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One principle that I have adopted in life is it’s either I am going to do something and do it well or I just don’t do it at all.
The moment you step on the stage, get straight into business. You will need to stop counting the number of people in the audience to justify your value at the end of the show.
I got a very exciting response last week why musicians perform half-heartedly.
Looking down from the stage to see how many people are in the audience and at the gate determines the money going into their pocket.
While that may be the case, why then start the show before you have a reasonable number of people as your audience?
You would rather cancel the show and refund those who have come, as they need value for their money and time.
Certain decisions need to be made. It’s either you are going to jam your hearts out for 10 people or cancel the show for a later date where you have advertised well.
The other side of the story you need to look at and ask yourself is who are we and where are we on the music ladder?
Do we command a huge following, or are we trying to grow our crowds?
The size of your audience is determined by some of these factors. Maybe in the small audience there is some talent scout or marketing executive looking out for a band to sign on. So do your thing. It’s great to play in front of huge crowds but it’s also great to see the size of your crowds growing by the day.
Once they are for you then you know good times are ahead.
Do you remember a certain DJ that used this payoff line during his radio programme some many years ago?
The Hitman’s experience is more than just physical, it is live!
Well that was then, tonight it’s the PrayerSoul experience at the Zimbabwe German Society. When PrayerSoul steps on the stage he means business and this is revealed in the look on his face, the step, the swag. As he opens his mouth to introduce himself one can’t wait to hear what he has to offer.
Listen, at times we debate about how to sing and we even criticise those who try and sing like Americans but believe you me, there is nothing like that. It’s either you can sing or you are a wannabe.
PrayerSoul has a very soulful and versatile voice that knows how to arouse the listener which he has combined with lyrics that exude such depth on the subject matter at hand. Generally, he is an inspirational singer in matters of love, life and hope.
Above and beyond the singing, live performance has more to do more with character than with talent and his persona off stage is embodied in his stage performance.
He is an artiste who also has philanthropic traits as he has an organisation called Touch-a-Soul Foundation, which mainly raises funds and awareness for orphans.
When an artiste takes such an initiative to get him or herself out it proves to the audience or onlookers that for art to be taken seriously as business the stakeholders have to embrace a proactive role in their industry.
Strong initiatives to expose and showcase art have always eventually attracted a strong business element because true value always attracts true value.
Therefore in anything that one does if they strive to reach world-class status, they will always attract world-class opportunities.
Prayer Mtamangira, popularly known as PrayerSoul, is a Bulawayo-born brother of soul.
He began playing the guitar in 2003 and found inspiration in the midst of other talented guitarists with whom he practised. Early 2004 he found his niche in an otherwise dormant genre in Zimbabwe when he began experimenting with neo-soul.
It was then this gifted musician’s voice blossomed. Starting off performing in small circles, his first big step was when he auditioned for the “SHAPE Zimbabwe” album in 2005. This is where he met David “DS” Sengwayo, the celebrated music producer, and together they took on PrayerSoul’s first recording project, “Real Legacy”.
Soon after that he decided to push his career to the next level and went for vocal training with Prudence Katomeni.
Since then he has performed on numerous stages and received raving reviews, spreading his wings as far as Malawi.
His recent hit single “Again” has dominated the charts and is being played on radio stations across Africa.
PrayerSoul is a global commodity who is not to be underestimated as he is set to serenade his way to stardom.
Till then God bless!
l Richard Kohola is a music critic and development expert and can be contacted on the following 0772 382 871 or email [email protected]