Swaggd' out Boyz

Universal Records and Warner Music Group A&R representatives will be in St. John the Baptist Parish to scout for new talent at "From Da Bottom to Da Top Showcase" on Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. at St. John Theatre, 115 W. Fourth St. in Reserve.

"We are thrilled to come out and discover new talent in Louisiana," said William Brown, vice president of Blackivory Records/Warner Music of Los Angeles.

"I am from the River Parishes, and we have so much talent in Louisiana, especially in our small towns that need to be heard," Brown said. "This showcase will allow artist to shine in front of their families, friends and especially the music labels."

Music from all genres will be showcased at the event. Dancers and models also may show their talent.


















Universal Records and Warner Music Group A&R representatives will be in St. John the Baptist Parish to scout for new talent at "From Da Bottom to Da Top Showcase" on Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. at St. John Theatre, 115 W. Fourth St. in Reserve.

"We are thrilled to come out and discover new talent in Louisiana," said William Brown, vice president of Blackivory Records/Warner Music of Los Angeles.

"I am from the River Parishes, and we have so much talent in Louisiana, especially in our small towns that need to be heard," Brown said. "This showcase will allow artist to shine in front of their families, friends and especially the music labels."

Music from all genres will be showcased at the event. Dancers and models also may show their talent.

Universal and Warner representatives will be looking for people who are serious and passionate about a career in music, Brown said. Their ultimate goal is to discover talent to groom into professional artists.

"Louisiana has a unique sound that brings a good, old-fashion feel back into music," said Celester Gaither, president of Involve Records/ Universal Records of Los Angeles. "I signed the Swaggd' out Boyz out of the River Parishes because their sound is unique. They come with what Universal Records is looking for in our artist."

Brown said while artists may have great songs and a great story to share, they should also have the "wow factor." Establishing a fan base and critically marketing themselves are also very important, Brown said.

Advanced tickets are $10 and $12 at the door. For more information on the showcase, contact Debbie Craighead at 985-917-1459, Donald Melancon at 985-212-1467 or Karrick Carter at 504-307-0055. - Times Picayune-New Orleans

More than 200 people attended the From the Bottom to the Top Showcase Aug. 16 at St. John Theatre in Reserve. on August 16. Several artists from the River Parishes, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans and as far away as Arkansas, California, Indiana, and Kansas performed their original mix of R&B, hip hop and rap.

Among the show's highlight was the Swaggd'out Boyz' 20 minute performance of some of the group's new songs including their single, "Swagg On," which will be released soon on the Universal Label. Corey Lee's performance of Michael Jackson also had the crowd cheering.

"I have been getting lots of calls about the show," said Lorenzo Smith. "The people really enjoyed themselves and can't wait for the next one."

Thaddeaus Victor, who started singing at the age of 5, said made his second musical debut at the St. John Theatre. His first time performing at the theater was when he was a little boy singing Michael Jackson's "Climb Every Mountain." Today, he is known as Skoodah, and he wooed the crowd with his soulful voice singing one of his original songs, "Feel Your Skin."

"It was a great event and an opportunity for people to showcase their talent," said Victor. "You never know when someone from the record labels will come out to look for talent." "I am looking forward to the next one."

Scouts from Universal and Warner Music group attended the event to look for new artists for their labels. Natalie Diamond, a scout for Universal Music Group in Los Angeles, said that she was there to check out the talent because Louisiana has a unique sound and lots of talented artists.

For many of the performers, it was their first time being on stage and experiencing what a showcase is all about.

Next time it will be bigger and better than ever," said Victor. - Times Picayune-New Orleans

Reserve native rappers Donald Melancon, Kerrick Carter and Herman Farlough, known as Swaggd’ out Boyz, will participate in the March It Out concert March 29 in Hollywood, Calif. Unlike some rappers who speak about negative aspects of life, this group's lyrics reflect strength of the mind as well as commercializing songs with corporations.”

“Our CD is about building relationships,” Melancon said. "We made a song called ‘Chevy’ which was sent to Chevrolet. Also, we made a song for the Pelicans basketball team, which is still on the waiting list with other songs to be promoted.”

The group started rapping in high school in 2000. At that time, the group's name was Ghetto Prisonaz, and songs were about life in the streets. A couple of years later, the group changed the name to Swaggd’ out Boyz to focus more on the business of life.

“Rapping has always been a venue for me to express myself,” Carter said. “My inspiration for rap came when I my older brother started rapping on the Buckskin Bill Show back in the 90’s. “He was a regular on the show, and I so wanted to be like him.”

Their music can be found on YouTube as Chevy gang and Facebook under Swaggd’ out Boyz. - Times Picayune-New Orleans