In How We Got On, Julien is an amazing beat-boxer. If you happen to be too young or too old to have been involved with this particular moment in hip-hop history, you may find yourself wondering what beat-boxing is all about.
Have no fear, we’re here for you. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a three-video introduction to one of the most visceral musical forms known to man.
We start with the Fat Boys. You may remember them for their blockbuster collaboration with The Beach Boys – Wipe Out. In this stone-cold-classic video, though, you can see & hear the late great Darren Robinson AKA Buffy AKA DJ Doctor Nice doing his human beat box thing. Yes, Robinson made almost all of the noises — most significantly the beat — on this track with his mouth.
Was that one to old school for you? Alright, let’s bring it forward a bit.
You like Snoop Dogg? Well Snoop Dogg knows his history. Here is is doing a televised live show, and he covers Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh’s epochal La Di Da Di and brings out Doug E. Fresh himself. This is just Snoop on the rhymes and Doug E. with the beat box, no electronic assistance needed. Really great stuff.
(Wondering about Snoop’s occasional accent? Check out Rick & Doug’s original from ’85.)
Okay, you ready to give it a try?
This guy gives a very nice (and sometimes funny) five minute lesson. It’s remarkably similar to my college theatre voice class.
Who’s up for a beat-box battle in the lobby on opening night?
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