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School should be so cool.
Mike Rollwagen's classroom at East Hill Christian Academy was the unlikely setting for an all-day rap video shoot last Saturday.
The Bible and speech teacher's teen-friendly room, decorated floor to ceiling with posters, street signs and CDs, was crammed with camera equipment, nervous extras, an energetic film crew and three special students.
The students -- DeAndre Jones, DeShawn Jones and Dyllon Burnside -- seemed unfazed by the whirl of activity surrounding them, probably because the three, who make up local rap group 3D, have spent years in or near the spotlight.
DeAndre and DeShawn, 14, are the identical twin sons of Pensacola boxer and musician Roy Jones Jr. The two brothers teamed up with their 17-year-old cousin Dyllon to form a rap/hip-hop group for Body Head Entertainment a few years ago.
"We were always messing around in the recording studio, just for fun, when our dad was working on stuff," said DeShawn, also known as "DJ." "We used to watch him, and then we started making our own music."
"It was never a big plan or anything, that we become musicians," said Dyllon, or "D." "It was just something we started for fun, and over the years, it's grown from that."
The three teens, all students at East Hill Christian Academy's high school, have come a long way since those days of carefree goofing.
The trio now spend hours in the studio writing lyrics, polishing rhymes and working with local producers to perfect their sound, all while juggling academic responsibilities and basketball practice. They've gained recognition and confidence with a series of successful live performances and have received radio air play across the Southeast with their test single, "My Show."
"I love being on stage. That's the best part of it for me," said DeAndre, "Dre." "We're up there having fun, and that's how we want our audiences to feel."
The teens, known for their profanity-free music, chose their school as the location to shoot a video for "3D Party," a single from their debut album, "Boys Will Be Boys," that will be released in June. The single, which features a catchy bass line and sample of Little Stevie Wonder wailing, "Say, yeah," had the entire crew humming and tapping their feet.
"I can't get it out of my head," joked producer Jason Blanchard, one of the crew members in town for the shoot from Full Sail College in Orlando. "I'll be singing this for days."
The classroom-themed shoot featured a number of 3D's friends, including members of the Woodham High School cheerleading team, plus several extras who showed up after hearing about it on local radio stations.
Juan Gutierrez earned a spot in the video by winning a dance competition/casting call at local night spot, Club Dimensions.
"This is pretty cool," said the Woodham High School student, who practiced moves in the school's hallway while waiting his turn before the cameras. "But it takes a lot longer than I expected."
For Dre, the shoot was fun, but nothing new.
"I'm pretty used to it by now, because I grew up watching my dad make videos," he said. "I had a good time at this one, though. Our director had a lot of energy."
The video, once post-production is completed, will be offered to major entertainment businesses such as Disney and BET for broadcast.
In the meantime, Dre, DJ and D are getting ready to embark on a six-week nationwide tour of high schools, beginning in April.
"We're ready to have a good time," said DJ, who looked forward to showing off his dance moves before audiences. "We've got something for everybody." - Rebecca Ross
3D, a local teen rap trio from Pensacola, ripped through the stage like a hurricane. The energetic group brought impressive talent and striking lyrics to the stage of Teen Night. Their originality and energy is a testament to their remarkable capabilities.
3D performed a stunning stage show. Their presence was felt as teens danced in the packed crowd.
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Fudpucker’s Teen Night has proven to be one of the most successful teen events yet for Fudpucker’s in Destin. Fudpucker's, Inc. is locally owned and operated since 1982; shareholders are Chester Kroeger, Tim Edwards and Michael Frey.
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- Jeremy Chochran
Discography
"That's Right" is the first single. The single will be solicited to Stations all over the Southeast Region during 1st Quarter. We plan to promote and do shows all over the US. We are planning a middle/high school tour, performing the single "That's Right" and creating a buzz, which will lead up to a 3rd Quarter Release.
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Bio
"Transitions" and that's exactly the make up, attitude and position of Body Head Entertainments teen hip hop trio. They have witnessed that in order for a team to win, each player has to know his role and execute it well. 3D, a remarkable teen-aged hip hop trio made up of DeAndre pka Dre, DeShawn pka DJ and Dyllon pka D.
Each of the members lends a special energy to the group, Dre is the laid-back rapper with stunning lyrics, DJ brings excitement and energy to the crew and D has an animated yet grounded approach that is somewhere in the middle and balances each of his partners-in-rhyme. Impressive lyricism, hyped stage show and looks that make their young female fans scream, is what keeps their fan base growing.
Truth be told, it is the bond 3D has that makes the groups music and shows so potent. Two of the members are twins, and they round off the trio with their cousin.
Its a family thing, says Dre, Weve been around each other all of our lives, so flowing comes natural. I know what DJ is thinking before he says anything, and he knows what D is going to do, it all works together.
The group is transitioning, and on their album they have songs like That's Right, a lively cut inspired by the groups love for having fun. Another stand out cut is Rockin Jordans, a classic dance song with a crunk twist. The trio says "its a song about some of the outfits we rock." Instead of making it lazy, were getting crunk and it makes people feel like theyre teenagers. Their music is a fresh change from what is being heard across the airwaves, because its uplifting and profanity free.
Indeed, one listen to 3D and it is obvious that this Pensacola, Florida-based group knows how to make music that fans of all ages will enjoy. We like to do whatever it takes to have fun, D explains. Our album is gonna be a lot of fun stuff because thats what were about. Were about enjoying, entertaining, and living in the moment.
As 3D works on completing its album, they already know the significance of their uplifting, profanity-free music. I think people will respond more to that type of thing than hearing depressing stuff, D says. Were trying to set an example for other kids, Dre adds. We like to rap about being respectful, having fun and playing sports, we want to make people feel welcome, DJ remarks.
And "3D" does just that.
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