Sacramento, CA has long been a fertile ground, especially for Hip Hop, and for UBO MAG, one artist has consistently stood out in this vibrant scene: the multifaceted Harvey Mitchell Jr., better known to his people as Nytelife – a Hip Hop recording artist, accomplished music producer, podcast king and dedicated family man.
Mitchell’s journey began in the Bay Area, in the Oakland suburbs, where the burgeoning local Hip Hop scene became the very soundtrack to his formative years. He connected with an older crowd, gaining access to memorable shows featuring artists like Ant Banks and Celly Cell, among others. By 1995, shortly after finishing high school, the young adult Mitchell began his own rapping career. His early influences heavily leaned towards the innovative sounds of the Hieroglyphics super crew, celebrated for their annual Heiro Day events, alongside iconic figures like Too Short, the influential group, The Click among others.
In his early days, Mitchell, now known as Nytelife, would visit his sister, Pleshette Adkins, a talented singer with credits in groups like Mack Lew, Cydal, The Gov, Big Mac and AK. It was through his brother-in-law, Maurice Gilkey who stepped in to create beats out of necessity, that a young Nytelife began to grasp fundamental songwriting elements like song structure, crafting memorable hooks, and understanding cadence – crucial skills that would shape his artistry.
“They asked me to write a 16 and I didn’t know what that was. Teaching me that structure allowed me to learn top write and rhyme. At first, I was trash – I thought I was gonna be the first Spice1; to learn the elements and how to actually write was really important.” Nytelife remembers. As he continued on, he was understudies of a duo known as PenState, Geo and the late producer Mike Science.
Nytelife’s foray into the group dynamic began with the formation of Ovaseeahz on Dream 21 Records, brought to life through the addition of Saynt Francis. Nytelife played a crucial role in honing their songwriting skills and recording process. Ovaseeahz went on to release “Representing Hip Hop” in 1999 and “Zero Tolerance” produced by himself and E.Period in 2000. A significant early milestone was their performance at the Project Blowed in Los Angeles, CA, a venue Nytelife reverently refers to as “hallowed ground,” sharing the stage with notable artists like the Slum Lords, Aceyalone and also The A-Team (Aceyalone and Abstract Rude), Haiku D’Etat, Freestyle Fellowship among many more. Their burgeoning success was further fueled by their collaboration with Van “Go” O’Bryan, which led to an appearance on Third Eye Collective’s Comcast show, broadcast from Sacramento, CA and how Nytelife and UBO MAG met each other.
Early Works: Hip Hop Group Ovaseeahz Albums
“RePresenting Hip Hop” (1999)
“Zero Tolerance” (2000)
Nytelife’s venture into the world of podcasting commenced in 2017 with the launch of “Tent City Radio,” a foundational show that thoughtfully transitioned into the more dynamic “Whut? Thee Podcast!” by 2018. Nytelife looked into podcasting to see what it was all about because “it looked like fun,” he said.This evolved platform became a vibrant space for Nytelife, alongside his co-hosts Sandman, iamSam, and The Godfather, to delve into hip-hop culture, current news, and social issues, offering their distinctive and often insightful perspectives.
Expanding his reach within the industry, Nytelife further launched “4BarLoop,” in that same year, 2018 – an interview series meticulously crafted to spotlight emerging talent across the diverse spectrum of arts, entertainment, music, and business. This show, providing a platform for guests to share their unique experiences and insights, quickly garnered popularity, becoming a favored vehicle for UBO ENT clients to gain exposure from 2020 to 2024.
“I was nervous but really excited to be interviewed by Nytelife, talking about balancing work and family but since we had already created a rapport with him, it more or less felt like chatting with a friend of whom was trying to get to know me better.” Aaris A. Schroeder, EOC of UBO MAG shared. “We talked shop about how I ran UBO MAG and ENT while Nytelife engaged with me like we were just having a responsible conversation.”
In 2020, The Gauntlet Beat Battle, an online live stream, literal beat battle was founded by Sandman, Linz Prag and Nytelife himself and currently runs every Thursday at 5 PM (PST), 8 PM (EST).
“Having the opportunity to talk about things going on [from] entertainment about Hip Hop and having fun was the most attractive thing to me and also [it is] a vulnerable place to talk about things [that] I go through – this is why I have it.” Nytelife explains.
Recognizing the increasing mental health challenges within his community and beyond, Nytelife further expanded his podcasting portfolio with “The Plain Black Rapper Podcast.” This commentary-driven show provided a vital and dedicated platform for open discussions on mental well-being and navigating life’s complexities, offering a crucial outlet during a time marked by widespread anxiety and depression.
And Nytelife’s ventures into podcasting have not only amplified his music but also deepened his connection with his community. His newest addition, “Follow The Leader Podcast,” debuted in 2024, further expanding his audio footprint.
Most Satisfying Podcast | What? Thee Podcast!!
Most Successful Podcast & Great Feedback and Fanbase | The Gauntlet Beat Battle
All of Nytelife’s podcast content, including “Whut? Thee Podcast!,” “The Plain Black Rapper Podcast” and “4BarLoop” is now consolidated under the Mitchell Media Review umbrella. Listeners are encouraged to tune in, rate, review and download current and previous dynamic episodes. Being able to have content out there, allows Nytelife to build his brand as he experiences what it is like managing and operating a podcast show (or several of them).
“The key to interviewing people is to do your research on who they are and what they do – do your homework. Play to their strengths; no one wants to be caught off-guard. I am here to make you look good! I want people to love what we are doing here [for them]. I want you to be comfortable.” Nytelife shares his podcasting process.
