Briezzy Cool Writer
Beat boxing, sometimes known simply as b-boxing, is one of the most happening arts right now. An important element in the hip-hop, beat boxing is proving to be most popular in the urban culture. Those who are not in the know, beat boxing is an art that involves vocal percussion.
A beat boxer produces extraordinary drum beats and musical sounds with the mouth, lips, tongue and voice.
And the coolest part is that you do not need any expensive gadgets or equipment. Your mouth is enough.
Guests attending the launch of Gtel mobile’s A717 Explorer last week experienced what it is all about as one boy showed them just how much talent Zim teens have.
Shoulders were bouncing and screams could be heard as the young man rendered his own versions of songs like “Controversy” by Winky D, “Billy Jean” by Michael Jackson and the national anthem. It was undoubtedly the coolest act of the night.
The person at the centre of the happy noise was 18-year-old Takudzwa Denzel Badwell Masho- nganyika. When he is controlling the stage, they call him Probeatz.
“Any song can be ‘beat boxed’ to produce an even tighter version. All that one needs to make it hot is skill. It is easy and there are no side effects to it. Once you master, it becomes more like speaking,” he said.
An O-Level student at a local college in Harare, Probeatz has been in the beat box game for three years. His inspiration comes from rhythm producers such as Swizz Beatz, Timberland, David Guetta, Calvin Harris and local artiste Xander.
“I found my passion for beat boxing at a tender age through watching beat box videos. I also experimented with melodies, but my work is getting better with practice,” he said.
True to his words, he has become a pro. So great has been his act that he is getting recognition in a market where beat boxing is little known. People who hear him perform fall in love with beat boxing immediately.
“I have wowed crowds in different platforms like any other entertainer. I was a first runner- up of Zimbo Talent 2012 Awards. I also have a Star Brite Special Talent Award from last year,” he said
It was his involvement with Star Brite that opened doors exposing him to the team at local mobile handset company Gtel. Then they commissioned him to produce jingles.
Probeatz performed at the opening ceremony of the 2013 edition of Hifa. And he is just getting warmed up.
“I am currently working on my first beat boxing album, which will probably be a first in Zimbabwe. It is called The bEatBusness. I am also into rapping and dancing, something that comes to me easily since I love hip-hop,” he said.
As far as the future is concerned, Probeatz has a vision to be the president of his own beat boxing academy.
“In the next two years, I would like to spread my knowledge of the art to young people with a keen interest in it. I plan to start with the basics before turning to competitions,” he said.
It is only a matter of time before Probeatz becomes a household name in Zimbabwe and beyond.