Popular Disk Jockey, Dj Kbozz recently uttered: “Dear Namibian artist. We hate it when you call us “MR.Dj” or “Mr.Selecta”. We have names. We are not just random service providers. We are brands. VERY STRONG BRANDS. We hype the crowd for you before you step on stage. We make you look good and sound good on stage. We make sure your songs don’t skip while you perform. We even try help with your technical difficulties even though we are not the sound engineers. Stop acting like you don’t know us. PUT SOME RESPEK ON OUR NAMES! Thank you!”
No, Kbozz…THANK YOU! There are three things that are apparent here when this happens. 1. The entertainer did not come for sound check. 2. The entertainer did not bother to do research which would’ve ultimately made the entertainer privy to details such as the Dj’s name and 3. The entertainer has no respect for the people that make entertainment good sports.
These are the type of entertainers I hate to introduce unto the stage as an MC. These #MrSelektaProneEntertainers are usually the once that mumble in your words when you are attempting to introduce them. What am I talking about? Normally there are three mics at an event. One mic permanently stationed with the MC and the other two mics on standby for performers. When the time is near for the entertainer to perform, as an MC you help these entertainers with a mic, two if needs be.
In this case, the sound engineer already opens their mics. Now you as the MC get unto stage and try to do a Taffy Raw for boxing, now for this entertainer. Sowaar, while you are in the prime of your introduction, jy hoor net: “Everybody say scream…it’s a hip hop kwaito collabo”.
Like homie…wtf?!!?! I’m still speaking here? Have some darn respect! It’s an age old Namibian teaching. Do not speak together. However, singing together would be marvelous. In Afrikaans, our primary school teachers at Narraville Primary would always scream on top of the voices in class: “Moenie in mekaar se monde mors nie”.
Net so. Some of these #MrSelektaProneEntertainers seem to have missed the memo. It is almost certain that these #MrSelektaProneEntertainers will deliver a boring performance. This means people have drifted away from the main stage. Everybody on their phones. Everybody back to their chairs/cars. This now puts an unbelievable pressure on the MC with the assistance of the stationed Dj to re-hype the audience.
Maar weet jy neh? After pissing the MC off by mumbling in the background while the MC is still talking, pissing the Dj off by demanding for track eight after calling him Mr Selekta, they piss off the sound engineers by dropping the mic after their performance. Omes? Like? How many enemies do you want to make in one night?
It partly comes down to what I’ve been preaching. RESEARCH. A bit of research will go a long way. Do not speak while the MC is still introducing you. Attend sound check and get your playlist sorted with the Dj. Oh and use the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the Dj’s name. Please, do not drop the mic. Sharp is ook alright.
Until the next Loop, we say #GMTM
Song of the week: Desmond: Let the music
Flop of the week: Kwaito Lager: Shake your body
Are you going to have a stand at the Windhoek Show and in need of an MC to bring your product/service to life? Contact NSK for a quote at naobebsekind@gmail.com
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