Mims

Shawn Tapiwa Mims (born March 22 1981) is an American rapper from Washington Heights, Manhattan. He was signed to Capitol Records (now Geffen Records) and serves as president and CEO of American King Music. Mims rose to fame after the release of his popular single "This Is Why I'm Hot" and his debut album Music Is My Savior. Mims also owns his own production company, which is co-owned by Blackout Movement. In 2006 along with his business partners Corey "CL" Llewllyn and Erik Mendelson, they founded the record label, American King Music.

Early life
Shawn Mims was born in Washington Heights, Manhattan, to a family of Jamaican heritage. His early dreams were to be a music producer, and at the age of twelve, his mother bought him a DJ system. When he was thirteen, his mother died while giving birth to his sister Alexis. His father, whom Mims did not know well, had died two years earlier. After his mother's death, he lived (along with his brother and sister) with his aunt and his grandmother. Mims was a straight-A student during junior high and high school.

Music career
After graduating from high school, Mims attended Nassau Community College. After two months of classes, Mims left in order to pursue a rap career. Forming an acquaintance with Cam'ron, he began spending time in Harlem, where Mims was discovered by Push Plan Records. In 2001, he was featured on a compilation called Private Party Collectors Edition Vol. 2, by Toronto's Baby Blue Soundcrew. His appearance on the single "Love Em' All", alongside Choclair, briefly made him well-known in Canada. The music video was also nominated for an MMVA award. (The song was unreleased in the United States.)

Soon after the Canadian success, Mims left Push Plan, believing the company was slow in promoting and releasing his music. He began to record with Latin hip hop label Urban Box Office Records, albeit without a record deal. He met Blackout of Blackout Movement at his friend's wedding, and, along with Digiwaxx, recorded the Blackout-produced track "I Did You Wrong", in which he talks about past relationships.

The song was popular in New York City, and led to him working as an opening act and hype man for Method Man on his tour. He continued to record with UBO, but without signs of career advancement. He decided to leave UBO in order to avoid an impending dispute. The label shut down and Mims attempted to find a solo deal with a major label. He contacted Universal Records, J Records, and Interscope Records, each of which turned him down.

In 2006, formed his own record label, American King Music, with business partners Corey Llewllyn and Erik Mendelson. He attempted to secure distribution through Atlantic Records, but they declined to distribute another New York rapper. Other labels were similarly uninterested.

Mims then released "This Is Why I'm Hot," which became a hit. Labels that had previously turned him down, such as Interscope Records, began to pursue him and attempt to persuade him to sign with them. Mims decided to sign his American King imprint to EMI's Capitol Records in December 2006. This move attracted some criticism; according to Mims, Capitol understood him better than the other labels. He then began work on his debut album, Music Is My Savior.

Music Is My Savior (2007)
On March 27, 2007, Mims released his debut album, Music Is My Savior. The album marked the first release on his American King Music label. The album's sales were propelled by the hit single "This Is Why I'm Hot", panned by some and praised by others for its simple, catchy chorus. There are also three other singles from the album "Its Alright", "Like This", and "Without You". Guest appearances come from J. Holiday, Bun B, Seed, Letoya Luckett, Cham, Junior Reid, and Purple Popcorn.

The album debuted at #4 on the charts. Digital sales attained platinum status, however only 300,000 physical copies were sold in the United States. In response, Mims said that the RIAA needs to include digital downloads and CD burning in its sales records.

Mims was criticized for his album being unoriginal and only featuring one other New York rapper on the album and one who is relatively unknown to the public. Mims has also been critized for relying on ringtone sales rather than album sales.

After the release of his debut album, Mims participated in the Microsoft Zune tour and announced plans for his second album. In early 2008, he left Capitol Records and announced a new deal with Geffen Records.

Upcoming album (2008)
Mims' second studio album was announced to be due sometime in 2008.

Frequent Collaborator (2007-2008)
Since the release of his debut album, Mims has hopped on guest verses ans on unofficial remixes. The first of this was on Daddy Yankee's "Por Eso Estay Peago." In the year 2007, he appeared on Prince Ty's "Coulda Shoulda, Woulda," an unofficial remix of Eve's "Tambourine," Maroon 5's "Makes Me Wonder (remix)," Obama Girl's "I Like a Boy" with Leah, T.I's "Big Things Poppin (remix)," Page's "Ballin Is My Hobby (remix)," Jay-Z's "Blue Magic (remix) also featuring Pharrell, Class The King's "New York Minute," Rune's "Calabria 2007 (remix) also featuring the late Natasja Saad, Bang City's "Say Cheese," also featuring Atiba, he also appeared on "Daddy" by protoge Bad Seed. Mims kicked off 2008 by jumping on Solange Knowles' lead single, "Lies," on a guest verse, along with a collaboration on protoge Black Heff's "Bottle of Patron," new American King Music signee, Jason Derulo's "Cyber Love." Besides these songs he also has appeared on Willie Joe's "Get 'Em, Got 'Em," which also featured Bloodraw and B.O.B. He recently appeared alongside friend, N.O.R.E. on his posse cut, "Set It Off (remix) Pt. 2." That song also features Sho, Capone, Joell Ortiz, Mistah F.A.B., and Garcia & DJ EFN. In February, he appeared on former Capitol Records label mate Kylie Minogue's remix to "All I See." Ryan Leslie has called on Mims and Trazz for an unoficial remix to his hit single "Diamond Girl."

Studio albums

 * 2007: Music Is My Savior

Mixtapes

 * The Future
 * Released: 2007
 * Label: American King Music/Capitol

Awards History

 * 2001: MuchMusic Video Awards, Best Rap Video, "Love 'Em All" (Nominated)
 * 2007: VMA, Monster Single of the Year, "This Is Why I'm Hot" (Nominated)
 * 2007: BET Awards, Best New Artist (Nominated)
 * 2007: BET Hip Hop Awards, Rookie of the Year (Nominated)
 * 2007: BET Hip Hop Awards, People's Champ (Nominated)
 * 2007: BET Hip Hop Awards, Best Ringtune (Nominated)