Giselle Numba One @ CMW 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: Giselle Numba One is a female MC, accompanied by her very own programmed beats blasting from her laptop. She also bares a striking resemblance to Natalie Portman in her Garden State days.

Grade: 70

Comment: Although Giselle Numba One's show simply consisted of herself onstage with her computer, the beats were big enough, strange enough and her flowing skills were impressive enough to make the simplicity of it all seem larger than life.

Achievement of Rock 'n' Roll Expectations
80-100: Exceeds skill and knowledge expectations, i.e. rocked us so hard we peed our pants.
70-79: Achieves required skills and knowledge. Meets rock 'n' roll standard.
60-69: Demonstrates some skills. Approaches rock 'n' roll standard.
50-59: Demonstrates some required skills and knowledge in a limited way.
00-50: Has not demonstrated required skills or knowledge.

Learning Skills: E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Sad Really

Oral And Visual Communication
Eye Contact: E
Pronunciation: E
Stage Presence: E
Stage Banter: E
Image: N
Appearance: N
Use Of Stage: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
Giselle took the stage wearing a winter hat, scarf and hoodie. I assumed these would all come off before the show started, but they didn't, which was underwhelming. But her foul mouth and "tummy full of raw fish" were strong enough to allow the crowd to see past her overly chilled out exterior.

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: E
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: E
Work Habits: E
Organization: S
Audience Participation: G
Sound: E
Composition: E
Songs: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
Giselle is a smart chick. Her rhymes are fast and furious, and her beats are massive and give M.I.A. a run for her money. Her deep voice worked really well when rapping and just as well when singing chorus lines to her songs. With a tenor jazz warble and attitude, Giselle avoids the rapper/R&B singer danger zone where so many female MCs tread.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: E
Problem Solving: E
Teamwork: E
Sexiness: G
Haircut: S
Indie Rock Footwear: S
Nods To Disposible Fashion: N
Cool Equipment: G
Level Of Inebriation: S
Actual Ability: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
Okay, she still looks a lot like Natalie Portman and is really reminding people of that Saturday Night Live gangster rap Natalie Portman now, too. The crowd respected her every wish — when she asked them to stand up so it wouldn't feel like she was just doing karaoke in a basement, they did. Although her rhymes were steady and solid, when she spoke between songs, she came off as slightly mentally delayed, which made for a good mix.