Artist profile - Extra Big: “Never give up on your dreams…” |11 May 2017

Every week the Entertainment page will try to bring you a short profile on a Seychellois artist, be it in the performing, visual or other forms of arts.

In our fifteenth profile, readers will learn more about the talented young singer, Herrance Etienne AKA Extra Big.

Recently Extra Big walked away with Best Song, Best Album and Best Video Clip awards in the seventh Cable Tunes Award.

He is reputed for songs such as Call Ou, Donn Mwan ou Lanmen, Ou Mon Sunshine among others.

Recently Extra Big dropped a new album entitled Sispans which made waves in our small island.

Last weekend he also did a three-hour concert at the mini stadium to promote his new album as well as old hit songs.

Extra Big has taken this opportunity to thank all his fans, Cable Tunes Award, Relation Band, Terry Carolla, Eddy Telemac, Ezy-D, DJ Owen, Arthur LoPinto, Extra Big Sounds & Ghetto Soul Jazz.

Q: When did you start your career as a singer?

A: It all started when I was in secondary school, precisely in S4. I was 16 years old and I had a passion to sing.

Q: What hit songs have you featured in so far?

A: Hit songs that I have featured in include Leker kase (by KJ) and Sa Rev (by Zion-I).

Q: Will you consider yourself a singer or entertainer?

A:  When performing you need to sing well and entertain. You need techniques to keep the audience moving, and be active while on stage. So I consider myself both an entertainer and singer.

Q:  What’s your motto you live by?

A: Never give up on your dreams.

Q: How do you overcome negative comments from society?                                                                                                                  

A: Basically I just ignore negative comments; I don’t let them get to me and my career as a singer. But some negative comments can help you improve yourself and create better songs.

Q:  Where do you draw inspiration from when you write songs and what’s your favourite part about the process?

A: I drawmyinspiration from everyday life and my surroundings. The Lord Himself inspires me to be better. I also enjoy creating the beat, the melody and rhymes.

Q: What hidden talents do you have?

A: Besides being a singer, I am also a producer. I record other artists’ songs as well. And I also play various instruments. I am just a man with many talents.

Q: Who have influenced your musical talents?

 A:Most of my family members are musicians, so this comes voluntarily to me.

Q: Studio work or performing live, which of these do you prefer and why?                

A: Performing, because it’s fun having the public sing along with me, and also it is a challenge as not everybody can do it. It is not an easy task.

Q: Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist? 

A: My style is different from other artists.  The way I create my music will never resemble another’s. And my voice is unique, when I sing people know it’s me.

Q: If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing?

A: I would be an electrician. During my school days I wanted to be an electrician, and I was really good at it, but it’s been a long time since I’ve done any electrical work.

Q: Recently you won three awards in the Cable Tunes Award. Did you expect this, and what next?

A: I did not expect such awards; I was quite surprised when I heard my name. Now I am focusing on live shows and performances that will be held throughout the year on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Recently I did my first live concert and I was really happy with the turn-out. I was able to sing 30 songs from all my albums, including the latest one.

Compiled by U.J.