Kenyan artists fame game

By Chiquitta

Being a Kenyan artiste, especially one who is in the mainstream, has its perks. After a little recognition, you get called a celebrity and enjoy the entrapments that come with being referred to as such. However, what goes up must come down and so it is with showbiz. Here are some stages of celebrity…

Phase one: Early career

This is the point and time when an artiste realises they love performing and being in the limelight. They begin working on their goal and never stop dreaming. In high school, or after high school or university, they get their first taste of celebrity. From then on they can’t shake the bug and begin earnestly to strive for fame. These are actually the best artistes to meet. They are hungry and eager to learn and work. They will arrive 30 minutes early for interviews, return phone calls promptly and are happy to meet their fans.

Phase two: a taste of fame

This is when the artiste’s song or name begins getting some recognition. Suddenly, they are fielding calls from publications and TV shows and their video and song is on heavy rotation. They get a little money and begin updating their look, talking about swagger and generally enjoying the spoils of their fame. They still want more and, therefore, remain accommodating to press and publicity.

Phase three: Finally famous

Phase three is what an artiste dreams of. His/her name is now mentioned in the same breath as big names.They invited to VIP parties and paparazzi jostle to snap the perfect photo. They are now signing autographs and getting endorsement deals. This is the most fruitful stage and also the most crazy anything they do or say comes back to haunt them and controversy tends to spring up at such times. It is at this point that artistes would do well with having a manager or learning more about public relations.

Phase four: Full of it

At this phase, the celebrity is still riding high on his/her fame, they begin to feel untouchable and begin to embrace the VIP tag more easily. They enjoy the fact that they are on top of their game and begin to erect barriers between themselves and others. They may decide to only deal with the who’s who of the industry and would be caught dead hanging out with the no-names. This is also the point where they begin referring to paparazzi and press as a nuisance. They cancel interviews at the last minute or refuse altogether. They make ridiculous demands before agreeing to perform and begin to refer to themselves in the third person.

Phase five : Who?

The show is over and it is time to go home. This is the stage when a celebs star begins to wane. It may not happen as soon as they fear but it will happen one day.

Suddenly, there are no more cameras flashing. Someone new and more talented (and there is always someone new and more talented) has taken their spot. The celeb spends his/her time trying to come back by embracing the new hip sound before finally admitting defeat. He/She will probably get a job in the media or start their own business closely related to music because we all know that showbiz is addictive.

If you happen to be on top of your game always remember there is always going to be someone younger, fresher and hungrier waiting to take your place. Nothing lasts forever.

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