The Howard Theatre and Neo Elite, a local artist management group, have partnered to present the Neo Age Showcase, a bi-monthly show of soul and R&B music, presenting talented rising artists from the D.C. area, the Nation, and around the world.
According to Zeplyn Tillman, founder of the group, the showcase will not only provide lesser known artists with a platform to share their gifts, but also educate and entertain the next generation on R&B and Soul music.
“D.C. culture is so full of amazing musicians and talent,” he told the AFRO on Aug. 28. “And we really wanted to highlight the next generation of soul and R&B talent from the local area and across the country.” Tillman is also the co-creator and executive director of the showcase.
The showcase’s second performance on Sept. 4 will feature vocalists De Angelo Redman; The Amours, a sister-singing-duo specializing in R&B, Gospel, Jazz, Pop and Classical music styles; Rob Milton; and Tangina Stone. The first performance of Neo Age showcased artists including, Reesa Renee, Aaron Camper, BOOMscat and ShaMain in July. Tillman said he plans to expand the show to other cities such as Baltimore, Philadelphia and Charlotte, North Carolina. A percentage of the proceeds from each showcase will be donated to Critical Exposure, a local organization that trains youth to use photography and advocacy to make change in their schools and communities.
“A lot of people, more between 80s, late 90s, grew up on soul R&B music, now there’s a void,” he said referencing that the area has a rich musical culture that produced artists like Genuine, Missy Elliott and Toni Braxton.
Tillman said that he hopes the showcase will not just replicate past hits, but draw inspiration from R&B and soul music. He said he hopes the show can serve as a platform to premiere artists from the D.C., Maryland and Virginia areas.
He said that the partnership’s goal was really to provide a platform where less well-known artists could perform to gain some of the opportunities and luxuries that the popular artists get. Tillman referred to the music industry as mirroring the economy. He said that only about 1 percent of artists get premier venues or tour dates, much like wealth disparities between the top 10 percent of Americans that hold a majority of the wealth in the country.
The basis for the show was heavily influenced by the long-running television program Showtime at the Apollo, resembling its amateur style competition with a “One Minute Mic” competition, where four artists – found on social media – compete on stage, without instrumentals, in two rounds, one for 30 seconds and the other for a minute.
“The crowd absolutely enjoys that piece, because you don’t expect it,” Tillman said. “We like to surprise people.”
In an email, a spokesperson for The Howard Theatre told the AFRO,“Not only does idea of spotlighting new and local talent provide a unique experience four our patrons, but we have been impressed by the producer’s work ethic and passion to bring something different to the table.”
Music news publication YouKnowIGotSoul as well as GypsySoul Entertainment, House Studios, Pepsi and Dolce Liquor are also partners of the showcase.
To purchase tickets for showcase or for more information, visit neoageshowcase.com.