Human Orchestra

I love the story behind Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. A traveler from the future comes back in time to save two absolute morons from failing their history class so that they will not be separated from each other (Ted would be sent to military school by his dad) so that they can stay in their band Wyld Stallyns to revolutionize society by the power of their "excellent" music. Will any of the present forms of music have such an effect on future society? Highly unlikely. Although the power of music is without a doubt something that is still a mysterious force, it will probably not be the key to overcome our nasty human habits.

Nevertheless, a particular form of music has had a major effect on modern day society and has spawned a number of very interesting sub-cultures. Yes, I am talking about Hip Hop. It is true that most of the commercial artists, songs and videos of this particular genre are sexist, overly materialistic, homophobic and criminal. At the same time we do have a number of artists out there that still support the core values of the initial movement: creating a cultural platform for youths in the ghettos to express themselves rather than participating in gang violence. Hip Hop in it's roots was a movement by the people for the people, sharing their problems with society and ways to cope with them. The music resulted in the four so called classic Elements of the culture: MCing, DJing, B-boying (break dancing) and Tagging (graffiti). Extended elements are Beatboxing, Hip Hop fashion and the Slang. While most of these elements have been somewhat visible to the main stream, it has been one of the most impressive elements of Hip Hop that has just recently gained the acclaim that it deserves - Beatboxing.

Beatboxing is the art of producing music out of thin air. Beatboxers do not have any instrument to their disposal, however imitate them all with - well their vocal chords, lungs, lips, tongue, throat, nose and anything else that is part of their body capable of creating sounds (without being nasty). The pioneers of this art have been Doug E. Fresh (who we unfortunately lost to Scientology), Biz Markie and the Fat Boys (mainly Buffy, who initially coined the term). Since the 1980's not many people got into contact with this art until it reached the main stream through icons like Rahzel from the Roots, Killa Kela and Kenny Muhammad - the Human Orchestra.

To me the real push of the Fifth Element of the Hip Hop culture into the main stream has happened with the creation of the YouTubes of this world. Online Beatboxing videos spread virally reaching more than millions of viewers. Modern day artists have mushroomed from the ground and it seems that the sophistication of the art from is increasing exponentially from generation to generation.

I had the pleasure to witness the magic of Beardyman the current UK beatboxing champion live and was blown away!