Everything about Beatboxing totally explained
Beatboxing is a form of
vocal percussion connected with
hip hop culture (it has been called the fifth element of hip hop) although it isn't limited to
hip hop music. It primarily involves the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue, voice, and more. It may also involve
singing, vocal imitation of
turntablism, the simulation of horns, strings, and other
musical instruments. Therefore it could be said to be a genre of
a cappella music although it can be employed alongside other instruments. It may have some historical connections with other vocal traditions such as
scat singing and
puirt a beul.
History of Beatboxing
Prehistory
Vocal imitation of percussion sounds has existed for a very long time. One tradition is thought to have originated in India several thousand years ago: the tradition of
bol, and the Chinese developed
Kouji, a type of vocal
performing arts. These had little relation with
hip hop, however, and have no direct connection to modern Eastern Hip Hop. Some African traditions use performers' bodies (clapping, stomping) to make musical sounds to maintain a steady musical pace. They made sounds using their mouths by loudly breathing in and out, which is done in beatboxing today.
Pink Floyd's
1967 album
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn contains vocal percussion in its 5th track,
Pow R. Toc H.. Some modern commentators have described this as beatboxing
(External Link
). However, his "beatboxing" was quite different from what is currently known as beatboxing with its origins deriving mostly from
hip hop.
Hip Hop Origins
Beatboxing in hip hop originated in
1980s. Its early pioneers include
Doug E. Fresh,
Biz Markie, and Buffy from the
Fat Boys. Credits of the three include Doug E. Fresh for being the first "human beatbox,", Barry B for coining the term, and Buffy perfecting the art. The term "beatboxing" is derived from the mimicry of the first generation of
drum machines, then known as beatboxes.
Modern Beatboxing
Beatboxing's current popularity is thanks in part to the likes of artists like
Rahzel and
Kenny Muhammad, who have promoted the art form across the world.
In 2005 the world championship of beatboxing was organised in
Leipzig, Germany. The participants came from all over the world, and included Tom Thumb, Roxorloops,
Poizunus,
Joel Turner and Faith SFX. After some hardcore beatbox battles, the final between Roxorloops (Belgium) and Joel Turner (Australia) was decided. The five judges had a difficult time picking a winner and called for an extra round after which Joel Turner won the world championship.
Selected beatbox discography
This list is a selected discography of commercial releases which are mostly/entirely beatbox-based or are otherwise notable/influential records in the history of beatboxing and its popularisation.
1980s
1990s
Rahzel - Make The Music 2000 (1999)
2000s
Click Tha Supah Latin - Square Won (2001)
Kyle "Scratch" Jones - The Embodiment of Instrumentation (2002)
Killa Kela - The Permanent Marker (2002)
Rahzel - Rahzel's Greatest Knockouts! (2004)
Björk - Medúlla (2004)
Joel Turner - These Kids (2004)
Biz Markie - Make the Music with your Mouth, Biz (2006)
Kid Beyond - Amplivate (2006)Further Information
Get more info on 'Beatboxing'.
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