Event

Rahzel

Probably best known in the semi-mainstream world as a member of the Roots, Rahzel is the undisputed Godfather of Noyze and has re-defined the beat box. A self-defined vocal percussionist, Rahzel (which rhymes with gazelle) has perfectly mastered this quintessential hip-hop art form and has emerged as a true virtuoso. To hear him is to be converted. Rahzel has in fact mastered the art of beatboxing to the degree that he is able to recreate full songs, with accompaniment by himself without instrumentation, able to sing a chorus and provide a backing beat simultaneously, able to invoke impressions of singers and rappers on a whim.

If you close your eyes you would swear that you were hearing a record, a radio, or a band, he says.

A collage of almost every musical genre, Rahzel actively discourages classification of his sound, attempting to remain on the eclectic edge of commercial music.

With my vocal percussions, I want to bridge the gap among various musical genres, he explains. I want the beat box to be respected as a true art form.

Considering that he has performed with jazzman Branford Marsalis, African superstar MeShell NDegeocello, Bjork, and The Crystal Method, among others, its clear beat boxing is an important musical art form that spans genres.