Buff1, PPP & Pac Div By Kyla

Hypotheses asunder, it’s impossible to nail down the future of our beloved genre. In light of a contained, self-fulfilling Internet, and with artist development down the tubes, the old blueprint for a lasting career is null-and-void.

While I’ve waxed philosophical about the Art of Freestyle, it’s been brought to my attention that no one gives a fuck about freestyle anymore. Apparently spitting free is as irrelevant a talent as… well, as talent. So that brings me to something that will never go out of style: Performance. In my humble opinion, the performance is only gaining momentum and may be the thing artists will need if they plan to make a living in this shit right here. Crowds can download free music all day long, but to get them to devote their nights and gasoline dollars takes some extra legwork.

After having spent far too much money, time and mileage on concerts myself, I’ve broken Performance down to its essential quadrants with an artist who typified its excellence:

1) Personality – Ghostface

Why would anyone in their right mind pay to see a cliché? Rappers should avoid wearing sunglasses indoors and giving speeches that start “hold on, hold on, hold on…” I’ve been to three Ghostface shows and they were all similar – same joints, same people, same dialogue – but they were always unique unto themselves. Ghost has an insatiable personality that pushes the audience into bouts of uproarious laughter and pulls more pussy on stage than you’d ever think a man with a giant gold hawk on his wrist should warrant. I know I’ve been up there for a “Cherchez” myself.

2) Connectivity – Buff1

There’s a face that most emcees give that I like to call “the vacant stare,” i.e. they look at some invisible dot at the back of the venue while they rhyme. Whether they’re looking at the bar or the door or the wall I have no idea, but it’s a dead eye that makes the audience feel incredibly separate from the rapper. One of Buff’s strongest suits is he makes eye contact with his crowd and gets them involved in his music. He’s not performing at them; he’s with them, and it converts the legions.

3) Showmanship – Pac Div

There’s nothing more yawn-able than watching a stage full of an artist’s boys. I didn’t pay money to watch Royce’s friends spit his lyrics, or have the beat drop out on half his joints so he could go acappella. No, I paid to see Royce do “Boom,” period. Give the people what they want. Pac Div comes out on stage hard with their Crew Neck Sweaters, running-man break-downs and a werewolf mascot, to boot. Their set is designed to ensure even a hesitant audience will be dancing with them by the end.

4) Sweat – PPP

Entertain me, gosh darn it. I paid $20 to get in this bitch and now I’m dropping a pretty penny on a weak vodka-cranberry. If you want me to sing your hook, you pay me. PPP (formerly Platinum Pied Pipers) knows you want to hear their joints and are going to perform the hell out of them with live instruments and all the classic-shit accoutrement – guest appearances, sharp gear, etc. They’re going to spill their hearts on the stage for you, and they won’t ask you to do any more than let go and enjoy.

With these simple steps, artists can be Kanye, who seems to have mastered all fronts. The only problem with ‘Ye is I can’t afford his show, so I’m going to have to think of another formula for rich motherfuckers. The Art of Humility, perhaps. The Art of Charity. The Art of Fuckouttaherewiththatseventydollarsbullshit.

Previously Posted — Guidelines For The Art Of Freestyle