Kjae

SI DOES IT AGAIN

In a time when music groups can't seem to stay together, S1, after different incarnations, stays alive and true to making what I call great hip "pop" music. At the most recent installment of "It's MyNite!", the monthly live music series in North Hollywood, CA, their sugary melodies and catchy hooks wowed the audience once again.
With a specialty on "lyrics for the ladies" as well as their unique blend of hard-hitting rap verses and smooth R&B vocals, their whole show is now polished and ready for the big time. The guy's chemistry on stage is undeniable. They move like brothers united and according to the show's host, Larry B. Scott, they are "ready to go".
"Any second now," is what I call them and their supportive following that shows up in droves for every show must think so, too. But, now that they've locked into a formula that works, there is definitely no stopping the success of S1...

Jennifer Washington
Urban Network Magazine, Staff Writer

- Urban Network Magazine

Monday, September 15, 2008
Yucaipa's S1 Competes on MTV's Top Pop Group

Every time I read about MTV I feel oh so old. I can remember when the station launched, back when I was in high school. I didn't see it much, because we didn't have cable. But I did see it occasionally at a friend's house, and believe it or not, all that it showed back in those days was music videos. As far as I can tell, music videos are rare these days, and most of MTV's broadcast hours are filled with "reality" shows. At least one of those shows is music related: MTV'S Top Pop Group.

What's particularly cool is that one of the nine groups competing for the $100,000 prize comes from right here in Yucaipa. The members of the hip-hop/R&B group S1 are Keith "Kjae" Kelsaw, Christian "Traxx" Williams and Shapan "ShayDot" Thomas, and they've been making music together for the past five years. The Press Enterprise did a profile of the band:


"I'm a little nervous about it, but I feel they're going to do great," said Keith Kelsaw Sr., Kjae's father who also manages the group with wife Sonia.

He said the group has evolved over the years from a New Edition type of straight-up R&B to the urban pop sound it has today.

"We've gone through a lot of changes," Kelsaw said.

Kjae sings and Traxx and ShayDot rap. All three write the songs.


S1 got their first taste of fame a couple of years ago when their song "I Found a Girl on MySpace" brought them to the attention of MySpace who featured the group. According to their Top Pop Group bio, their "look" is part of what sets them apart.

On any given day, Traxx, Kjae and Shay Dot can be found sporting their signature collared shirts, ties and sweaters, which they say are a huge hit with the ladies. The boys believe their threads complement their edgy sound, which is a blend of R&B, hip-hop and rap.
So far S1 has survived the first round of elimination. You can watch last week's performance. You can listen to S1's original music on their Myspace profile.

MTV's Top Pop Group airs Thursday nights at 10pm. Watch it and give them your vote.

Tags: Yucaipa, S1, MTV's Top Pop Group
Labels: music, Yucaipans in the news


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posted by Peggy | 6:50 PM | Subscribe
- Around Yucaipa

Yucaipa band goes for 'MTV's Top Pop Group'

10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, September 9, 2008

By VANESSA FRANKO
The Press-Enterprise

Turn on MTV Thursday and keep an eye out for some local faces.

S1, a singing group out of Yucaipa, is one of nine groups selected to compete on the cable network's new show, "MTV's Top Pop Group."

Keith, "Kjae" Kelsaw, Christian "Traxx" Williams and Shapan "ShayDot" Thomas, the members of S1, started as individual artists but formed the group to have a better opportunity to make it in the music business. S1 is made up of two rappers and one singer, with a sound melding hip-hop and R&B.

Story continues below

Special to The Press-Enterprise
Urban pop group S1, out of Yucaipa, is one of nine bands featured on the new MTV competition, "MTV's Top Pop Group," which will start airing Thursday.
"I'm a little nervous about it, but I feel they're going to do great," said Keith Kelsaw Sr., Kjae's father who also manages the group with wife Sonia.

He said the group has evolved over the years from a New Edition type of straight-up R&B to the urban pop sound it has today.

"We've gone through a lot of changes," Kelsaw said.

Kjae sings and Traxx and ShayDot rap. All three write the songs.

A couple of years ago, the group got noticed after doing a song called "I Found A Girl On MySpace." The social networking site loved it and featured the band in its music section.

According to interviews in their audition video, S1 is pushing their clean-cut, stylish image as a way to stand out from the pack on "MTV's Top Pop Group."

Similar to the show "America's Best Dance Crew," the finalists will compete weekly on the show. Mario Lopez, known for his stint on teen comedy "Saved by the Bell," is the show's host.

The groups will compete for a $100,000 prize. Similar to "American Idol," groups will work with supergroups and megastars each week to work on their singing, dancing and overall performance skills before performing live, according to MTV.

The competition's judges are rapper Taboo, singer Michelle Williams and choreographer Brian Friedman. Viewers can vote for their favorites each week.

The show airs at 10 p.m. Thursday on MTV.

Reach Vanessa Franko at 951-368-9575, vfranko@PE.com, www.myspace.com/Audio_File or PE.com/blogs/music
- The Press Enterprise