I was born Mengesha Issac Feseha (fa-say-ha), I am of African-American and Ethiopian descent.  I was adopted and raised Mengesha Issac Francis and I am a native of South Central Los Angeles.   I  am devoted to my wonderful parents, Dorothy and Earnest Francis, who raised me with love, strength and respect.

I am a classically trained pianist who reads, writes and improvises music.  My musical beginning is with the Baptist Church.

I began my piano training at Calvary Christian Elementary.  I continued training and became a music teacher with

Heavenly Vision Christian Music School. 

I graduated from Washington High School in Los Angeles alongside many popular known artists including Yo Yo;

Dazzie Dee, DJ Thump; rapper WC, co-founder of Ice Cube’s Westside Connection; Crazy Toons; Johnny J, music producer; actress Wendy Raquel Robinson (“Something New”); choreographer Fatima (“Dreamgirls”, 2006); and director F. Gary Gray (“Be Cool”), who was in my graduating class of 1989.

During my tenure at Heavenly Vision I founded the Power of Music Children's Choir who made finalists in the Mc Donald's Gospel Fest of 1995.  I began working professionally with seasoned rap and R&B artists and have been a member of The Professional Musicians Union Local 47 since 2000.   Some of my music production work can be found on CDs by DAZZIE DEE: The Rebirth, The Album-1996; (Dazzie Dee aka Big Saccs); THE LUNIZ: Lunitik Muzik-1997; and SQEEK: Da Primadonna, P.M.S.-2001. My upcoming projects include a music CD entitled, NON-FICTION, that I am writing and producing, and an educational CD entitled, SCHOOL TYME HIP-HOP, Volume I, which is also written and produced by me and will include learning techniques through the art of Hip-Hop music.  School Tyme Hip-Hop can also be called "EDUTAINMENT" that is, educating and entertaining children through music.

A PLACE TO BE KING  is also the name of my upcoming memoir written by L.D. Sargent.  It will cover my life and experiences living in South Central L.A. and dreaming of fame.  NOTE:  The title; "A Place to Be King" comes from the Ethiopian meaning of my first name, Mengesha.  The pronunciation of Mengesha is MEN-GEE-SHU.

Thank you for visiting.  MIF

Email me at mif@mengeshamusic.com to subscribe to my monthly upcoming E-newsletter and stay up-to-date on what I’ve been up to.

The newsletter features:

-Upcoming shows

-New songs

-New photos

-My journal and much more!

Website music  courtesy of nusic.download.com.  Mengesha Music coming soon!

Biography