Jenkins and Mickens Vie for Record Deal

By Veronica Jones

Jasmine Mickens and William "Al" Jenkins won the WKYS-sponsored concert and talent contest organized by McKinley-based M2O. The winners are both seniors here at MTHS. BlastBeat Records will fly the winners to New York in May to compete again for a record deal with the company.

The rules were that each performer had to present their own original work. Mickens won with her songs, "You" and "Over Again." Jenkins's rap pieces were "Livin' Blind" and "Guide from Inside."

Other performers included rappers, singers, a duo, a group, hype-men, and in one case back-up dancers. There were six artists present. Proceeds went to charities for St. Jude's Medical center and M2O Records.

There were three judges who critiqued: Ruici from the BlastBeat recording company, Baby Girl of PTP, and DeAngelo from MTV's "Making the Band 4". After each performance, each judge gave words of either encouragement or improvement. When the winners were announced, the audience burst into thunderous applause. The winners were ecstatic.

"I cannot believe this," said Mickens. "Dreams really do come true!"

"This is incredible," said Jenkins. "Events like this push you to go farther and to do more in life."

Not only were the winners pleased, but the audience was pleased as well.

"I'm proud that McKinley finally had the chance to represent," said Imani Clay, 12th-grader. "There's no better feeling than to have not one, but TWO, Class of '08 winners!"

By Anna Kinsman |  March 10, 2008; 8:37 AM ET News
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