Biography
Performing in front of large crowds is not new for Colton B (a.k.a. "Lil' C"), whose current single, "I Can't Stop," is about to hit the streets. This rapidly rising young star performed with Jennifer Lopez at the 2001 American Music Awards, Outkast at the 2002 Grammy Awards, and Missy Elliott at the 2003 American Music Awards. He was also one of Missy's lead dancers in her "Work It" video, was center stage with Lil' Romeo and Master P in the Teen Nick Concert, with Missy again in Florida for MTV Spring Break, with Jay-Z in his "H to the Izzo" video, starred in Prince's "Musicology" video, performed on two Walt Disney shows, and has made guest appearances on the Today Show, The Tonight Show, Maury Povich, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and Mad TV.
Colton B also won the 2004 Performer of the Year award at the 2004 Youth Omni Awards, performed at the Prism Awards and headlined CUN's high profile 7th Annual Post-Oscar Benefit Gala.
He holds the title of America's Most Talented Kid on NBC in his age group, a distinction he earned in front of millions of viewers, proving himself a true 'triple threat': rapper-singer-dancer.
In 1999, at four years old, Lil' C was an abused foster child with little hope for the future. He was diagnosed as borderline retarded with severe learning disabilities and had spent his young life up to that point neglected by his birth mother then placed with an abusive foster family. His prospects at adoption were bleak because he would hardly talk, was sullen, and kept to himself. But when Lil C walked into Veda Burton's dance studio, his whole world was about to change. The connection between Veda and Lil' C was immediate. At the end of each session tears would well up in Lil' C's eyes as he was faced with the prospect of going home. Eventually Veda began investigating and found out about his situation. When she decided to adopt Colton, Veda was warned that he would be difficult to raise because of his disabilities, and that this would limit him throughout his life. She went ahead with the adoption anyway and, watching Colton B today, it's clear that in a proper, loving, nurturing environment, most of those issues quickly melted away. With 5 years in a loving, caring home, Lil' C is thriving not just beyond expectations, but beyond most of his peers, and is one of the happiest kids on the block.
Today, Colton B's three passions are dancing, rapping, and basketball (when not performing live, recording, or in school, he is often on the court or traveling with his basketball league). This year has been especially exciting for Colton as his dancing, recording, and performing careers have continued to reach new heights; he stars as the young Prince in Prince's "Musicology" video, and has been in studio recording his new album, with the lead single, "I Can't Stop" about to hit the streets. He has worked with top choreographers including Cris Judd, Shane Sparks, Dave Scott and High Hat, and has performed at the ACAs and in Kanye West's "Work Out" music video, recently danced at the Kids' Choice Awards with one of his favorite stars, Will Smith, and has booked several national commercials and added a new live stage show to his line of credits.
The stage show, "Lil' C Live," has traveled across the country over the past 12 months, performing for our troops at Quantico in Virginia, for a live concert with Brian McKnight in Las Vegas, at B.B. Kings in Universal City, for numerous benefits including Youth for a Positive Change and Day Of The Child, and at the Sony Back Lot for Westside Children's Center. Lil' C also holds the distinction of being the youngest performer ever hired by Universal, and his live show can be seen most weekends this summer at Universal Citywalk.
