Every now and then, destiny can assemble individuals and lead them down a positive path in a spontaneous fashion. Many times, life goals are not totally figured out until a person matures and becomes an adult. However, in the world of arts and music, an innate passion shapes that life endeavor from the beginning. In New Orleans, several talented individuals have dedicated themselves to professional crafts since adolescent years. Globally, one can find several eager African-American males with ambition and a burning desire to find a better way out from areas where crime, poverty, and lack of opportunity are inevitable.
The Heat Magazine now unveils a group of young men professionally known as The Tainerz.
Named for what they do best, “entertain,” New Orleans trio, The Tainerz are on a mission to bring their blend of bounce, R&B, and rap to the world stage.
Comprised of 14-year-old Dallas Burke, 16-year-old Travon “T-Daddie” Mitchell and 17-year-old David “Deelö” Rayford, the Tainerz all hail from the same New Orleans East neighborhood – an area the boys all credit for helping to shape their sound while also motivating them to aspire for more. Each member of The Tainerz brings a little something different to the table, but they have plenty in common, including musical roots. Both of Deelö’s parents danced and performed, T-Daddie’s mother was a singer and Dallas counts his older brother Antoine as a major source of motivation, along with his mother and grandmother.
With a crown of colorful dreadlocks, jewelry draping his neck and ears and embellished jacket, jeans and kicks, Deelö is hard to miss. He can’t remember a time when he didn’t dream of stardom and has been singing and dancing in talent shows since he was little, often winning the top prize for his rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It”. The choreographer of the crew, Deelö played drums in both marching and jazz band in junior high and met T-Daddie while they were both enrolled in school at Kipp Believe College Prep. The pair bonded over their love for skateboarding, music and dancing and decided to form a group.
T-Daddie played the drums faithfully at his church and passed up on paid gigs to pursue his career with the Tainerz. With his slender frame and genuine interest in fashion, he hasn’t ruled out a future in modeling. For now though, he’s fully dedicated to music.
In 2015, Deelö barber introduced him to their current manager, New Orleans producer Zül-Qarnaįn, who formed a bond with the group and named them after working with the boys briefly on a NFL-related project with Cam Newton. While searching for a singer to complement Deelö and T-Daddie’s harmonies, Zül-Qarnaįn received a video of Dallas performing. In addition to possessing a mighty set of lungs, the Tainerz’ youngest member, Dallas is quick to turn on the charm with an easy smile. The baby-faced “little bro” of the group earns top honors in school and is also a gifted athlete and self-professed “game head.”
After two years of performing together at local events and festivals as The Tainerz, the boys have built a strong following in New Orleans, and for good reason. It’s their live show that truly impresses. Watching Deelö and T-Daddie move, it’s hard to miss the Chris Brown influence, while Dallas’ presence and confidence bring to mind a young Michael Jackson, the entertainer all three boys name as a favorite.
The Tainerz are currently touring to promote “One Way,” their first official single since signing with Rocnation/Interscope earlier this year. The song is a testament to their dedication to their craft. For The Tainerz, performing has been their “One Way” out of the gritty New Orleans neighborhood where they were raised. The song speaks to the focus and determination that’s put them on the road to success.
“God has something written for them,” Zül-Qarnaįn says. “They have individual gifts but when they combine they form a super trinity. “
Follow @TheTainerz on Instagram and check out their new single and video One Way here:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBIqGtAC2O4&w=560&h=315]