Beating back violence

Growing up on the 1900 block of Mifflin Street, Taj Whitaker has seen people get shot. At the tender age of 15, the South Philadelphia High sophomore already has lost three friends to gun violence.

Moved by the street crime scarring his Point Breeze neighborhood, Whitaker began rapping in elementary school. He loves music, but the tunes also were a vehicle for his anti-violence message.

"It hurts. It hurts. I get mad at the fact that it goes on," he said of the young lives snuffed out by bullets.

Whitaker is one of 16 finalists — five of whom hail from South Philly — who will perform at Saturday’s "Drop the Guns and Stop the Violence" talent competition and concert, 5 to 9 p.m. at Electric Factory, Seventh and Willow streets. The American Idol-style contest will feature judges from the music industry, including top rap label Roc-A-Fella Records.

The North Philly-based Institute for the Development of African-American Youth Inc. is sponsoring the event, which will showcase local talent while raising awareness and funds for its programs aimed at inner-city children.

A native of Trinidad, Archye Leacock founded IDAAY in May 1991, along with Steven T. Robinson. The pair wanted to respond to the needs of at-risk youths in the Philadelphia area.

About 90 percent of shooting and homicide victims in the United States are African-American males, said Leacock. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, homicide is the leading cause of death among black males ages 15-34.

Last year, IDAAY served 1,325 students in Philadelphia and Montgomery counties. Almost half of those students hailed from South Philly and Southwest.

A former IDAAY student came up with the idea for an anti-violence concert. The organization then decided that hip-hop would be the best medium in which to communicate its message.

"Young people love to rap. They listen to Power 99 and 103 constantly," Leacock said. "One of the best ways to get the message about violence and non-violence out is to rap about violence. They identify with this stuff."

The response from the target audience has been strong.

Whitaker’s local competition includes a sibling rap duo, Taylor2, comprised of Williemae Taylor, 19, and brother Jasper Taylor, 17, of the 2400 block of South Orkney Street. Jasper attends Furness High School. The siblings recently moved to the area from Texas with their mother.

Two female soloists round out the local talent pool.

Basheemah Brown, 17, who attends Audenried High School and lives on the 2700 block of Daly Terrace, has been singing since the ripe old age of 2.

A straight-A student and senior at South Philadelphia High, Jessica Benson, 18, has spent most of her life in Philadelphia’s foster care system. Last summer, Benson was reunited with her aunt, with whom she lives on the 1900 block of South 16th Street.

The teen has been singing since age 14, when she joined her church choir in Trenton, N.J. Later this year, she will release her first CD of original gospel music, which she hopes will be the first step on her path to a singing career.

"To sing for the Lord — that’s what I want to do," she said.

For Whitaker and Benson, Saturday’s concert is the perfect forum to showcase their talent and help spread the anti-violence message.

"That’s why I’m competing in this show — to make a difference," Whitaker said. "My whole thing is if we can all live good, we won’t have to worry about this. I do my best to get this message across."

Benson also hopes to strike a chord with her peers.

"It’s a good feeling because I get to show off my skills and be able to reach out to younger people to be involved in spreading the anti-violence message," she said.

All 16 finalists will sing, rap or dance for a record deal in front of judges from Roc-A-Fella Records and Bad Boy Entertainment Worldwide, as well as other industry professionals.

Kia Whitehead, daughter of R&B; singer/songwriter John Whitehead, who helped popularize The Sound of Philadelphia, is also a judge. John Whitehead was fatally shot last year while working on his car in West Philly.

In keeping with the anti-violence theme, vocalists are prohibited from cursing and denouncing women in their songs, Leacock said.

The concert portion of the "Drop the Guns and Stop the Violence" event will feature performances by Cash Money Millionaires recording artist Lil Wayne. Hip-hop stars Freewa, Peedi Crakk, Omillio Sparks from Roc-A-Fella Records, E-Ness from Bad Boy Entertainment and Gillie da Kid from Figgas 4 Life Entertainment also will entertain the crowd.

Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door.

Finalists for the talent show were selected from 200 high-school and college students across Philadelphia, central Pennsylvania and South Jersey. Auditions took place from September through December at a Center City hotel, said Sandi Ramos, IDAAY’s director of administration.

Thrilled to be one of the lucky 16, Whitaker has been rehearsing his number daily inside his Point Breeze home. But he’s keeping mum about just what that number will be, revealing only that it’s an original song. Influenced by G-Unit, Jay-Z and Tupac Shakur, the teen believes he will have to work hard to be noticed Saturday.

"I gotta be different from everybody else and that’s what I’m planning to bring to the table," he said. "I’m ready!"

Benson, who has been rehearsing religiously, also is prepared for Saturday’s concert. "I want to be able to stay on point — be focused. I have been practicing a lot," she said.

The teen will perform Tender Mercies, a cut from her forthcoming gospel album.

For IDAAY staff and the youths they serve, the motto "Drop the Guns and Stop the Violence" is personal.

Over the last two years, the organization has lost two staff members to violence and about five of its students are slain each year, said Leacock.

"Our percentage is higher because of the population we work with," the director explained.

Earlier this month, IDAAY again buried one of its own — Jeffrey Stiles, 17, who was shot to death in West Philly.

"This definitely hits home for us," Ramos said.

"Too many of our youths are dying needlessly," added Leacock. My hope is to attract media attention to assist in getting the word out about our collaborative efforts in Philadelphia as we make it clear that any violence — in particular gun violence — is not necessary and that everyone has something positive to contribute towards solving this problem."

Though IDAAY fights to save youths from the dangers they face while growing up, the organization also is looking ahead, Leacock said.

"We are working to save lives. But even more, to give them hope and give them skills."

Tickets for the "Drop the Guns and Stop the Violence" concert are available through any Ticketmaster outlet, by phone at 215-336-2000 or online at www.cc.com.