Tent City Recordings emerged from the vision of creating a collaborative local music entity encompassing music writing, production, publishing, and distribution, spearheaded by Nytelife and producer Sandman who contributed by producing beats, while Nytelife focused on his rhymes. They initially operated under the moniker The Tent City Titans. However, when Sandman enlisted in the military, the record company’s operations were temporarily placed on hold, though the idea never faded. The vision gained renewed momentum when ‘90s Sacramento radio personality, event host and barber shop owner Rick Famous, introduced Mike Stange to John Dough and Nytelife.
Mike Stange was depicted as a raw and authentic rapper. Given Nytelife’s existing studio work with John Dough, the addition of another artist was instrumental in officially launching Tent City Recordings in 2013. Nytelife provided guidance to both Strange and Dough on songwriting, recording techniques and integrating sample elements. This collaborative effort led to significant opportunities, including opening performances for Dru Down, Too Short and other artists. Upon Sandman’s return from his military service, the core team moved forward with the formation of their LLC, Tent City Records and welcomed J.o and Hope and Shayn the Rapsmith to the record company.
“We used to go out and perform with our Tent City t-shirts on. You would think it was super corny or maybe you were attracted to it. We knew we would become a spectacle (and that was the idea). By the time we started rocking, we gained the crowd. We also had our own merch table at all of our events.” Nytelife remembers Tent City Recordings from the beginning when they used to teach their artists stage presence which includes how they performed and what they were adorned in.
Nytelife continues his musical journey, working on videos while eagerly anticipating Tent City Recordings next chapter. His studio is his domain, equipped with ProTools for recording, mixing, and mastering, alongside Ableton Live for sample manipulation and groove creation. He fondly recalls his early production days with a cracked version of Fruity Loops, sampling legends like Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. His experience also includes using Cakewalk, Nuendo, and Hip Hop EJ. This deep production knowledge, combined with a natural mentoring spirit, has been key to the development of Tent City Recordings and its artists.
CURRENT MUSIC
“New Media” Single
“This song taps into where we are at now with a Trump Whitehouse – I have to be able to express this. He was ending DEI on MKL was a blow to my heart” – Nytelife
“C4” Album- Aggressive Hip Hop + skill level
“We wanted raw shit, not just doing run of the mill – everything is based on beats, bars, skill level, sampling. Working with artists and producers such as Izrell (from Oakland), Po Mack (Virginia), Saynt Francis (Ovaseeaz) rocked on a track too” – Nytelife
“I Just Wanna Rhyme”
“Gritty rap song with call-and-response” – Nytelife
Back to the music – Nytelife has five albums, including “Drama Class” (2015), “Iridescence” (2019) “Nothin’ Given. Much Expected.” (2021), “The Beautifully Colored Dreamer” (2023) and his newest release, “C4” (2024). Nytelife isn’t letting off either, he still has two unreleased projects, “The Gallery” and “Real Life Rap” to be released in the near future.
“If you are doing production, find someone to emulate – find a producer of whom you like a lot of their shit. There is nothing wrong with that because you need a base point,” Nytelife shares that he graduated from LA Film School in 2017, “Learning how to use the tools so you can get to be able to branch out. Try to master that so you can be proficient in creating music. If you are trying to be all-encompassing: learn how to write, record, mix, master – so when you are trying to tell someone how to shoot your [music] video, you can ‘speak videographer’ to get the vision across. When you are learning to mix and master, that takes a lot of understanding, studying, listening…”
Live performance fuels Nytelife, a passion developed through years of intimate shows. He learned that Sacramento and Bay Area crowds demand engagement, shaping his interactive stage presence with call-and-response. He remembers when he opened for Too Short at Ace of Spades, complete with custom gear, vividly showcased his ability to captivate audiences.
He’s currently crafting “The Reconstruction Era,” a deeply personal album reflecting on his journey in music and family, collaborating with producers like D-Ski The Illeagle, Nytro, RTO and Sandman. Coordinating this interview revealed his dedication to fatherhood, actively supporting his busy family life with his remaining two of five children.
“We just hang out. They grown! I don’t try to be too intrusive. I tell them ‘I need love’ and they will come play boardgames or go to the movies. [We] go to Six Flags [and other] things that are fun.” Nytelife shares his home life with UBO MAG, stating that Superbowl is a big deal in his house.
The longevity of Hip Hop is dependent on innovation, according to Nytelife. For artists with established fanbases, a compelling project offering significant value will likely be embraced and remembered. Therefore, such endeavors should be pursued. Nytelife also emphasizes the importance of proactive engagement and continuous learning for aspiring independent artists.
“I think that the most important thing is to bump your head on shit and find mentors, older folks to listen to and learn from – even if you [already] know the information. Get in a position to network and present yourself well. Getting [together] in those relationships help you to do so much more. Your talent won’t always win. Treat people the way they wanna be treated and be a trusted brand.” Nytelife mentors the inner-musical talent.
Nytelife advises young emcees to embrace the learning process, even if it involves missteps, and to actively seek guidance from experienced mentors. Furthermore, he explains that building a strong professional network and treating others with respect are highlighted as crucial elements often overlooked, stressing that talent alone isn’t always the deciding factor in career progression.
Links & Things
Mitchell Media Review (Spotify)
Mitchell Media Review (Youtube)
Mitchell Media Review (IG)
The Gauntlet Beat Battle (Linktr.ee)
Nytelife Music
Bandcamp
Spotify
Nytelife Socials
Instagram
Facebook
