Myster Su’a
Saimasina Su’a (professionally known as Myster Su’a) is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was born and raised in Independence, Missouri, and grew up with three older brothers. His parents immigrated to the United States from Western Samoa in 1963. They started in Santa Anna, then on to Salt Lake City, Utah, finally moving to Independence, Missouri.
Music has always been a part of his life as he comes from a long line of musicians and composers. In fact, his great uncle Kipeni Su’a helped translate many LDS hymns for the Samoan hymnbook during the early to mid-1900s. He is a singer/songwriter having spent four years in Europe developing and honing his talents. He became an established artist while in Europe when a single that he wrote and recorded in 1999 for the benefit of the refugees in Kosovo went Gold. Since that time he has written and recorded several genres of music including Jazz, Blues, Reggae, Hip Hop, and Country.
His father was the choir conductor at church and as a young boy growing up with three older brothers, he and his brothers were taught how to harmonize and often sang at church. Learning how to play an instrument was also mandatory. He recalls, “I remember coming home one day from school at age 9 and my mother saying very nonchalantly, ‘You have a piano lesson today.’ Though very unexpected, I am so thankful she took that time to take me to those lessons.”
Myster Su’a started writing music when he was 15 years old. Throughout high school, he sang in a quartet. When auditions for the talent show ShowTime at the Apollo came to Kansa City, Missouri, the group tried out and won the first night that they were on. They were able to obtain management through the show and eventually signed a five-year, five-album contract with BMG Records. After high school, he and three of his very close friends toured Europe for two years. The group had a #19 hit on the European Billboards, and later went on to earn a Gold record with a single that he wrote in 1999 for the refugees in Kosovo called “Last Stand.” The group’s careers came to an end after two years in Europe as their management team slowly began falling apart.
Shortly after returning home, at the age of 23, Saimasina put in his paperwork to serve a two-year full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the Hamburg Germany mission. He describes his mission as being one of the best times of his life as he was able to use his God-given talents as he toured almost every city of the mission presenting musical firesides. Since returning from his mission in 2003, he has continued to write music.
He released a gospel album in 2012 shortly after he was married. On 1 June 2016, he released his first music video on his YouTube channel called “Before I Die.” He states that the song reflects his feelings about fatherhood. He is the father of four children. In the description of the video, he remarks, “I am so thankful for two loving parents that taught me the importance of family. Were it not for them I could never truly appreciate and love the family I have now.” He further comments, “My lifestyle got turned upside down but in the best way possible. I had been writing love songs for most of my life but never like “Before I Die.” One day, out of the blue, my wife suggested I get more personal with my writing and to share something with a little more substance and “Before I Die” was born.”
Saimasina says that as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which is a family based faith, it was easy to find the lyrics for this song. His faith has allowed him to love the way that he does because of an eternal perspective on family. The song is about how important this experience on earth is – to make memories with the ones we love and hold dear and to make every moment we have with our families something special. He further comments in the description of the video, “Life is too short to miss out on the time you have to say how much you care and love.”
About his new music video “Before I Die,” he also said that it was fun to put together, but a bit nerve-racking at the same time. However, “My intentions with this song were to express my love and gratitude to my little family. To my kids, that remind me of how fragile this life can be. That I too once had big dreams and to hold on to them. To my wife Patricia Tavares Su’a that loves me like NO woman ever could. For pushing me even when times are good and praying with me when I’m down.”
Saimasina Su’a is a multi-talented singer and composer who is destined to do great things with his music. You can listen to the full version of his new song “Before I Die” and other tracks by going to his Soundcloud page. An acoustic version is also available on iTunes.
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Myster Su’a Expresses Importance of Family in New Music Video
This week’s “Video Find of the Week” features a music video by Saimasina Su’a (professionally known as Myster Su’a). The song that he sings called “Before I Die” is a powerful message to us all of just how important family should be. In the description of the video...