Tan89Media-When Choosing A Stage Name: make sure you choose wisely.

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  When Choosing A Stage Name...

Choosing a stage name, an alias or an “aka” as an artist is an imperative task because it is a big part of your brand and how you want to be perceived. 

It might be as simple as using your real name as or as complex as coming up with a whole new name. It can be as simple as “AKA”, “Kabza De Small”, “Qwabe Twinz” or “Master KG” because it’s really straight forward and doesn’t need much breaking down or decoding. 

Some stage names are unique to the core, though they might need to be explained to be understood. For example- Focalistic, Priggy Ugly, Da Mthuda, Sean Pages, Sho Madjozi, Lady Zamar or Lady Du… might have an interesting backstory too. 

As an emerging talent I’m assuming you think through your name and what you want it to present and say about you and not for the mere fact that it was given or you like how it sounds. Though some stage names are names that stick from a time given by the streets, friends, family early on, the bottom line is that you need to consider a lot of factors when adopting a stage name.

Maybe these few questions will help you along the way. Is your name unique? Is your name easily readable and pronounceable? Is your name “user-friendly”? Does your name have staying power? 

Your name is what sells and promotes you. When you call yourself “Nasty C” there shouldn’t be a problem when people read your name. There shouldn’t be unsureness on how your name is pronounced. There shouldn’t also be a need to specify or have to explain which “Nasty” they are talking about because there's 3cother Nasty Cs running around in the scene. And hopefully there won’t be Nasty B’s and D’s coming up either, as it was the case with Mlindo "The Vocalist"

Ask yourself, If your name is “Lil nigga Flex” or "Goodshxt Smoke” how would that work if your name needs to be said out loud? If your name is “Eeque” would people right off the bat know how pronounce it? Do you now need to babysit your name and correct people everywhere you go? You don't want to later find out that there is another one of you in the world somewhere who pops up when people search you up.

How many artists share the same name or have similar names and how many times times have you heard "which one"?

Emerging artists- think outside the box, think outside your hood, think beyond being trendy, because that name needs to carry you for generations. 

Like in the case of Yanga Chief and Yanga from Idols. So the definer will always be the “Chief” and “from idols” because you can’t just say Yanga and have people know which one you are talking about. Same with Loyiso Bala and the other Loyiso, Kwesta & Questa, A-Reece and Reece…. Remember the tussle between PROkid and Proverb? You do not want to do that to your brand. 

Choosing a name that is already out there will not work well in your favour. It might come across as you wanting to ride off another person’s name and fame. Your creativity might get questioned too. Do you really want to always defend your choice of name because you always get confused with so and so? Or always get asked “how is your name pronounced?”. Choose wisely, choose well. 

Your name standing out, means you also standout. If we say Lamiez or Maphorisa or Azana there is no way you are going to ask “which one” because you already know. So in being original in your name, you are helping your brand and your journey. You can’t have the same artist in the same diameter using the same aka as you or aspire to use someone else’s stage name or derive your name from theirs. 

It wouldn’t hurt to do some research or to modify your stage name to make it unique and have it stand out. “De Small” made a huge difference in what could have been just a “Kabza”. Imagine if Touchline had just gone by the aka “Thibos” just because his name is Thabo. Some artists that took their bland names and went on to be innovative with them include Emtee (Mthembeni), L-Tido (Lloyd Thato), Blaklez (Lesego), Master KG (Kgaogelo), Touchline (Thabo) & Azana (Makhosazana) and sometimes your real name is original enough and can work just fine as a stage name, like Kelly Khumalo and many others. 

So in essence, choose a good solid stage name so when you are asked “so how did you come up with your name?” you tell an interesting backstory without having to remove yourself from another artist, or even worse, give them free marketing on your time. 

Do not do this!

Choosing a stage name could be as simple as using your real name as or as complex as coming up with a whole new name, so choose one that will help your brand and help tell your story, that is the imperative part!

When Choosing A Stage Name, make sure it is one that's aligned with your identity, story & journey

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