Laughter is the best medicine and theyve all hosted shows giving Barbadians their dose.

The comedian emcees in Barbados have become a household name bringing their high-energy personalities to the stage every time. Although patrons come to see the artistes and the featured acts, the emcee has the job of making the show flow, making links between the artistes and still being aware of time management. Trevor Eastmond, Kevin B. Hinds and Jennifer Walker based on their experience can all say that before the emcee says anything, theyre judged on their appearance and within the first seconds, their personality has to shine through. Some of the tips they would tell someone interested in becoming an emcee are to have stage presence, be spontaneous and have the ability to think on your feet. What any emcee can attest to is how tiring being on your feet is and while the artistes can perform a set and leave, the emcee has to remain. The MC is the most important part in any show. If you dont have a good MC, you dont have a good show, said Eastmond The MC has to be there from top, from the anthem to the end of the show, he added. Kevin B. Hinds, affectionately known by peers and fans by his nickname, K.B. Kleen is a founder member of MADD Entertainment Inc. and has received positive response when travelling overseas. You get a good response here but the truth is you get a better response overseas. People overseas appreciate even a Barbadian accent more than people here. I remember being on a stage in Washington, my first standup show in Washington and I was a little apprehensive because Id never been to Washington to do comedy. They introduced me, and these people started to clap and then they got up and gave me a standing ovation before I even started. Barbadians around the world identify Hinds with MADD and their comedy is met with praise. I dont think Barbadians understand what they have, MADD is the funniest musical comedy group in the Caribbean, probably even the world. Unless people understand that, they will all take MADD for granted until we say, alright, we dun wid dat, Hinds said.

Porgie and Murda, a current internet buzz even said to Hinds that MADD was a major influence in the work theyre doing now. However, Hinds didnt start being an emcee with MADD, it started when he was much younger. From the time I was 3, I was introducing different people on the TV and stuff like that. I used to put on a little show and do a one-man show. But I was always shy, and I still am which most people dont know because I hide it very well, Hinds said. Professionally I didnt call myself an emcee until 1984. Gabby had this guy Penguin from Trinidad and Tobago and he used to sing this song, Deputy and they had a big show and Trevor Eastmond had another engagement and he couldnt turn up. So what happened is, Gabby told me to do the show, I told him, I dont know about that, and then he offered me some money and I said, alright, I know about that, and that was my first big gig, he added. In Hinds, 18 years of being a professional emcee and around 30 years unofficially, hes documented the last twenty years and can tell anyone where and when he told each joke. He credits George Carlin, Bill Cosby, Patrick Gollop and his parents as some of his major influences. Hinds called one of Gollops performances, genius when Gollop came on stage as himself and as the show progressed dressed and acted as a younger version until he was in the baby stage. But even as a comedian, jokes dont make an entire show, it comes down to research, research, research and more research. Keeping abreast is the most essential guide when making a statement and informing the crowd on anything. Being engaging, informative and a good public speaker helped Hinds and Eastmond to hone their craft. When it comes to content, Eastmond said it simply, Put yourself in the audience first. What you wont like, you wont give. For me it does be easy, it comes natural to me. Ive been doing it for years. 39 to be exact and he can proudly say hes hosted numerous Crop Over events. But appreciation goes a long way and something that is frustrating for any comedian emcee is when they host a show and receive no credit for their job well done from media. The highlights from the job come from crowd response and the public, making it all worthwhile.

When my daughter was maybe 7 or 8, she told me, daddy I realize, that you would do anything for comedy. And I said, yea thats true. I would do anything once I know its funny and its going to work, you see me in a dress, you see me as the ugly baby mother, I dont care and when I did that, that was my birthday. Most people would say, nah man I aint doing that, not on my birthday man, but I dont care, its funny, its going to make people laugh, he said. Jennifer Walker who has been in the industry for about ten years said one thing that stood out for her is how emcees can control a crowd. Referencing Mac Fingall,I remember one time he was able to, from the stage to calm a crowd when there was a little uproar. As one of the more prominent female comedian emcees, Walker says she feels no pressure from the males getting good support and recommendation from them. She credits being an emcee with making her an even better actress. Ill always be Jennifer Walker with my own style. Once you create your own unique style, then people would appreciate you, she said. There was an echo with each of them saying the next generation should be groomed to become MCs and they look forward to seeing more. Eastmond said he is currently working with a ten year old named, Naem Jordan.