2010 International Human Beatbox Convention, 1st U.S. Beatbox Championship – Recap, Photos, Videos

FriScO beatboxed his way to the top as he bested seven other finalists and took home the coveted title of American Human Beatboxing Champ. The 1^st ever American Beatbox Championships, held last weekend (7/30-8/1) at Littlefield in Brooklyn, showcased the best of the best and served as the key event of the 2010 International Human Beatbox Convention.

The final battle between FriScO and Maximilian, initially scheduled for one round, went an additional two rounds as the judges, which included beatbox legends Rahzel and Kenny Muhammad,  EPMD’s Parrish Smith, and Jairobi from A Tribe Called Quest, couldn’t decide on a clear cut winner. Finally after the third round concluded and much more haggling, they made a decisive choice and awarded the crown to the San Francisco native.

See photos from the 2010 International Human Beatbox Convention and U.S. Beatbox Championship

FriScO, who’s been beatboxing for roughly three years but only competing in his third competition, became inspired by a friend he saw performing and from watching Rahzel and Kenny Muhammad on YouTube, performances that helped raise beatboxing to a higher level of worldwide appreciation. Clearly taken aback by the whole experience and grinning from ear to ear, FriScO reflected on his achievement.

“It’s amazing. It’s just an amazing feeling. It’s my first ever championship and I’m just overwhelmed. I don’t know what to say, man.  I can’t believe it. The crowd was amazing. This whole event was amazing.”

Beatboxing according to humanbeatbox.com is defined as: The art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one’s mouth, lips, tongue, voice, nasal passage and throat.

And it is an art. For those that have only experienced beatboxing through the skills of Doug E. Fresh and Biz Markie, you might be pleasantly surprised at how the talent of making music with your mouth has evolved.

The night started with each finalist enthusiastically displaying their varied skills in the first round. The second round contestants were asked to cover a pre-selected track to incorporate into their routine. In an impressive demonstration of a multi-genre mashup, The Human Drum Machine wowed the crowd by doing his interpretation of The Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop”.

The third round had each beatboxer composing their music over a pre-selected acapella and then top four finalists squared off in the semifinals. B. Flow was matched with FriScO and HeaveN went up against Maximillian. The other competitors, Human Drum Machine, One Mouth Band, LuckeyMonkey and nycbeatbox all performed admirably, but came up short.

New Jersey’s Hasan Salaam, the talented MC who has previously graced the BirthplaceMag e-pages, hosted the event, appearing truly awed by the competitors who took the stage and showed off their incredible skills.

“It’s an honor to be here. The level of competition, it’s ridiculous, man,” Salaam stated. “From the days when you was a kid and was trying to imitate The Fat Boys and Doug E. Fresh or something like that, to the level of artistry and creativity that people rock with the beatbox nowadays, it’s ridiculous. Everybody that was up here had their own unique skill level.”

See photos from the 2010 International Human Beatbox Convention and U.S. Beatbox Championship

nycbeatbox lasted three rounds before getting eliminated, but was just ecstatic about being here and competing in his first ever competition.

“I’ve been Beatboxing for five and half years,” he explained. “Just the fact that you can express yourself, that’s what really attracted me to it. It feels great. Everyone is so, so talented. I’m just blessed to even be here.”

As for his future in beatboxing, nycbeatbox is taking it one day at a time. “I’m kind of riding it out and see where it takes me. I just know that I love it and love will take me there. That’s what really matters. If you love it, then it will take care of you. “

Kudos go out to Chesney Snow for his passion and his work in making this an extremely successful event and showing that the art form of  beatboxing is still a relevant and exciting element  of hip hop culture.

The Human Drum Machine – The Ramones “Blitzkreig Bop”

1st U.S. Beatbox Championship winner FriScO