed Peas.

Her song "W," which featured Planet Asia, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2001. This was for a new category called Best Rap/Song Collaboration. Mystic was also nominated for a BET Award in 2002. This was for 'Best female hip-hop artist.' In 2003, her album was re-released with five extra songs. Two of these new songs were produced by Kanye West. One even featured Mos Def.

European Tour and Digital Release (2007–2011)

In 2007, Mystic went on a tour in Europe. She performed with other artists like Dave Ghetto and Hezekiah. The tour started in Berlin and went through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In August 2011, her album Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom became available for digital download. This was the first time fans could download it online.

Taking a Break and Returning to Music (2013–2019)

Mystic decided to take a break from music. She wanted to focus on her education. In 2015, she earned a Bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley. Then, in 2019, she earned a Master's degree from the University of Oxford.

One of her professors at UC Berkeley inspired her to make music again. In 2014, she released a new album called Beautiful Resistance. She released it independently through her own company, Beautifull Soundworks.

From 2007 to 2021, Mystic also worked with the Hip Hop Caucus. This is a non-profit group that uses hip-hop music and culture. Their goal is to encourage young U.S. voters to get involved in politics. Mystic held many roles there over the years.

Recent Projects (2022)

In 2022, Mystic released her first solo album in eight years. It's called Dreaming in Cursive: The Girl Who Loved Sparklers. She described this album as her "healed Black woman music." It focuses on positive messages and love.

Her newest project is a short film called A Black Love Trilogy. She helped write and direct the film, and she also stars in it. It is currently being finished.

Mystic's Music Albums

Mystic has released several albums throughout her career:

• Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom (2001)
• Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom (Learning to Breath) (2003)
• Beautiful Resistance (2014)
• Dreaming In Cursive: The Girl Who Loved Sparklers (2022)

Music Singles

She has also released many singles, which are individual songs:

• "Current Events" (2000)
• "The Life" (2001)
• "No Competition" (2003)
• "Breathe (Better Days)" (2003)
• "The Forecast" (2004)
• "OK...Alright" (2006)

Other Music Projects

Mystic has appeared on various compilation albums and contributed to other artists' songs. For example, her song "Gloomy Sunday" was on a movie soundtrack. She also provided vocals for songs by artists like Digital Underground and Maroon 5.

Documentary Film

• Soundz of Spirit (2003) - This is a documentary film that features Mystic.