It didn’t take the rapper MIMS long to come up with the title for his debut album. Both of his parents died by the time he was 13, and it was his love for and dedication to music that kept him focused on success and out of trouble. That’s why the Washington Heights, New York, rapper named his first album Music Is My Savior. The title carries additional weight, too. “If you think of Music Is My Savior as an acronym, it stands for my last name, which is Mims,” says the rapper, born Shawn Mims. “I wanted to be a little clever about it.”

Clever also describes MIMS’ smash single “This Is Why I’m Hot.” It makes a certain amount of sense that the cut — a skeletal, braggadocio club track that gives nods to classic New York rap, Midwest Hip-Hop, the Southern rap scene and the hyphy movement — has become so popular in clubs and on the radio. The song’s producers, the up-and-coming The Blackout Movement, double as DJs. “They understand what the mentality of a DJ is and that’s where we broke the record, the mixshows,” MIMS explains. “The DJs broke the record, and when a DJ creates a record and another DJ listens to it, they have a connection. I think that’s why a lot of DJs appreciated it.”

Fans have made “This Is Why I’m Hot” one of the biggest songs this century, selling over 5 million singles, earning an estimated $16 million dollars. Part of the song’s appeal comes from MIMS’ willingness to embrace and acknowledge rap from regions outside of New York. “For so long, I think that New York has had this arrogant approach to hip-hop and it’s always been, ‘We’re from New York. We are hip-hop,'” he says. “A lot of times, we don’t necessarily pay homage to those outside our market. We have every right to be proud because of hip-hop being created and started in New York, but we do have to pay homage that some of these areas are making great music, like Chi-town, the Dirty South, the West Coast.”

MIMS will keep the clubs rocking with the equally potent “Like This.” With heavy bass, a tempo ideal for dancing and a catchy chorus, the song is a perfect soundtrack for dancefloors. “I wanted to take a club approach and make a dance record,” he says. “I wanted to keep the lyrics semi-simplistic. I’m not lyrically overstepping myself. I’m keeping myself in a pocket to where I feel people are going to recite the words and be able to feel it.”

Thanks to his mother’s support of his interest in music, MIMS had the confidence to pursue his dreams. In fact, MIMS learned a number of valuable lessons from his mother: to learn from his mistakes and to be mindful of others and your surroundings.

These characteristics helped MIMS as he launched his DJ career at age 13. He wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, who had a DJ set at his house. Once he started playing songs, MIMS became more interested in the creation of music, and his interests turned to engineering and producing. By the end of high school, though, MIMS became focused on MCing after his friends encouraged him to continue developing his lyrical skills. 

Today, as his buzz continues growing, he constantly impresses people because of his positive outlook on life despite the personal struggles he has endured.

Grammy-winning R&B; singer renowned for his rich, emotionally resonant vocals and early-2000s classics such as “I Wish” and “Summer Rain.” Raised in Chicago, he was immersed early in the city’s deep soul and gospel traditions—an influence that continues to shape the warmth and honesty of his sound. Before achieving mainstream success, Thomas refined his artistry on the New York City open-mic circuit, where his raw delivery and heartfelt storytelling earned him a reputation as a vocalist of rare authenticity long before wider recognition followed. Today, he continues to captivate audiences worldwide and is also a member of The Chi, a powerful R&B; collective alongside Syleena Johnson and Dave Hollister, uniting three iconic voices to honor classic soul while pushing the genre forward through dynamic live performances and new music.