Video: Pop Lyfe on America's Got Talent

With the fiscal troubles of Oakland Public Schools came the fall of arts departments district wide. When I was a freshman at Oakland Tech we lost our performing arts academy, and unless you went to Skyline, similar fates probably befell your public high school too. Within this context Oakland’s rich musical history faces a rough road. Thankfully The Town is clawing its way back. The community effort to rebuild the performing arts department at Oakland Tech has been impressive and the Oakland School for the Arts charter has become a mainstay for talented youth in search of a more creative education.

From this rebirth, the youth band Pop Lyfe has emerged. Led by the son of Tony Toni Tone’s Dwayne Wiggins and headed by the powerful chameleon Khelani Parrish, the dynamic sextet has been performing around Oakland for a few years now. This summer marks their biggest opportunity yet, as they will be in Las Vegas to represent for Oakland on the new season of America’s Got Talent. They killed their audition (below) and did it in true Town fashion. 

Faced with Piers Morgan’s suggestion that Parrish drop her band, the spunky lead singer told him he wouldn’t say that after seeing an electric set from them. When he made it further apparent that he wouldn’t pledge his support if she wasn’t solo she responded, “I don’t go without my brothers,” prompting a huge standing ovation from the impressed audience. Despite Morgan’s nay saying, the group made it through auditions and will be taking the stage in Vegas. For those of you who have seen them get down, you already know that these kids can play. Tune in and cheer them on this summer.