Many of them started competing online during the lockdowns. Today, more and more British beatboxers are competing on stage in concert-style battles.
They seem capable of producing any sound with their mouths: in England, beatboxers, many of whom started on social networks, now compete on stage in concert-style battles. And there are more and more of them.
According to Alex Hackett, a 30-year-old Briton known as “Abh” in the beatboxing world, anyone can beatbox.
This musical genre, which has existed for centuries in various cultures and in different forms, emerged with the explosion of hip-hop in the 1970s and 1980s. In England, it is growing thanks to newcomers after the confinements .
Artists who met online during lockdowns
“In 10 or 15 minutes, everyone can get started,” assures Alex Hackett, launching into hyper-rhythmic sounds, like percussion, but produced just with his mouth. “You can let out all the creativity within you without needing anything external”completes Tommy Lewis or “Tmy”, who lives in London. “You can really put out some amazing sounds.”
From the stage, during a competition in Tamworth, near Birmingham (central England), an impressive variety of rhythms rises, to the point that it is difficult to believe that there are no ‘music instrument.
Many of these artists met online, during lockdowns, during the Covid-19 pandemic, says Vic Brown, president of New Urban Era, which organized the Tamworth competition.
“Many started doing ‘battles’ online and then progressed and now they are coming into the beatboxing scene and starting to enjoy the community,” he explains.
Very few girls
These artists sometimes come from far away, like Luke Chong who arrives from Singapore. “I met a lot of people, saw a lot of new faces and learned a lot of techniques and skills,” rejoices this 23-year-old man, who calls himself “Handfx”.
In France, beatbox is already “a large-scale phenomenon”says Alex Hackett. “France is tearing everything apart”, he continues. But the British have a particular style, “truly incredible bass music”inspired by all the genres invented in the country.
However, this musical style does not seem to inspire women. At the Tamworth competition there wasn’t a single one. “It’s something we’re trying to improve.”explains Vic Brown.