Student performer brings ‘natural talent’ to VCU

Ta’Wane Watkins is a new talent among the VCU community with a classic presence.

The 22-year-old singer from Surry County is emerging with his own unique sound, and he brings with him the impressions of musicians like Usher and Musiq, or Stevie Wonder and the Isley Brothers. His voice has the definition and emotion of soul, and the complementary rhythms are very groovy.

“Music is another form of expression,” he said, “like, to get stuff off of your chest, tell whether you’re happy, sad – anything.”

Watkins is a senior in the psychology master’s program and is aiming to be the principal of an elementary school. He sees himself as open-minded and says he is ready to do whatever it takes to help people and recognizes the situations that a lot of kids find themselves in that most people might overlook.

“There’s more to talk about than women and cars and stuff like that,” he said.

Watkins says he is thinking of writing songs of encouragement, which would empower him and his fans; songs that follow the same themes by which he was raised. His mother played a key role in the development of this view point.

“She showed me that if you put enough work into anything, you’ll eventually get the results you want,” he said. “Stay determined, and stay focused, and anything is possible.”

His influences in music are equally justifiable. His appreciation for Usher implies his interest in good showmanship, combined with strong ability and effective presentation. For an effective combination of skills, he takes from Musiq the depth of his words and has learned through him to draw from inner sources for material.

Watkins hopes to create music that does not fit into any of those previous categories that might restrict his audiences. He is making music that all people can in some way identify with.

With roots in the local church choir, his voice got routine exercise, but it wasn’t until one day in high school when he was found casually singing in the hallway that he discovered the usefulness of his trade. “My friend told me ‘You not singing is like me not playing basketball.’ He went to get a basketball scholarship. So he was telling me how good of a voice I had and to use my talent.”

A few weeks ago, Watkins performed as entertainment for the Ms. Kappa Alpha Phi pageant, with a good crowd response.

“While he lacks professional experience, it sure doesn’t sound like it,” said Chris Brown, a close friend who has been helping him record his songs. “He’s a natural talent.”