Sabi Shares Exclusive Tour Photos and Her Experiences Touring With Britney and Nicki

Posted on Aug 26th 2011 1:00PM by Contessa Gayles

Sabi Smallz + Raskind

Sabi has already lent her pipes to the likes of Cobra Starship and none other than Britney Spears, with whom Sabi has performed on the Femme Fatale tour. The 'Drop Dead Beautiful' star-on-the rise shares her tour diary from her nights on the road with Britney and opening act Nicki Minaj, exclusively with AOL Music. With her debut single and album on the way, the songstress tells AOL Music about her backstage rituals, how she will "really bring it" during her performance at this Sunday's (August 28) MTV VMAs (her first TV appearance ever!) and how Beyonce watching from the VMA audience will make her "stupid nervous."

What has been the craziest, or most memorable moment from being on the Femme Fatale tour?

Personally, it was the very first show, because I was in front of a massive crowd and they were all chanting and screaming. I knew this was a really big show and that it was a gigantic moment of my career. I will never forget the look of the arena packed full all the way up to the tip-top seats as I came up out of the elevator under the stage for my performance.

Have Britney Spears or Nicki Minaj given you any veteran advice or words of encouragement?

I think I've learned the most from watching these powerful women do what they do best. I just try to soak it all in.

Warner

I'm putting on my jewelry backstage in wardrobe in this picture. I'm getting ready to go up on stage for my 'Drop Dead Beautiful' [Britney Spears' song, which features Sabi] performance with Britney Spears on the Femme Fatale Tour. Every girl knows accessories can make an outfit magic!

Do you have any pre-performance, backstage rituals?

I like to listen to relaxing music like Corinne Bailey Rae. Then I kinda do a little pep talk with myself, like "Time to go kill it. Nothing less!"

What has been your favorite show so far, and why?

Sacramento [Calif.] seemed amazing and so loud because it was my very first show on the Britney Spears Femme Fatale tour. L.A. because it's my hometown and NYC, because it's so legendary to perform there.

Warner

Backstage -- or should I say under the stage -- at the makeup touch-up station right before I go on!! I'm a little nervous, because I can hear the music on the stage up above me, and I'm almost ready for show time!

What can we expect from your upcoming MTV VMA performance with Cobra Starship? What will be the one aspect of the performance that people will be talking about after?

Since it's my first television appearance ever, you can expect me to really bring it! I think the creativity is really exciting, and I've definitely never seen anything like this before. When people see Gabe [Saporta, of Cobra Starship] and I interacting and then with the rest of the group, it's going to be a really dynamic performance.

Are you nervous for the performance? Are there any artists who will be in the VMA audience whom you are nervous about watching you perform?

I'm not really nervous, more excited, because I know how big this is to perform on the pre-show. I'd be stupid nervous if Beyonce was watching from the red carpet, because she is one of the most ultimate performers and I'd probably try to take it up about 20 notches!

Warner

Performing 'Drop Dead Beautiful' on stage!

Give us a few VMA predictions. Who do you think will win and who do you think deserves to win?

That's a hard question. I'm really into Wiz Khalifa, so it would be cool to see him win. I think both Katy Perry's 'Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)' video and Beastie Boys 'Make Some Noise' videos were hilarious, and I'm also a huge fan of Adele and, of course, Britney's 'Till The World Ends,' so it's a really hard prediction.

Listen to Britney Spears' 'Drop Dead Beautiful' Feat. Sabi