Entertainment

The debut performance

By TOUSSAINT SMITH, Staff Reporter

( left - right ) Spice and Bob Andy. - file photos

FOR A YOUNG artiste venturing into the entertainment business, there are things to know about preparing yourself for your debut performance. This Bussin' Time feature will take you backstage into the world of top entertainers prior to their performance and will give you an idea about how to present and prepare yourself.

One performer, Bascom X, says he keeps calm and maintains focus and a clear mind. "Normally me keep my focus. Mi nuh think bout nothing; mi just go wid a natural vibes, just go with an open mind and a free flow. And then, according to how yuh dress give you a vibes cause if yuh go pon the show 'raggedy' yuh nah go feel good," he adds.

Veteran entertainer Bob Andy takes it a little higher with a spiritual routine. "The routine I have is very spiritual," he says. "So I normally meditate before I go onstage ... to make sure my voice is okay I sing a couple scales ... I also like to see the show, other artistes and feel the vibes of the audience and see if I can match it ... It good to be warm before you go onstage."

Fight the urge

It may be hard to believe, but even the veteran singer Ernie Smith has had his share of stage fright. To overcome this he says, "I just try get a hold of myself, don't run off the stage, fight the urge to run. Pick one person or friendly face in the audience and sing to that person if you are scared of the crowd. Make sure yuh hearing yourself clearly compared to the band and have faith."

Female entertainer, Spice, demands to have her space prior to her performance and suggests that all artistes should do the same. "Basically I normally go over my songs in my head, so I don't forget them on the stage. I take 10 minutes for myself to mediate. Go a hour before your performance, so yuh can know the vibes and be yourself and free up. Give it yuh best shot," Spice added.

Songwriter, singer and producer Richie Stephens believes in proper planning and execution of deliverance. "The first thing to do is to have proper rehearsal; rehearsal is key ... it will give you that look of perfection; to rehearse is the greatest preparation.

"Personal preparation, which is outfit garments ... if people like what you are wearing, then 10 to one they will like other things. When you have all of that it creates comfort between the performer and the audience, which makes it easier to deliver a good show," Stephens states.