RockStar

Rockstar started off as bandmates who wrote and performed songs at pep rallies and school assemblies at high school. By senior year, their peers convinced them to take music seriously. Then called “Tru Legacy,” the trio went on to release a song called “The Promise” on YouTube, which went viral in a time before social media was a big deal. Afterwards, they released their inaugural mixtape -- ​The Incubation Period​.

Just as they were gaining traction, the guys had a falling out with their manager, and the label they were signed to collapsed. Through all the adversity, Vibe, Narley, and Xander have remained a united front. Together since 9t​ h​ grade, they’ve learned how to overcome personal and professional obligations. After overcoming the drama, the guys decided to rename themselves Rockstar.

Vibe is the group’s head writer and patriarch, keeping everything intact and everyone motivated. The lead singer, Narley, has the strongest vocal abilities and leads the way in the studio. Xander, the youngest, provides Rockstar with its fire and energy. Truly eclectic, the group doesn’t have a genre. They can sing and rap, and their stage presence is incomparable. Above all, they’re musicians. Vibe is a saxophonist and pianist, while Narley and Xander play drums.

Rockstar draws inspiration from early-2000s heartthrobs like Mario, B2K, and Day 26. These artists inspired them as they were growing up, and their influence is evident in the music Rockstar makes today. They are also fans of homegrown talent like Ryan Leslie, Tank, and newcomer Rico Nasty. They also cite The Beatles as an inspiration – Rockstar intends to wipe their names from the history books by becoming the top-selling group of all time.

Rockstar’s EP ​1401 w​ as released in November. ​1401​ is the address of the original Fairmont Heights High School building where Rockstar first met and made music together. When writing ​1401​, no bar or line was wasted. Some songs took weeks to finish because the guys wanted to make sure they were putting out the best product. They locked themselves in the studio, and battled it out until the project was complete. The results are amazing. Their favorite songs are “Change Positions” – a track that pays homage to Aaliyah, and answers her hit song “Rock The Boat” – and “Broke My Heart,” a song Vibe wrote in high school based on Narley’s real-life experience.

Real musicians and artists will see the genius in what Rockstar does once they hear ​1401​. While bubblegum rap and whichever songs have the most money behind them tend to get a lot of attention, their talent is going to kick down the industry’s doors and gain their peers respect. Rockstar has been doing the leg work and garnered a fan base, but they haven’t garnered much revenue. They are looking to establish themselves as premier artists in the DMV, and then expand outwards.

1401’s​ executive producer, Dave Knocks, has been an amazing coach and helped to mold Rockstar into who they are today. They’ve been otherwise independent and self-managed. They group has had media training, rehearse religiously, and have undergone artist

 development. They’ve performed throughout the DMV – Club Bliss, The Cherry Blossom Festival, and The Fillmore. Now, it’s just a matter of exposure, which is why they want to be an opening act for any artist going on tour. Rockstar’s set is bound to standout.

In the future, Rockstar sees themselves putting out albums regularly, winning tons of Grammys, establishing an entertainment company, and branching out into acting and merchandising (think: action figures and a cartoon series reminiscent of ​1401’s c​ over art). Back in Fairmont Heights, they didn’t have the best equipment to make their music, so they want to go back home and ensure other budding musicians don’t face those same challenges.

To connect with Rockstar, follow them on Instagram (@therockstarway) and Twitter (@TheRockstarWayy).

While the group was in the artist development period, Vibe also wrote music for other groups (namely, ​4EY "The Future,” who had a hit song with “Scoot Over”)