By: Knox Graham
 
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The 2013 edition of the Grammys had a face and a voice that some Mississippians were already familiar with several years ago.
 
Steve Sudduth, a 2002 graduate of Tupelo High School, sang the song “Stay” with Rihanna Sunday night on stage in which he is featured.
 
He’s now known as Mikky Ekko to fans that know his music.
 
Originally born in Shreveport, his family moved to Mississippi when his father became a preacher around the age of seven according to his biography on his website www.mikkyekko.com.
 
After graduating from Tupelo High School he wound up in Nashville doing different gigs and jobs to stay afloat.
 
In 2010 he caught his first break after posting some of his solo work online and it caught the attention of Michael Volpe (Clams Casino), an acclaimed hip-hop producer who has worked with some serious talent across the country.
 
Sudduth was invited to New York by Volpe to do some work together and resulted in his first debut single, “Pull Me Down” the day before Halloween in 2012.
 
That very next month he caught his second break by being featured in Rihanna’s song “Stay” on her “Unapologetic” album.  “Stay” later became a single, which has hit charts in several countries including Ireland, Scotland, and New Zealand.
 
Sudduth has an album impending that he’s been working on with Volpe that includes collaborations with Paul Epworth, Dave Sitek, John Hill, and Justin Parker according to The Guardian.
 
You can watch his Grammy performance from Sunday night here.