Teenage sensations - African American entertainers

Ebony, Sept, 1992 by Douglas C. Lyons

Success at an early age brings adult-sized perks and problems

With only four years of experience, Tracie Spencer has already accomplished more than most singers twice her age. At 16, she has recorded two hit albums and has completed two series of concert performances including a worldwide tour with the singing group, New Kids on the Block.

Shanice Wilson, whose stage name is Shamee, is another young singer who would be considered a runaway success at any age. Her hit single I Love Your Smile has vaulted into one of the world's most recognized songs, and helped her become the first entertainer to appear on the premiere of The Tonight Show, starring Jay Leno.

But perhaps no other young recording artists have burst upon the musical scene like Kris Kross, a duo of teen rappers who have gone beyond "hot." Their first album, Totally Krossed Out, went gold in just six days and has now sold more than 2 million copies.

Five years ago, these youngsters only dreamed about singing professionally. They performed in local talent shows, shopping malls and on high school stages, emulating the styles of established singers and hoping for the almost unthinkable. Now, they are bonafide stars. Their music dominates the airwaves and video channels. They play to sold-out concert halls. Some of these artists--Spencer, The Boys and Boyz II Men--write their own music.

No wonder that their musical heroes --entertainers who once performed before today's generation of stars were even conceived-are now their peers. Well, sometimes.

"I got a chance to meet Patti LaBelle," says Wanya (Squirt) Morris, a member of Boyz II Men. "It was great. I wanted to sit down and talk about how things go. Although shes a woman and I'm a man, we're both entertainers. I even got a hug

Young talents have always astounded the music world. Sammy Davis Jr., G'ladys Knight, Stephanie Mills, "Little" Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Nancy Wilson are only a few of the entertainment legends who were seasoned performers long before they could legally vote, drive or buy a beer.

While todays young entertainers lack the perks of adulthood, they have enjoyed much of the heady success that comes with achieving stardom in the recording industry.

Boyz II Men, for example, won a Grammy award this year for their debut album, Cooleyhighharmony, which sold more than 4 million copies. Shanices hit single I Love Your Smile vaulted into the top five songs in 10 nations.

Tevin Campbell and Traeie Spencer are also proven young veterans, having already won many fans with several hit records that include pulsating funk and soul stirring ballads.

Onstage these talented youngsters can hold their own against older stars. Their songs sometimes touch on adult subjects, and they can act "grown" during a performance. While their antics may thrill audiences, they are still, well, young, offstage. "I'm not grown," Tevin Campbell says in mock horror. "Although I try to act grown, I ain't grown yet. I still have a long way to go."

Kris Kross is the latest young act to burst upon the recording industry. Discovered two years ago in an Atlanta shopping mall, Chris Kelly, 13, and Chris Smith, 12, have not only dominated the record charts but have also won a huge following by wearing their baggy pants and oversized shirts backwards.

"We had to do something that no one else was doing," Chris Smith says, sounding many years his senior. "People used to say, 'Oh man! They got their clothes on backwards.' But then, they started doing it like mad."

By crossing over into the world of hiphop fashion, the two youngsters have made a statement that can drive most sane adults a little crazv.

"Well, it took a lot to adjust to," says Donna Kelly, Chris' mother. 'They were already wearing their clothes big and baggy. So all they did was turn them around. If you you can adjust to that big goofy look, then the krossed out look isn't that much different."

Despite the success of these teen superstars in a very grown up world, these talented performers remain young at heart. They still enjoy video games, playing basketball, hanging out with friends, watching TV and having an occasional pillow fight in a hotel. At home, they are still responsible for the seemingly mundane chores of young life: homework, cleaning up their rooms, washing the dishes and taking out the garbage.

Even without the normal daily routines, life at the pinnacle of entertainment isn't always glamour and gliterati.

"We go straight to rehearsals and start all over again," says Michael (Base) McCary, who at 19 is one of the older members of Boyz II Men. "It's time to start touring, and people haven't seen us do that yet. When you get to that No. 1 spot, theres no place to go but down. So you try to maintain it."

Maintaining a successful celebrity status is a full-time and very adult job. There are long hours in business meetings, dance rehearsals and recording sessions, which can grind down anyone, especially a gifted youngster whos had a tough day in high school.

Spencer, for example, does her best to maintain an everyday, ordinary adolescent existence. A popular student at her high school in Waterloo, Iowa, she maintains a solid 3.0 average, although she admits to agonizing over her chemistry classes.