3 Tips That Will Improve Your Hip Hop Stage Performance

 

1. Learn to Use the Mic Properly

Time and time again I see too many hip hop artists who don’t know how to use the mic correctly. The microphone is the one thing that stands between you and your connection to the audience. Learn how to use it. Don’t eat the mic or hold it flush to your mouth. This muffles your tone and no one can understand what you’re saying. Also, don’t grip the mic on it’s head. This can cause unpleasant audio feedback. Keeping the mic a couple of inches away from your mouth not only makes for a better sound, it also leaves a more sanitary piece of equipment for your fellow emcees.

2. You don’t need everybody that lives on your block on stage with you.

This is a major problem. Unfortunately I see way too many artists who are supposed to be veterans in the game, make this terrible mistake. Multiple people on stage all yelling the lyrics to the song. It may feel good to you on stage, but for the spectator, it looks and sounds like a big mess. Stop it! If you’re going to use hype men, make sure that they enhance your performance.

 

3. Don’t overstay your welcome.

If you’re an unknown artist, you’ve got to know when to hit it and quit it. Give them a taste and keep it moving. You will have a greater chance at making an impression if you hit with a couple of nice songs and then exit the stage. If you start trying to perform your mixtape anthology, you’re sure to lose everybody, and maybe even get something thrown at your dome.

This has been a public service announcement. Please share and pass it along. Tweet it, retweet it…three tweet it! Print it out, mass copy it and tape it to the front door of every open mic club. Anonymously leave it on the doorstep of the offending artist. Help these artists see the error of their ways. Hip Hop will thank you for it 🙂