‘The Rookies’: Local singer wants to help other performers

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September 16, 2012

‘The Rookies’: Local singer wants to help other performers

By Latasha Everson/The Tifton Gazette CNHI The Tifton Gazette Sun Sep 16, 2012, 12:27 AM EDT

TIFTON — A local young and talented singer/songwriter wants to give back by helping to embrace other talented young artists in the community.

Tashan Stewart, 21, is originally from Orlando, Fla., and has opened up for artists such as Ace Hood, Plies and Ice Berg from Miami, Fla. He moved to Tifton two years ago to help his mother and has been here ever since.

Tifton may be more of a southern town compared to Orlando, Fla., but Stewart learned quickly that there’s a lot of talent here, which he felt was being overlooked.

Therefore, this led to him creating “The Rookies," along with his best friend Van Jackson, 21, who is a rapper and dancer/choreographer, and 21-year-old dancer Derrick Jones.

Stewart explained that “The Rookies,” which he describes as a brand name, came about because of a line in a verse that he used in one of his songs, was started in an effort to recruit local underrated artists and to help promote their talent.

He noted that he also calls himself “Rookie Tashan.” He said they started recruiting singers three months ago by picking some of them up from watching YouTube.

“I have seen young talent here,” he said. “I just want to give back. I never had the opportunity like they have.”

Stewart said he never thought that he would be doing music, but he’s “just chasing the dream.”

There are currently three Rookies — Tarique Howard, 15, and 18-year-old twins Destiny and Chasity Byrd.

Stewart said Howard and the twins already had names for themselves, he’s just helping to develop them as artists by utilizing all aspects of music.

“The Rookies brand will help bring out the talented people who get overlooked,” he stated.

He said Howard and the twins were excited to work under the Rookies brand. He stated that he and his friends spoke to the young teenagers’ parents, who were very supportive. He also noted that they held a pool party to promote the three singers. Although it rained, they had a great turnout with over 40 people showing up.

He said Howard and the twins are promoting themselves on Facebook as well.

“We’re hoping to take the Rookies as far as it goes. If the brand becomes a production company, so be it,” Stewart said. “Right now, it’s a brand to give back. We’re not trying to recruit the whole town. We want to take this seriously.”

He added that he saw that Howard and the twins had “that drive.” He said they had to drop some people from the brand because they weren’t taking it seriously.

“Anyone affiliated with the brand, these are the kids who are hungry for it,” Stewart stated. “We only ask them to be loyal to the brand. There are no contracts.”

He said Howard and the twins are not a group. They’re individual artists who have a solid fan base. The twins work together and call themselves “Fujoin.”

His plans are to have them do volunteer work to give back to the community, and also to say, “it’s OK to express yourself through music.”

Stewart described the three singers’ style of music as contemporary R&B.

“They’re hardworking, passionate and eager,” he said. “They believe in us helping them.”

He stated that they are currently paying out of pocket to promote the three singers. He said Harry King of King’s Productions is currently helping to sponsor them by giving them studio time because he recognized their hard work.

Stewart said this has been a blessing, because he’s been mainly recording out of his house. He stated that they’re looking for more sponsors and to work with local organizations.

“The sponsorship helps,” he said.

He noted that they will be releasing a Rookies mixed CD Sept. 21. He and Jackson will also be featured on the CD.

“A lot of people will be surprised with it,” Stewart said.

Also, he stated that they’re designing promotional Rookies T-shirts and are working on other projects.

Stewart may have never thought that he would be involved in music, but he says he enjoys what he’s doing and is passionate about it, as well as Jackson, who stated, “I’ve always been about business.”

Stewart said when he, Jackson and Jones were invited to perform at a talent show at Eighth Street Middle School, they saw the effect of their music and decided to embrace their talent and help other young artists. They work under local management, PTO (Playtime is Over).

They hope to branch out to other surrounding areas, but currently, their focus is on local artists.

For more information, contact Stewart at sdorian52@yahoo.com.

To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.

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