Roman Interview

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1.  How old are you?

I’m 25

2.  Where are you from?

Well, I currently live in Cocoa Beach Florida, but I’ve lived all over, Sacramento, Portland even England for a few years.

3.  How long have you've been Beatboxing for?

About 6 years.

4.  What got you into Beatboxing?

My love of music combined with my love for hip hop culture. I was a b-boy for 7 yrs and I’ve been addicted to musical instruments my entire life. Weather it was bongos, harmonicas, guitars, drum machines, turntables or even ukuleles the more unique the better. I came across the “new school” of beatboxing while looking up harmonica techniques, oddly enough. I typed in “breath control” and my musical interest flip upside, when I found an article on beatboxing. I was hooked instantly.

5.  What type of equipment do you have?

Equipment? Um, I have an SM 58 mic and that’s about it. One of the things that hooked me, about beatboxing, is its simplicity and the fact that it can be done anywhere. It originated from cats not having “equipment” or beats to rap over. So I try to keep it as raw as possible but still push its boundaries.
 

6.  Have you ever done any live shows, events, concerts?

Yes a few. I would have to say that my favorite was touring in China doing promotions for Hennessey Liquor. People always wonder how I got hooked up with Hennessey. Well I was woken up one morning by a phone call, the voice on the other end was rather hard to understand, but what I did here was Hennessy... China… Tour … 10days … Beatboxing. Turns out a marketing agent for Hennessy had come across my site and decided he wanted me to come out and promote their new drink, VSOP. Aside from that, I’ve performed in a variety of shows here in the states. I started off doing open-mics in Sacramento. These weren’t exactly hip hop open mics. I would go anywhere; biker bars, coffee houses, karaoke, old folks homes whatever. Doing open mics is when I realized how versatile beatboxing is. I never once got a negative response no matter what age, ethnic background, or social status they all love the beatbox. Then I found out about the Vowel Movement in San Francisco, 3 hrs away from where I lived. Once a month I would make the 6hr round trip journey just to get on a mic for about 5 mins. It was always worth the trip. The Vowel Movement is the only gathering of its kind in the U.S., lets just say when 14 or so beatboxers get together to put on a show amazing things happen. Then I went off to the 2003 HumanBeatbox Convention in NY, hosted Kid Lucky. Besides having my hotel reservations cancelled with out me knowing, and having to sleep on Kid Lucky’s wood floor for 3 days, it was an amazing time. I just want to say I wasn’t the only one on that floor though. Kid Lucky and his wife had 5 beatboxers crashing in their one bedroom apt. There’s a reason he’s the #1 promoter of beatboxing in the US. I met cats from New Zealand, Russia, England, Canada etc just showing that beatboxing is an international language. After NY, I eventually moved down to Orlando Florida where I entered my first battle and won, beating some cat from Miami and then an Orlando favorite Rubox. I’ve also done Hot Import Nights in Sacramento and Miami, The California and Florida State Fairs. Most commonly I do the standard hip hop show with a few emcees.

7.  How do you feel about the Beatboxing Movement?

Beatboxing is about to blow up, no doubt about it. It’s the next b-boying (breakdancing). B-boying died out in the mid 80’s and has recently come in to its own these past 5 yrs. I think beatboxing is already pretty big overseas, and it is going to reach new limits here in the states very soon.

8.  Who have you performed with?

In China I toured with DJ Keri (ex playboy model) and my boy Mikee Mic. I’ve shared the stage with DMC Champ DJ SPS and beatboxers such as Each, Kid Beyond, Poisonus, Kid Lucky, and Kenny Mohammad. I’ve guess I’ve pretty much stayed solo most I’ve my career though.
 

9.  Who is your favorite Beatboxer?

Mikee Mic. Not many know of him or have heard his stuff, because he doesn’t post much online, but he will be the big name in years to come.

10.  What are your future Beatboxing Goals?

Right now I am working on my first Album which will contain over 15 crazy beatbox collaborations with artist from all over the globe. I am in talks with Micism, and they are very interested in sponsoring the CD. Once the album drops, January 06 time frame, I will then begin production on a DVD. My actual goal as far as beatboxing, is to promote the sport to as many people as possible so that even your little sisters will be doing kicks and snares. My personal dream as a beatboxer is to be able to perform fulltime and pay my bills.

11.  Is there anyone you would love to work with?

I have much respect for underground hip hop. A couple artists I would like to colab with are Sage Francis, Slug from Atmosphere, Living Legends, Jedi Mind Tricks and Swollen Members. As far as pop stars um Eminem or Nas would be interesting.
 

12.  What are your musical influences?

From an early age I was influenced by salsa music. I am Puerto Rican, so as I kid I would be woken up every weekend by thumping salsa music. Growing up my musical taste grew from James Brown to Sublime. Reggae has always been one of my all time favorites, thus Robert Nesta Marley is an Idol to me. As a b-boy I went through a breakbeat, electronica phase. Now I pretty much listen to anything that tickles my eardrum. Let’s see Eyedea, Damian Marley, Stevie Wonder, Atmosphere, Eminem, Lyrics Born, Blackalicious, John Brown’s Body…. I could go on.

13.  Describe what Beatbox means to you?

Beatbox to me means, freedom. It is the freedom to express yourself to anyone, no matter what language they speak, or where they’re from.
 

14.  What do you like better: Freestyle or Layering?

Freestyling, no doubt. Freestyle is the true test of skill.

15.  What's the best Beatboxing memory that you have?

My entire beatbox career has been a great memory. The NY Convention always stands out in my mind. Those 3 days in NY were a beatboxers dream. Everything from being on the same stage with Kenny Mohammad to beatboxing on the street corner, in front of CBGBs, with 4 or 5 of the best beatboxers in the world. And of course China was out of this world, I would try to speak to the Chinese but the only thing they really understood was my beats.

16.  What advice do you give to someone who is wants to get into Beatboxing?

Keep it simple. Don’t try to go too fast. Stay on beat. Develop your own style. Practice doesn’t make perfect. PERFECT Practice makes perfect… think bout it.
 

17.  What the best collaboration you've done with Beatboxing?

Haha, you will hear them all when my album drops! Stay tuned! The Album will be titled “I’m the Beatboxer, They’re the Rappers”
 

18.  How do you think you compare to other Beatboxers?

Um, Honestly I don’t listen to many other beatboxers. But comparing to those that I have listened to, I don’t do as many pop covers and I’m constantly switching up my rhythm every 16 bars or so instead of trying to “play” a whole song. I also strive to create my own unique style so that when someone hears my stuff they immediately say ” hey, that’s Roman”. I guess I still have the b-boy mentality when it comes to biting other people’s styles or moves. I just noticed early on, what I call IMOK groupies, and I just didn’t want to follow that route. If I hear another attempt at “If your mother only knew” I will puke. I respect Rahzel but I don’t swing from his jock. If your mother doesn’t know by now she never will.

19.  What do you think about Beatboxing.com?

I love it. It is exactly what we need here in the states, to blow up the scene. Respect to Kid Lucky and his staff.

20.  Any Shout-Outs?

Just a few. To the beatbox people I have respect for Kid Lucky, Kid Beyond (Vowel Movement founder) Mikee Mic, Each, Poisonus, Rubox, Tim Barskey, Micism.com Staff, A Plus ( the guy who started hbb.com) and Tyte.