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 is from the San Francisco Bay Area. After performing and recording with the group Digital Underground, she released her first solo album in 2001.

Early life and background

Mandolyn Wind Ludlum was born in Lower Lake, California. She grew up in different places like rural California, Hawaii, Mexico, and Oregon. She later settled in Oakland, California, when she was in 9th grade. Mystic considers Oakland her home because it's where she grew up and found herself.

Music career highlights

Starting her music journey (1991–1996)

Mystic began taking part in rap battles in the Bay Area in the early 1990s. She started her recording career in 1996.

Working with Digital Underground (1997–1999)

Early in her music career, Mystic worked with producer The Angel. She also toured with the hip-hop group Digital Underground from 1997 to 1999. She appeared on their album Who Got The Gravy using the name DU Goddess. In 1999, she signed a solo contract with Goodvibe Recordings.

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

Mystic released her first album, Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom, in 2001. It was praised by critics and was known as "conscious rap." People sometimes compared her to Lauryn Hill. The album's lead song, "The Life," was featured on the ESPN show The Life and in a commercial. Mystic also toured with The Black Eyed Peas in 2001.

A song from the album, "W," which featured Planet Asia, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2001. Mystic was also nominated for a BET Award in 2002 for 'Best female hip-hop artist'. The album was re-released in 2003 by DreamWorks Records. This new version included two songs produced by Kanye West, one of which featured Mos Def.

European tour and digital release (2007–2011)

In 2007, Mystic went on a tour in Europe. She performed in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In August 2011, her album Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom became available for digital download for the first time.

Taking a break and returning to music (2013–2019)

Mystic took a break from music to focus on her education. She earned a degree from UC Berkeley in 2015. She then earned a master's degree from the University of Oxford in 2019.

She was inspired by one of her professors to make music again. In 2014, she released her album Beautiful Resistance through her own label, Beautifull Soundworks. Mystic believes that hip-hop can help people share their stories and feel stronger. She uses her music to talk about difficult experiences and help others.

From 2007 to 2021, Mystic also worked with the Hip Hop Caucus. This is a group that encourages young U.S. voters to get involved in politics using hip-hop music and culture. She held several roles there, including Organizer and Program Manager.

Recent projects (2022)

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

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

Discography

Albums

• Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom (2001), Goodvibe - reissued (2003), DreamWorks
• Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom (Learning to Breath) (2003), Goodvibe, DreamWorks
• Beautiful Resistance (2014), Beautifull Soundworks
• Dreaming In Cursive: The Girl Who Loved Sparklers (2022), Beautifull Soundworks/Soulspazm

Singles

• "Current Events" (2000), GoodVibe
• "The Life" (2001), GoodVibe
• "The Life" remix by Erik Rico (2001), GoodVibe - featuring Talib Kweli & Kam
• "Girlfriend Sistagirl" (2001), GoodVibe - promo-only
• "Elusive Freedom" / "The Judas Factor" (2001), Raptivism
• "No Competition" (2003), DreamWorks/GoodVibe
• "Breathe (Better Days)" (2003), DreamWorks/GoodVibe - featuring Donell Jones
• "The Forecast" (2004), GoodVibe
• "OK...Alright" (2006), Supa Crucial - digital download only

Compilation appearances

• The Funeral: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture (1996), BMG/Critique - "Gloomy Sunday"
• The New Groove: The Blue Note Remix Project (1996), Blue Note - "Kofi"
• Dark Angel - The Original TV Series Soundtrack (2002), Artemis/Epic - "The Life"
• MTV2 Handpicked (2002), Columbia - "The Life"
• Biker Boyz: Music From The Motion Picture (2002), DreamWorks - "No Competition"
• Underground Airplay Version 1.0 (2001), Rawkus - "Current Events"
• Budweiser commercial (20??), - "The Life"

Contributions

• The Conscious Daughters - Gamers (1996) Priority Records - vocals on "It Don't Stop" and "All Star Freestyle", background vocals on "Who Got Da Mic" and "TCD Fo' Life (West Coast Bomb)"
• Digital Underground - Who Got the Gravy? (1998), Jake/Interscope - vocals on "April Showers"
• Kam - Kamnesia (2001), JCOR Records, vocals on "Bang Bang" and "What I Look Like"
• Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane (2002), Octone/J Records- background vocals on "Sunday Morning"
• Dave Ghetto – "Hey Young World Pt. 2" (2005), Counterflow - vocals on "Hey Young World Pt. 2"
• Ras Kass - Institutionalized (2005), Re-Up Entertainment - vocals on "Unconditional"
• Aceyalone - "Grand Imperial (album)" (2006), Project Blowed/Decon-vocals on "Everything Changes"
• Waxolutionists - We Paint Colors (2009), Sunshine Enterprises - vocals on "Dance With Me" & "Feet Don't Fail Me"

DVD

• Soundz of Spirit (2003) - documentary film