ROYAL STUDIOS
The epitome of music culture residing in Memphis, Tennessee. The past, present, and future of melody.
— AL GREEN — KEITH RICHARDS— BRUNO MARS — SNOOP DOGG —
Embark on a noteworthy digital experience of the originating birth place of Memphis sound, and a home that has welcomed a plethora of prestigious influences.
Driving down Willie Mitchell Blvd. you will notice the rocky and cracked streets, the chain-link fences that surround neighbor’s yards, and abandoned apartment buildings as well as boarded up businesses. The rough and crude exterior may not be welcoming to some, but I believe that it reveals the extensive history that has taken place in South-Memphis, Tennessee. Little do people know there is a diamond hidden in the rough located on this influential street.
This diamond is, a tiny building made of light-brown bricks that has a word engraved to them. The word, ‘Royal,’ is shown in bold letters at the top of the building. Some of bricks are painted forest green, and part of the bricks have murals depicting two black records. The green bricks also lead to a painted portrait of the one and only, Mr. Willie Mitchell. This building may not look like much, but Mitchell has put his passion for soul into a billion dollar music empire called, Royal Studios.
The legendary producer, Willie Mitchell, took on an aspiration and turned it into a massive and powerful business. Royal Studios was the birthplace of the smooth and soulful melodies of many artists. He took on the renowned studio in the late 1960’s after the original owner, Joe Coughi, passed away. Mitchell’s flair for music led him on a journey that drastically changed the music industry completely. In the 1970’s, Mitchell produced all of Al Green’s familiar and famous hits that we know today.
“I’m So Tired of Being Alone,” “Let’s Stay Together,” “Love and Happiness,” and “Take Me To The River” are just a few name droppers that have impacted the musical world of soul. Mitchell and Green produced a number one hit for four years straight which gave Royal Studios its extraordinary mark on soul-music forever. Mitchell and Green sold more than twenty million records with each other. Willie Mitchell then went on to record many different influential artists. These artists include: Ann Peebles, Keith Richarchs, Don Bryant, George Jackson, Ace Cannon, and Bobby Blue Bland. Not only was Mitchell a phenomenal individual in the industry, he went on to pass down his legacy to his children. It was Mitchell’s kids who took on the engineering and pioneering of original music after his passing in 2010.
Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, Willie Mitchell’s son, has incredibly taken his father’s desire for the unusual, soulful, and indigenous tunes and has completely taken on the modern world like wildfire as did his father.
Walking up the monumental piano steps that lead to the heart of the harmonized structure, you feel as though you have entered a sort of pandemonium. The constant movement of footsteps, the creeks in the floor, the clatter of musical knowledge being discussed, the laughter and warmth moving through the walls, the slap of guitar strings, the rhythmic beat of percussion instruments all intertwined together to make up the beating heart that was put in place by Willie Mitchell more than half a century ago. The studio still has its original exterior which makes it a prime place for artists to get the original old sound for their music. Most artists aren’t able or know anybody who still records like Royal Studios does. This is definitely an attractive factor for music tycoons. Boo Mitchell puts his whole well-being and effort into the studio. In the recent years, Boo has conquered a movie project called, Take Me To The River. The movie depicts infamous musicians from the Mississippi Delta mentoring and teaching rising students and young adults as well as making a special album. The movie featured top musicians including: Snoop Dogg, Terrence Howard, William Bell, Otis Clay, Cody and Luther Dickinson, Yo Gotti, and David Porter. The infamous studio is, of course, the primary setting of the movie due to its unique sound. This isn’t the only time the studio has been found in up and coming films. It was also shown in an iconic rapper’s music video that was taken in Memphis. The studio is shown at the beginning of the Worst Behavior video also known as one of Drake’s most prominent songs from the Nothing Was The Same album. Furthermore, Royal Studios has also been the host of many other rap legends in the recent years.
The engineering mastermind, Boo Mitchell, goes on to develop and record other famous artists as well. He has worked with many artists all the way from, Bruno Mars and Snoop Dogg to Wutang Clan and Snootie Wild. Bruno Mars was probably one of the largest projects to be worked on. Bruno and Mark Ronson were welcomed to Royal Studios to record the popular song, Uptown Funk. Uptown Funk was the top single sold and listened to on iTunes for 2015. The song is even nominated as the “Best Record of the Year” for the 2016 Grammy Awards.
This is an enormous accomplishment for not only Boo Mitchell, but for Royal Studios in general. They are a considerable representation of Memphis music and the true talent that is within the city. There is raw talent coming through the studio each and everyday. Not even a week ago, Boo had a session set up with a Memphis-made rapper, Snootie Wild. During the session, poor weather caused the power to go out at the studio. While everyone was patiently waiting for the power to come back on, Snootie decided that he wasn’t going to let the rain hold him back. With the suave flow of an acoustic guitar, Snootie improvised with a smooth free-style. The room was lit with glowing eyes and smiles from ear to ear. Everyone clapped their hands and stomped their feet for the beat of the song. That moment revealed just how much passion and powerful talent an artist can really have.
— — — — Click this to see Snootie Wild’s improvised performance. — — — —
The future of the rising empire is dependent on the next generation. Boo Mitchell has been teaching his children the lessons of engineering that was passed down to him by his own father. Elijah and Uriah Mitchell are taking what was instilled into them by blood and are working on each of their own projects. They put many hours of the week into the studio by helping, learning, and recording their own clientele. Uriah also is a promising rapper and is working hard on his talent. These two young men are becoming well-known, and are going to do impressive things for the music community.
The two sons have spent many long nights recording and having sessions with different artists at the studio. They have a monopoly within the studio on the increasing number of young artists in Memphis. They are making connections with inspiring artists who want to elevate themselves. Elijah has shown interest in management due to his natural ability to be on schedule and on top of different events as well as pointing out what’s going to be a number one hit and what’s not. Uriah also
known as, Lil Riah, is working on his talent for rapping. He has already made different appearances and has performed at many events. He even has an upcoming Christmas performance at the Hi-tone located in Memphis, Tennessee. He is performing with other artists including: Lil Wyte, Al Kapone, Frayser Boy, Keymoney, Ashton Riker, Young Aj Do It, Tune C, Wala Wyse, Tre$, Tori Whodat, and Hillboy. Elijah and Uriah’s talents run through their veins which were ingrained into them by their own father and grandfather.
The Mitchell’s are music moguls within the Memphis community. It is important for people who live in Memphis to be aware that they are in the presence of a family who is completely invested in ensuring the music community stays alive. They are all products of nothing but hard-work, passion, a dream, and iconic effort. Each one of them are what has made Royal Studios the empire that it is today. I am so thankful and blessed for the opportunity to meet this wonderful family and come to know the mission they live for. Royal Studios will continue to grow as it always has, but will never lose the seed that was planted by legendary Willie Mitchell. This is ultimately what sets them apart from others.
