Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Voicemail performs at Summer Breezes: the Barefoot Beach Party, in Negril, last July. - Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer

Some artistes have a commanding aura, bringing electricity to a stage, while others possess a more mellow presence. Naturally, there are varied opinions on what makes for a good performance.

Deejay Elephant Man is known as the 'Energy God' and he always tries to create the right atmosphere before going onstage. "How I prepare I have to get into a vibe. You have to pray before, always. You have to focus and know what your gonna do. Yuh have to watch the crowd and work wid it. Stay focused and yuh haffi always be inna a good mood," he said.

"Shows like Sumfest and Fully Loaded you haffi go all out. Dem a teenager show a energy dem want. If it's a kid show, your're gonna go there and cruise. If its an adult show you haffi go all out. If it's a big people show you haffi do it so that they can enjoy it," Elephant Man said.

While 'Ele' tries to pump himself up, Ninja Man relies on his spontaneity. "Mi no mek no plans. Mi know a show a go on an mi go, mi do wha mi feel like do. Look mi go a Sunsplash in a full suit of white wid my red and green flag and mi mash up the show. I'm a on the spot person," the Don Gorgon said.

Bringing the vibes

Voicemail is known to bring dancing and singing and, as a group, they have to ensure that everything is on par. Voicemail member Kevin says, "We do a lot of rehearsals, decide what to wear. Whatever problems we may have that's affecting us in anyway, we have to sort it out. The vibe has to be there. At first, we were a bit intimidated to go on after certain acts, like Beenie Man. You wouldn't want to go after dem cause your're like 'okay what can we do?' Now, its all about entertaining the people; that stuff doesn't matter anymore."

However, Ninja Man says, "Mi no fraid fi perform after no man. Even if Michael Jackson come a Jamaica mi will done it same way."

Chuck Fender, more of a cultural act, says, "Spiritual energy is everything. Meditation, nothing ordinary. You have to deliver the message to the people."

Message is the key

His concept of a good performance lies in the 'message'. "Is all about cultural righteousness, as long as a man is sending the cultural message, nothing out of context, then I am impressed. I don't like to pinpoint a name or two. As long as its a message, its all glory," Fender said.

Elephant Man sees something glorious in Shabba Rank's stage presence. "Shabba Ranks, he's the king performer. Him not shy or laid back, him go all out," he said. Kevin pays homage to "couple of artistes that always represent, such as Beenie Man, Shaggy, Buju and in the old days definitely Shabba."

Ninja Man says, "Everybody is good, Bounty Killer, Beenie, Voicemail. When the yute dem perform good is good, I don't go anywhere wid negative feelings. Capleton and Kartel good too, it depends on the show."

Left: Edith Jarbeau (left) dances with deejay Elephant Man at Kenny Benjamin's New Year's Eve Party, 'Let's Bring in the New Year Together', on December 31, 2004.   Right: Ninja Man - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer