There’s still some unfound talent in the Big Apple.

VH1 reality TV star Tara Wallace is no longer looking for ‘Love & Hip-Hop,’ just hip-hop. Alongside DJ Cadillac Jack, Wallace co-hosted a talent filled music showcase at The Duplex here in New York City. Tagged as the New York edition of “Center Stage,” the showcase was organized and coordinated by The Phoenix Public Relations firm.

Record label executives, music enthusiasts as well as friends and family alike, filled the West Village venue where they convened in an intimate room to watch hopeful star artists perform. The internationally recognized party starter DJ Cadillac Jack himself, assembled the local acts for the event after having encountered them each individually throughout his performances in and around the city. And they’re all featured on his recently released mixtape CenterStage. Among the many that took the stage, notable standouts were Brooklyn rapper E Dott and Bronx R&B singer TayBell. Both artists confidently commanded the stage and executed moving performances able to engage the audience with their distinctive charismatic styles. With a sound reminiscent of J. Cole, E Dott delivered a soulful ode inspired by his grandfather and TayBell followed up with a vocal exposition that serenaded the entire room.

While things seemed to run smoothly throughout the course of the night, the show actually ended in a divorce as Wallace returned the ring she had been given by DJ Cadillac Jack when he opened the show on bended knee asking her to be his co-host for the evening. Though the crowd was amused at the light hearted termination of the couple’s stage marriage, DJCJ appeared pretty torn. But despite the quick split, the two agreed to remain Facebook friends and continue following each other on Twitter. Once again folks, no more ‘Love & Hip-Hop,’ just hip-hop. Check out the photos taken by Ms. Hong.

Mario López (@M5Motie)