Cold hit me up today, and told me he got us lined up for our first show... we will be opening up for Westside Connection's Dub C. (WC)
Hey, It is a good start no?
We'll see how it goes, because our style music is far from his...lol.
This being our first "official" show, does anyone got any pointers?
1. His manager is a prick (if he still has the same one.)
2. He'll show up in an unmarked Dodge Ram van at the venue. Wait... he probably won't he got DROPPED FROM DEF JAM!
3. His DJ uses a hard disk recorder for playback.
4. His stage presence is simply "ok".
5. His area record rep will be there. If it's in Hemet, CA it's probably-- wait HE GOT DROPPED BY DEF JAM!
6. Don't call him "Bill" or "Will."
7. Be nice to everyone in his crew. He is basically financially supported by Ice Cube and Snoop. His crew is a paranoid bunch but expects you to be after them on hand and foot.
8. He sounds like shit live.
9. His manager liked Grey Goose vodka A LOT and sent a record co. intern on a hunt for it. His crew as well (who doesn't) his crew as well. If you want to hustle and kiss their ass, buy a bottle.
1. As an opener, your volume will be lower than WC unless you pay the soundguy a lot of money.
2. As an opener, your light show will suck.
3. As an opener, nobody knows who the fuck you are. What do you do? Keith Murray had a great stage presence, he climbed on shit-- on amps, wherever he go... while rapping. You seriously need to wow the fuck out of these people. If you are awesome in your opener, and do something wild but fun, the booking agent who's there will consider you for another show. Drink a lot of RED BULL, make sure you're not wasted before you go on stage and interact-- give fives to the crowd, try to balance on shit (don't fall) make it memorable, because no one knows who the fuck you are. OWN THE VENUE, OWN THE CROWD, CLIMB ON SHIT, CROWD SURF IF YOU CAN-- DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING THAT THE OTHER M.C. PUSSIES WHO ARE OPENING UP FOR W.C. WILL NOT DO. Keith Murray... that show is still in my mind today. The show sounded like shit, but he pumped everyone up.
4. If you're rapping with a crew, don't have your crew end every line for you-- it sounds shitty live.
5. Your friends will want to join you on stage, all 200 of them. DON'T LET THEM DO IT.
6. Make sure your music is played by a trusted associate and is on a hard disk that can't skip.
7. Show up early. AS SOON AS THEY OPEN THE VENUE. There is nothing more annoying than seeing local rappers acting like they're stars, showing up late and giving a cocky attitude. Unless you're an established artist, you will be nexted. Be respectful, don't talk shit-- BUT ALSO DON'T ACT LIKE YOU'VE NEVER DONE SOMETHING THIS "BIG" BEFORE. SHOW CONFIDENCE!
Do recon on the venue. Look where you can jump off shit, climb on shit, do crazy stuff.
Rehearse at home, they won't let you rehearse at the venue except for a "sound check." They're probably using old Cerwin Vega! speakers or Peavey amps and speakers at the venue. It WILL sound like shit, and it's not your fault. Remember, because you're not playing an instrument, you have to make it up with A LOT of energy and presence. BELIEVE what you are doing. When you are climbing on a railing BELIEVE that you are the SHIT. People will then BELIEVE you. The crowd can feed off your hype. They can also tell if you're apprehensive and weak.
Just go out there and kick ass, give it 110percent, go nuts, people WANT to see that shit.
This is an important show for you, especially if the booking agent is there-- does anyone know who his agent is? Is it CAA, WMA-- who is it? I forgot. Anyway, if the local booker for the show is there THAT PERSON IS YOUR TARGET. If he likes you, you will get more shows-- from those shows you meet people, and those people can lift you up.
Practice your show over and over and over again at home with your crew. Set up the room like the venue is set up (make a mock set up.)
I WANT A FUCKING FIELD REPORT ON THIS SHIT. I LOVE LIVE SHOWS.
