Idol Chatter & Voice Views

His blind audition: Tyshawn Colquitt, 23, of Cincinnati, Ohio, performed Sam Smith’s “Like I Can.” He turned the chairs of Jennifer Hudson and Blake shelton. Jennifer called his voice “limitless” and complimented his on-stage energy. Tyshawn opted to join Team JHUD.

His background: Tyshawn says he and his mom run a business called Pounds4Sounds. The pounds are pound cakes she makes. The sounds come from the music he sings while delivering her sweet treats. Tyshawn’s also the oldest of 12 children in a family that has sometimes struggled t0 make ends meet. He’d like to achieve success in music to end that financial struggle.

On picking Jennifer: “It has always been my life dream to meet Jennifer. Like that is the dream girl. When I saw ‘Dream Girls,’ from her coming off of a television show and then landing a movie like that, it was just big news to me. It was like she made something that seemed so impossible possible and I definitely admired it. Every time Jennifer Hudson opens her mouth, it’s warm; it just really moves me.”

What the show didn’t show:

* Back in 2014, Tyshawn represented the U.S. in a televised European vocal showdown called New Wave that was watched by more than 1 million viewers. According to his Voice bio, he finished in the Top 10 and it was filmed in Russia, but televised throughout Europe.

* Tyshawn identifies himself as a singer, actor, model, writer, producer, engineer and vocal coach on Twitter.

* Tyshawn won competitions at the Apollo in New York on six occasions, according to his Instagram account.

* In spite of his young age, he calls himself an “old soul” with an appreciation of the classics and says he’s comfortable singing everything from Ella Fitzgerald to Ne-Yo.

* Tyshawn recently posted an old photo of himself in the recording studio on Instagram, writing “10 years ago music was my primary goal, and today it’s still my main focus!!!”

* He won at the Apollo for the first time at age 13, singing Michael Jackson’s “Who’s Loving You.”

* He attended and graduated from the School of Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati where he won the Corbett Mayerson Award for artistic integrity and excellence.

* At age 17 Tyshawn became involved in a nonprofit program called “S.T.A.R.S.” — Striving To Achieve Real Success — which teaches life skills and artistic development. Tyshawn is now the director of artist development for S.T.A.R.S. and teaches artist development and voice.

* During his career, he’s been the opening act for Yolanda Adams, Midnight Star, Fred Hammonds and Bishop Bobby Hilton. He’s also been working in the studio with funk legend Bootsy Collins.

His social media links:
Instagram
Twitter: @TyshawnColquitt
Facebook
YouTube