2010 Online Battle Judges
Kenny Muhammad
Kenny Muhammad is one of the most highly regarded beatboxers on the planet. Coming from the second wave of beatboxers in the late 1980's, he needs no introduction to those in the scene. A true beatbox legend.
Pioneering routines such as the 'Wind Technique' and 'Trans Beat Box Express' are still the starting block for every new beatboxer, his crisps sounds and rock solid timing are the epitome of the 'Human Beatbox'! Kenny is a co-founder of the World Beatbox Association (WBA).
Archangel
Jim Wilde aka Archangel, is the owner of Humanbeatbox.com, the world's biggest beatbox website/community. As the organizer of the Vauxhall UK Beatbox Championships and the International Beatbox Convention (Boxcon), he is immersed at the very heart of the current global beatbox scene.
As well as running the 5th Element Beatboxer Agency, he produces breakbeats under the moniker Jim Reaper. Jim is a co-founder of the World Beatbox Association (WBA).
Chesney Snow
Chesney Snow is a highly respected NYC beatboxer having worked the scene for years. He brings his talent to bear in many arenas from events, to stage, recordings and workshops. He is that rare breed of performer, one with talent, humility and a huge heart.
Currently promoting the new Beat Kangz Beat Thang, Chesney is also a co-founder World Beatbox Association (WBA).
Masai Electro
When people speak of Masai Electro in the beatboxing world, the word legend quickly follows. As a young beatboxer back in the 80's Masai was opening for performers like Will Smith and Biz Markie.
Masai hasn't stopped since, whether working with Missy Elliot or the Neptunes or spitting fire on commercials he continues to set bars on the microphone with the flawlessness of his special effects.
Guest Judges - Solo Round
Shockwave
The only beatboxer with a national broadcast TV show! Playing Shock in the narrative format of PBS's The Electric Company, Chris “Shockwave” Sullivan served as a producer of his short-form green screen and live-action segment.
For the last five years, Sullivan has also produced comedy and music shows throughout New York City including The BEATdown at Mo Pitkins and The Upright Citizen Brigade Theater, The MIXTAPE at The Ars Nova Theater, The 8-Track at The Green Room at 45 Bleecker and Character Dogville at The People's Improv Theater.
Shodekeh
“You expect a beatboxer to be able to rock the microphone when backing an MC. You don't expect that same human polyrhythm machine to accent female singer/songwriters with such deft subtlety. Or to match wits with jazz musicians. Or to solo provide the music for university dance classes. Or to be the poster boy for the city's most adventurous experimental music festival. But that's exactly what local beatboxer Shodekeh does.”
- Bret McCabe, The City Paper Best of Baltimore, “Best Accompanist”, 2007.
Guest Judges - Backing an MC Round
Seme Rock
Whether it's in the studio working with other artists or live on stage, SEME ROCK always brings something unique to the table. Point blank, when Seme hits the stage, the crowd is bound to go nuts. From cover songs to fully original material, Seme integrates crowd participation and raw performance into an act that leaves the audience captivated.
Aside from the musical arts, Seme is also an internationally published visual & graffiti artist.
Toni Blackman
Toni is an international champion of hip-hop culture, known for the irresistible, contagious energy of her performances and for her alluring female presence. She's all heart, all rhythm, all song, all power, a one-woman revolution of poetry and microphone.
An award-winning artist, her steadfast work and commitment to hip-hop led the U.S. Department of State to select her to work as the first ever hip-hop artist to work as an American Cultural Specialist.
Hasan Salaam
Hasan is respected internationally as one of Hip Hop's most powerful underground MC's. He has shared the stage with the artists such as Dead Prez, Common, Busta Rhymes, Saigon, Talib Kweli, The Rza, The Gza and Slick Rick to name a few.
In '07 he was on the "Red Gone Wild Tour" with Redman, rocking live with the legendary Afrika Bambaataa on the wheels cutting up instrumentals. He's without doubt a rare gem in the east coast hip hop scene.
Guest Judges - Covers Round
Adam Matta
Adam Matta is a human beatboxer and vocal performance artist from New York City. His style fuses elements of hip-hop, rock electronic, jazz, contemporary and Middle Eastern music, sometimes all in the same composition.
His music has appeared on NPR's Morning Edition, Weekend Edition and All Things Considered, in Benson Lee's documentary "Planet B-Boy" and in "The L Word."
Joshua Silverstein
Los Angeles Native Joshua Silverstein has been impacting the creative arts scene for some time now. He has enriched this community through many media such as visual art, theater, poetry, and beatboxing. While being a vessel for Jazz, Funk, Blues and Soul, through time Joshua has graciously earned the title as the "hardest working beatboxer in LA".
Currently he is working on his own album titled "Peace of Mine. A Joshua Compilation" which is due to be released this year.