Born on November 29th 1975 in St. Andrews Grenada, Shawn “Mr. Roots” Mitchell began his musical journey at the tender age of 5 years old as a drummer for Folk and Ballet groups in his village. At 10 years old he began singing and performing with the guidance of his uncle and mentor King Ajamu. He became intimately known as “Small Roots”.
Shawn continued his singing career after he migrated to the United States of America at the age of 11 but then, realised that he was more interested in playing instruments and began learning to play the Bass Guitar. While attending High School, Shawn’s training with the Saxophone exposed him to Jazz, Latin, Classical and Marching Band Music. Shawn’s love for the Bass Guitar moved him to return to it in his final year of high school, after which, he continued playing and practicing.
In 1996, Shawn’s first professional opportunity came in the form of a Bass player aboard Cruise Ships. Shawn’s natural artistic abilities came to fruition when he began producing music, as well as expanding his skills by teaching himself to play Keyboards.
After a two-year period on board the Cruise Ship, Shawn’s career really took off when he met a group of talented musicians and a singer.
They formed their own band called "Request". Once again, Shawn’s creativity came to the fore as he multi-tasked as the band’s Producer, Musical Director and Keyboardist for three (3) years during which he produced three (3) albums.
A meeting with a member of Machel Montano's band Xtatik in late 2002 opened further avenues for his career when he was hired for one show. He was then requested for another performance with the band in January 2003. Being a driven individual and wanting more led to the further progression of his musical career in February 2003, when he resigned his post with Request and began his journey as the Bassist of the top Soca Band Xtatik which is now known as HD.
With the experience and influence to which he was exposed to by being with the group, Shawn’s ambition allowed him to dig deeper into Bass playing. He created his own style of playing and always has always tried to be as innovative as possible with regards to his music.
Popularly known as Mr. Roots, Shawn demonstrated his versatility in September of 2003 when he started his own Recording Studio and becoming a Certified Recording Engineer in March 2007.
His musical career gained further momentum a month later when he met with Grenada-based entrepreneur Wayne Green. They both shared the same goal of uplifting the Grenadian Music to stand alongside the other music of the world. Out of this mutual goal, they formed their own Production Company called Homebase Music with Shawn being the Production Manager.
The success of Homebase Music is evidenced by two Road March, two Soca Monarch and one Groovy Soca Monarch titles accredited to the Company and in 2010 Patrice Roberts’ “Work-it (from the Bubble-Up Riddim)” placing fourth in the finals of the International Groovy Soca Monarch (Trinidad & Tobago, with the CD “Soca City” being released in 2007 and in 2009 the Cd “Fully Loaded”. They continue to make headway by working not only with Grenadian artistes but talent from all over the Caribbean, United States, Canada, Europe and beyond.
The scope of Homebase Music has been further expanded by their Artiste Management and the training development of these artistes.
Shawn “Mr. Roots” Mitchell’s versatility is obvious since his abilities are not restricted to Soca, but also produces other genres such as Reggae, Dancehall, Zouk and Hip Hop.
He has worked with artistes like:
Mr.Vegas
Benjai
Kes Dieffenthaller
Tallpree
Sherwayne Winchester
Ziggy Rankin
General Grant
Mista Vybe
Ms.Alysha
Mr. Killa
Jamesy P
Esco
And lately for the “Fully Loaded” Album- Machel MontanoHD and the HD Family (Patrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy, Unmi Marcano and Zan)
And a host of some young and very talented upcoming artistes and musicians who he admires.
During the expanse of his career, Shawn had the opportunity to travel to many interesting places like Belgium, Sweden, London, Guadeloupe and all over the Caribbean and the privilege to share the stage with some of the world’s biggest acts like, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Elton John, Earth Wind And Fire, Natalie Cole, Beyonce, Wyclef Jean, Kassav, Lil Jon, Sean Paul, Chris Brown, PitBull, Busta Rhymes, Busy Signal, Vibes Cartel and many more.
Shawn continued his singing career after he migrated to the United States of America at the age of 11 but then, realised that he was more interested in playing instruments and began learning to play the Bass Guitar. While attending High School, Shawn’s training with the Saxophone exposed him to Jazz, Latin, Classical and Marching Band Music. Shawn’s love for the Bass Guitar moved him to return to it in his final year of high school, after which, he continued playing and practicing.
In 1996, Shawn’s first professional opportunity came in the form of a Bass player aboard Cruise Ships. Shawn’s natural artistic abilities came to fruition when he began producing music, as well as expanding his skills by teaching himself to play Keyboards.
After a two-year period on board the Cruise Ship, Shawn’s career really took off when he met a group of talented musicians and a singer.
They formed their own band called "Request". Once again, Shawn’s creativity came to the fore as he multi-tasked as the band’s Producer, Musical Director and Keyboardist for three (3) years during which he produced three (3) albums.
A meeting with a member of Machel Montano's band Xtatik in late 2002 opened further avenues for his career when he was hired for one show. He was then requested for another performance with the band in January 2003. Being a driven individual and wanting more led to the further progression of his musical career in February 2003, when he resigned his post with Request and began his journey as the Bassist of the top Soca Band Xtatik which is now known as HD.
With the experience and influence to which he was exposed to by being with the group, Shawn’s ambition allowed him to dig deeper into Bass playing. He created his own style of playing and always has always tried to be as innovative as possible with regards to his music.
Popularly known as Mr. Roots, Shawn demonstrated his versatility in September of 2003 when he started his own Recording Studio and becoming a Certified Recording Engineer in March 2007.
His musical career gained further momentum a month later when he met with Grenada-based entrepreneur Wayne Green. They both shared the same goal of uplifting the Grenadian Music to stand alongside the other music of the world. Out of this mutual goal, they formed their own Production Company called Homebase Music with Shawn being the Production Manager.
The success of Homebase Music is evidenced by two Road March, two Soca Monarch and one Groovy Soca Monarch titles accredited to the Company and in 2010 Patrice Roberts’ “Work-it (from the Bubble-Up Riddim)” placing fourth in the finals of the International Groovy Soca Monarch (Trinidad & Tobago, with the CD “Soca City” being released in 2007 and in 2009 the Cd “Fully Loaded”. They continue to make headway by working not only with Grenadian artistes but talent from all over the Caribbean, United States, Canada, Europe and beyond.
The scope of Homebase Music has been further expanded by their Artiste Management and the training development of these artistes.
Shawn “Mr. Roots” Mitchell’s versatility is obvious since his abilities are not restricted to Soca, but also produces other genres such as Reggae, Dancehall, Zouk and Hip Hop.
He has worked with artistes like:
Mr.Vegas
Benjai
Kes Dieffenthaller
Tallpree
Sherwayne Winchester
Ziggy Rankin
General Grant
Mista Vybe
Ms.Alysha
Mr. Killa
Jamesy P
Esco
And lately for the “Fully Loaded” Album- Machel MontanoHD and the HD Family (Patrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy, Unmi Marcano and Zan)
And a host of some young and very talented upcoming artistes and musicians who he admires.
During the expanse of his career, Shawn had the opportunity to travel to many interesting places like Belgium, Sweden, London, Guadeloupe and all over the Caribbean and the privilege to share the stage with some of the world’s biggest acts like, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Elton John, Earth Wind And Fire, Natalie Cole, Beyonce, Wyclef Jean, Kassav, Lil Jon, Sean Paul, Chris Brown, PitBull, Busta Rhymes, Busy Signal, Vibes Cartel and many more.
