The Beatbox Revolution: The First 3 Masters Of The Art
Beat Box


Friday October 27 2023, 11:06 PM Miscellaneous

Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion that involves imitating drum sounds and other musical instruments using one's mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. It is a popular element of hip-hop culture, but it can also be found in other genres and traditions. In this blog post, we will name the three first beatboxers in order, with the name and date of their first music release, and the date and place of their first appearance. We will also include video of their work.

The First Beatboxers

According to some sources, the term "beatbox" comes from the slang name for non-programmable drum machines that were used in the early days of hip-hop. The first human beatboxers were inspired by these machines and tried to emulate their sounds with their mouths. However, vocal percussion techniques have a much longer history, dating back to various cultures and regions around the world.

In the early to mid-1980s, three names stand out as the pioneers of modern beatboxing: Darren "Buffy" Robinson, Doug E. Fresh, and Biz Markie. They were all from Brooklyn, New York, and they influenced each other and many other artists with their innovative skills.

Darren "Buffy" Robinson

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Darren "Buffy" Robinson was a member of the rap group The Fat Boys, along with Mark Morales and Damon Wimbley. He was also known as "The Human Beat Box" or "The Prince of Hip Hop". He was one of the first to use his mouth as a bass instrument, creating deep and powerful sounds that complemented the raps of his partners. He was also able to imitate various sound effects, such as sirens, helicopters, and explosions.

The Fat Boys released their first album in 1984, titled "Fat Boys". It featured songs such as "Jail House Rap", "Stick 'Em", and "Can You Feel It?". The album was a success, selling over 300,000 copies in its first year. The Fat Boys also appeared in several movies, such as "Krush Groove", "Disorderlies", and "The Disorderlies".

Buffy's first appearance as a beatboxer was in 1983, when he performed with The Fat Boys at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. They won a talent contest that launched their career. Buffy is widely regarded as one of the greatest beatboxers of all time, and he influenced many others, such as Rahzel, Kenny Muhammad, and Scratch.

Buffy died in 1995 at the age of 28 from a heart attack. He is remembered as a legend in the hip-hop community.

Doug E. Fresh

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Doug E. Fresh is a rapper and beatboxer who is known as "The Original Human Beat Box" or "The World's Greatest Entertainer". He is famous for his ability to imitate drum machines and create complex rhythms with his mouth. He is also known for his signature sound, which is a high-pitched click that he makes by sucking air into his mouth.

Doug E. Fresh released his first single in 1983, titled "Pass the Budda". It featured Spoonie Gee and DJ Spivey. The single was not very successful, but it showcased Doug's beatboxing skills. His breakthrough came in 1985, when he released "The Show" and "La Di Da Di", two songs that featured Slick Rick as his partner. These songs became classics in hip-hop history, and they are still widely sampled and referenced today.

Doug's first appearance as a beatboxer was in 1981, when he performed at Harlem World in New York City. He was only 14 years old at the time, but he impressed the crowd with his talent. Doug has continued to perform and record throughout his career, collaborating with artists such as Biz Markie, Run-DMC, MC Hammer, and Ludacris.

Doug is still active in the music industry, and he is also involved in various social and educational causes. He is considered one of the pioneers and innovators of beatboxing and hip-hop culture.

Biz Markie

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Biz Markie is a rapper and beatboxer who is known as "The Clown Prince of Hip Hop" or "The Diabolical Biz Markie". He is famous for his humorous and witty lyrics, his off-key singing, and his versatile beatboxing skills. He can imitate various sounds, such as horns, guitars, bells, and animals.

Biz Markie released his first album in 1988, titled "Goin' Off". It featured songs such as "Make the Music with Your Mouth, Biz", "Nobody Beats the Biz", and "Vapors". The album was well-received by critics and fans, and it established Biz as a unique and charismatic artist. His most successful album was "The Biz Never Sleeps", which came out in 1989. It featured his biggest hit, "Just a Friend", which reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Biz's first appearance as a beatboxer was in 1985, when he performed with Roxanne Shanté at the Apollo Theater in New York City. He was part of the Juice Crew, a collective of rappers and producers that included Big Daddy Kane, Marley Marl, MC Shan, and Kool G Rap. Biz has also worked with artists such as Beastie Boys, Will Smith, Snoop Dogg, and Ke$ha.

Biz is still active in the music industry, and he is also a popular actor and comedian. He has appeared in movies, TV shows, and commercials. He is regarded as one of the most influential and entertaining beatboxers and rappers of all time.

Conclusion

Beatboxing is a fascinating art form that has a rich and diverse history. It has evolved from simple vocal imitation to complex musical expression. It has also influenced and been influenced by various genres and cultures. The three first beatboxers that we named in this blog post are Darren "Buffy" Robinson, Doug E. Fresh, and Biz Markie. They are the pioneers who shaped the modern style of beatboxing and inspired generations of artists. They are also legends in the hip-hop community and beyond.

We hope you enjoyed this blog post and learned something new about beatboxing. If you want to hear some beatboxing sounds and music, you can check out these tracks below.

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