HER STORY IS ONE OF CONTROVERSY

 

(October 8, 2007) Miami, FL- Triple threat 14-year old Montana Tucker, a South Florida native, is rapidly creating a buzz in the realm of hip-hop music and dance. At just 14, the performer has garnered recognition nationwide, compiling a resume comparable to those more than half her age. She has been in over 9 commercials, graced the covers of magazines and has performed at star-studded events as well as on national television. Tucker began her music career as a backup dancer and has opened and performed with  artists such as: Lil' Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Fabulous, Pitbull, Ciara, Omarion, Ashanti, Raz-B of B2K, and many others.  She was also featured with Chris Brown on MTV's "My Super 18," where she performed for his birthday party at Club 40/40 in New York City. Montana is currently scheduled to perform at the FAMU [Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University] Homecoming Concert on November 3rd in Tallahassee, Florida. She will also perform with Lil' Wayne on Nov 5th at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida.

 

At the age of 9, Tucker was 'discovered, ' by hip-hop dancer and choreographer- turned actor, Darren Henson, also best known for his role as, Lem Van Adams on the hit TV series, "Soul Food." Henson scouted Montana at one of his dance workshops in Orlando almost 6 years ago. Montana's mother Michelle Tucker is the founder and president of Pop Starz, a premier hip-hop dance studio, which has attracted some of the industry's most talented celebrity choreographers and dancers. Pop Starz is now on hold while Montana pursues her career as a dynamic hip-hop dancer and performer. Henson stated, "Pop Starz is the best hip-hop company out there, and the production company dancers are amazing, some of the best hip-hop dancers I've seen in the industry."

 

Recently, controversy ensued as the triple-threat surprisingly discovered her demo song, "Mile in These Shoes," being performed by Jennifer Lopez. The song was utilized for the Season 4 promotional spot for ABC hit television show, "Desperate Housewives." Despite claims that the song was penned specifically for Lopez, the song was acquired and performed for over a year by Montana Tucker.

 

Tucker selected, "Mile in These Shoes" from dozens of songs offered to her by Atlanta-based producer Warren "Oak" Felder, with whom she recorded "Mile in These Shoes." According to Montana's management, the song was to fit her demo package nearly a year ago and she has continued to perform the song, intending to shop her project to major record labels when she turns fifteen in January. At the time the recording was made, "Oak" was part of the production team of Grammy award winning songwriter and producer Sean Garrett which coincidently, Garrett adds his credit to Jennifer Lopez's upcoming album "BRAVE" and is alleging to have no idea that the song, "Mile in These Shoes," was originally recorded and licensed by Montana Tucker.  Management goes on to claim, "we paid the producer [Oak] a fee to record the song. By accepting the fee and producing Montana's vocal performance granted an implied license to distribute, promote and to perform the song publicly (live and recorded)."

 

Additionally, Montana has also trained with hip-hop choreographer, Shane Sparks ("So You Think You Can Dance" judge), Sho-tyme (Gwen Stefani's choreographer) and Chuck Maldonado (choreographer for the movie, "Stomp the Yard") and Brice Vick.  She also won the World Hip- Hop Championships where she competed with dancers from all over the world including competitors from Brazil, China, Japan, and Canada. Montana also captured first honors in Florida's "Starz of the Future," competition, while this past September won "Best Overall Performance" at B.B. Kings at Universal in Los Angeles.

 

Montana has been coined as a "child prodigy," and is currently working on her album and will plan to release it 2008 pending finalization of a major record deal. For more information regarding Montana Tucker please visit www.myspace. com/3montana3. For media inquiries, please contact Melissa Sessoms/ Sessoms PR.

 

CONTACT:
Melissa Sessoms
Sessoms PR
Phone: (305)772-6825
Email:  sessomspr@gmail. com
Web:    www.sessomspr. com

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