JammX sends positive message

Using a combination of rap, hip hop, song and dance, the JammX Kids send a positive message to their peers: stay healthy and active through exercise and the performing arts.

JammX Kids is made up of nine children of various backgrounds ranging in age from 10 to 17, who encourage young people to get in shape and fight obesity.

The troupe rehearsed and filmed a pilot for their upcoming reality show on Thursday at Center Staging Musical Productions in Burbank.

“The mission is to get kids off the couch and promote a healthy lifestyle,” said Lisette Bustamante, creative producer for the JammX Kids.

The group has released one music video and has promoted their songs on Radio Disney, Bustamante said. They have also distributed a DVD series and have appeared on the Kids’ WB!, she added.

Since their founding nearly three years ago, the JammX Kids have been recognized by “American Idol” judge and producer Randy Jackson and other celebrities, including Shaquille O’Neal, who made an appearance in one of the group’s music videos.

“I love being with this group,” said JammX Kid Chancellor Miller, 13. “It’s like family working together. It’s just a blast. We send a huge positive message to the world.”

The members of the JammX Kids all have their own personal styles of dress and image.

Johnny Erasme, 17, likes to let people know that he is a Florida native.

He proudly wears a Florida state license plate around his neck and credits Michael Jackson for his dancing skills.

“It all started when I was 3,” Johnny said. “I use to watch Michael Jackson and I started doing the moves. My mom put me in a dance troupe and I picked up the choreography.”

But Lauren Brianna is the dancer of the group.

The 14-year-old Whittier resident has studied hip hop, jazz and tap dancing but likes hip hop the most.

“We are like one unit,” Brianna said, as she put on her tap dancing shoes. “We do have our differences, but when we are combined, we become one unit.”

Wearing baggy pants and a T-shirt, 10-year-old Bobbe’ J Thompson, the youngest member, is also one of the rappers of the group.

He started his rap career at 5 and showed a natural talent for dancing at 2, he said.

Bobbe’ J doesn’t mind being the youngest. He actually prefers it.

“I’m basically spoiled,” he said.

The filming of the pilot for their reality show will chronicle the children in a boot camp recording their new CD and preparing to go on tour, their publicist Candice Smart said.

Annie Gonzalez, the diva of the group, enjoys singing the most, but is also well-informed about the health issues pertaining to children her age.

“In this generation, most kids are obese,” the 13-year-old said. “One out of four kids are obese. Most of it has to do with what you learn from your parents. This generation of kids will not live as long as their parents.”

The JammX Kids also hope to appear on MTV with their music videos.

“I’ve realized this is a fun thing to do and stay fit,” JammX Kids member Jazz Domingo, 13, said. “We are like brothers and sisters. We are like family.”

blr-jammx.2.22-CPhotoInfoDT1T6H8T20060722j2qpngncCredit: Photos by TAMMY ABBOTT News-Press and Leader Caption: (LA)Bobbe J Thompson has a turn performing dance and rap during the Jamm X rehearsal and filming of their pilot, Thursday at Center Staging Musical Productions. blr-jammx.1.22-CPhotoInfoDT1T6H8D20060722j2qpudncCredit: Photos by TAMMY ABBOTT News-Press and Leader Caption: (LA)JammX member Johnne Erasme works on his microphone technique during his time rehearsing for the group”s pilot of their reality show.