Understanding Your Roll as a Performing ArtistBy Pistol Page

Let’s get a show of hands (obviously, not really, but you know what I mean) on how many of you would consider yourselves an original artist. Seriously. Raise your hand if you could say you are unlike any other artist that performed in the venue you were at last night. If your hand is raised, then please answer these questions so I can verify your claim.

1.   What type of music were you performing? If your answer is “well, I was at a hip hop show so of course I was putting on for the rap game”, then you lied to me so far.  You are not different if you did the same type of songs. Not yet anyway.

2.   What were your songs about? Wait… don’t say it…. Let me see if I can guess…. Your songs are about the pain you feel sometimes or the clout you have or about what is wrong with society. Am I right? If so, you are still the same.

3.   What did you do to connect with the crowd while on stage?  If you yelled at them to put their hands up, repeat after you, or come closer to the stage, I’m still waiting.

4.   What did you sell for merchandise and memorabilia? Let me guess… t-shirts, hats, and stickers with your name on it right?

The reason I am asking this is to see if you really understand what it is you are trying to do with your music. So, ------you believe in yourself and think that you write good songs. No one really cares about that when you are getting started. What the people want is an experience. The artists who climb the latter are the ones who give the people what they want. Not the ones who have the best rhyme schemes or trap beats. I hate to break it to you buddy, but no one wants to hear about how big your ego is.

If you want to make an impression you have to be unique and generous. Showing up to your first show with $20 t-shirts that have your logo on them has nothing to do with show biz and the people who buy them at this point are typically trying to show support to local musicians rather than buy a shirt that they never want to take off because they love you so much.

The point is to be so dope that they (whoever is in the crowd) wants to brag about being a part of something that you did. What I do is find ways to include the other performers in my hustle by making custom posters, fliers, and paintings. This helps me establish connections with the artists as well as the audience.

As I have mentioned before, venturing outside of your comfort zone will always pay off once you become accustomed to doing such a thing. It is in the unique quarks that the true genius resides. Embrace your weirdness and open your mind to more possibilities.

Lastly, and most importantly, do what you do for the love of it. Not for the love of money or to try to be the best.

Thank you all and have a nice day.