Semerock Interview

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1.  How old are you?

I'm 34 years old

2.  Where are you from?

I'm originally from Syracuse, New York but currently reside in New Haven, Connecticut.

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

I've been beatboxing since I was 13 years old, so...21 years.

4.  What got you into Beatboxing?

I was born into the hip-hop scene since day one, all 5 elements and beatboxing came right along with it. My first real exposure to beatboxing was Darren Robinson aka: Buffy from the Fat Boys & the movie Beat Street with Doug E. Fresh. I used to idolize Buffy, actually I still do. His sound was utterly remarkable. To me, Buffy was one of the greatest of all times. I often wonder what kind of stuff he would be doing if he was still alive today. RIP Buff.

5.  What type of equipment do you have?

Right now I use the PS-04 Zoom Palmtop Studio and a Shure SM58 Microphone. That's pretty much it for me. I tend to concentrate more on live performances, so my studio equipment is minimal.

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

Yes indeed. I perform a lot infact. I try and do at least 3 shows a month, more if the opportunities arise. The scene in NYC is unreal at the moment, so I tend to gravitate towards shows in the city more and more lately. The vibe is wicked in NYC and we have a very large crew of beatboxers that perform regularly together. It's unbelievable what happens when you get us all on stage together at a show. Plus the crowd's in NY are so receptive to hip-hop. nothing but love in the big apple.

7.  How do you feel about the Beatboxing movement?

I love it. It's an art form that keeps gaining momentum and creativity. I'm amazed every single time I hear new skills and new beatboxers.

8.  Who is your favourite Beatboxer?

Woah, that's a hard one. I have so many favourites.  Okay, from the oldschool: Buffy, Greg Nice, Doug E. Fresh, Ready Rock C & JockBox of the Skinny Boys. From the New School: Masai Electro, DJ Scratch, Baba Israel, Abra & Many More.

9.  What other stuff (besides Beatboxing) are you involved in?

I am still 100% into all 5 elements of the hip-hop culture. I have been since it's inception, Hip-Hop moulded me and changed my life forever. It made me who and what I am today, I will never lose sight of that.  I am also an avid & active Graffiti artist and part of The Hicrew Mafia. I still paint burners with my crew whenever & wherever I get the chance. for more info on our graffiti, check out www.hicrew.com . I am also a Magician and slight of hand artist. I was the youngest magician every voted into the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
 

10.  What are your future Beatboxing goals?

My future goals as of now are to perform as much as possible around the country and to work on as many studio projects as possible. at the moment, I am working with many different artists. Green Acres, Pistol Pete, Logic, Dead by Wednesday & Kris Keyes.

                           Photo By: Kate Geruntho

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

Yup! Fantan Mojah, he is my all time favourite reggae artist. I have this fascination with reggae music that just won't quit. My dream is to record and perform with Fantan Mojah. I'm gonna try my best to see that through.... so wish me luck, okay!

12.  What are your musical influences?

Oldschool Hip-Hop, Jazz, Funk, Reggae & Rock.

13.  Does anyone else in your family beatbox?

Nope, No one, I am the oddball of the family so-to-speak.

14.  Where's your favourite spot to beatbox? In the shower?

Heh, Well Lately my favourite place to beatbox or perform is in NYC. Especially the Bowery Poetry Club and the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and of course in the shower. I stay in there extra long just for practice, ya know?

                       Photo By: Kate Geruntho

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

Possibly last friday night at the bowery poetry club with my crew BBE & 3rd party. and a project I recently worked on for a MTV commercial with Kidlucky, Chesney Snow, Baba Israel, Akeia, D-Cross & Adam Matta, that was the shit. and one hell of a learning experience for all of us involved. be on the lookout for that soon.

Also the night last year when BBE performed with DJ Scratch in NYC, that was incredible. DJ Scratch is unreal.

As far as solo Beatboxing Memories, Last winter I decided to enter a DJ contest / battle at Toad's Place in New Haven, CT. I called the producer of the show to enter my name in the battle and he asked me "what will you be using, cd's or records?" of course I answered.... "NEITHER" so he knew right off the bat I was a human beatboxer. When I showed up, I didn't reveal to anyone else what I was about to do, so they all thought I was just another DJ about to battle with records or cd's. My turn came and I stepped up on stage and got behind the turntables. I even had some records with me and  pretended to be getting everything ready. I set the record on the turntable, started "scratching" and then SLOWLY walked away from behind the Turntables to reveal that it was actually my mouth producing the scratches and NOT the record at all. The crowd went absolutely bezerk due to the build up and shock and I won the battle.

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

Listen and learn... practice constantly. Study all styles until your own style develops and never be scared to ask questions..... each one teach one, that's the rule. If you have a skill like beatboxing, pass it down to others. There's no textbooks dedicated to this artform so we all need to be teachers and keep this thing moving forward. That has always been a strong part of the hip-hop culture & it's progression.

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

Right now I am totally digging what my band "Green Acres" is doing. I work with two other incredibly talented individuals in Green Acres, Kris Keyes & Mr Grynch. Kris Keyes has a voice, style and range that I've yet to hear from any other artist I've worked with thus far. and Mr. Grynch is our DJ & Producer, he is ridiculous when it comes to bringing out the best in all three of us. We have been performing, recording and building together for more than a year now and together we have grown as artists and as a band. Our first album is finally completed and ready to be released in 2006. entitled: Light of a Thousand Suns. I am very excited about that. Our sound is totally unique and combines many different styles and genres together to create something positive and creative.

I also am totally into what our crew BBE is doing with "Nu Voices". Nu Voices is a 19+ member beatbox orchestra founded by mastermind, Kidlucky. The energy that comes from all of us collabing together on stage is insane.

Kidlucky, Masai Electro & Myself are also currently working together to form "The Vocalcutioners" a 3 piece beatbox / vocal turntablists crew. battle dj's beware.

                              Photo By: Kate Geruntho

18.  Any Shout-Outs?

Certainly, I'd like to give a shout out to my crew Green Acres, My entire Beatboxer Entertainment family,  The Hicrew, Kidlucky, Chesney Snow, DJ TRS 1, REO, Abra, Pistol Pete, Logic the Butcher, 3rd Party, Open Thought, Adam Matta, Masai Electro, Scottbox, Nicoluminous, and you Kernal for being the frontman & founder of this incredible beatbox site and forum... thanks my brotha!