2010 International Human Beatbox Convention, July 30-August 1, at Littlefield, Brooklyn

The 2010 International Human Beatbox Convention, or BOXCON 2010, is an annual international beatboxing convention, currently in its sixth year. The three day event, spanning July 30, 31 and August 1, will take place at Littlefield, in Brooklyn.

The weekend-long event kicks off Friday night with a press party that is open to the public. Winners of the “Street Sounds” short films competition will be screened, and there will be plenty of audience beatbox participation. Live performances are scheduled, by renowned percussionists and beatboxers Swiss Chris, Stephanie Rooker and Ben Tyree, Hobbit, Alyson Greenfield, World Beatbox Association co-founder Chesney Snow with DJ Reborn providing a musical backdrop.

Ball-Zee, at BoxCon 2009

Saturday, DJ Leanna and DJ Ilya from Project Reach Youth, a Park Slope, Brooklyn based youth organization, will hold down the 1s and 2s leading up to the international open mic, featuring beatboxers and performance artists such as Hasan Salaam, Matya Azucena, Masai Electro and Swiss Chris.

The 1st American Beatbox Championships commence in the evening, hosted by NJ hip hop aritst Hasan Salaam, will feature eight national finalists, Heaven Beatbox, Maximillian, Luckey Monkey, B. Flow, Frisco, One Mouth Band, NYCBeatbox and Human Drum Machine. Judging the event, music notables Jarobi White (A Tribe Called Quest), Parrish Smith (EPMD), Kenny Muhammad, Swiss Chris and, just added, Jean Grae and the inimitable Rahzel.

Sunday ends the event with beatboxing exhibitions and showcases, featuring international talent such as EmileYX and DJ Angelo and the Stone Forest Ensemble with DJ Hard Hitting Harry handling the wheels of steel.

Talking with Chesney Snow about the importance of the event series, he states, “We don’t want the story of beatboxing to be rewritten.” Staying true to the artform, and its roots, was the catalyst for bringing the international competiton to New York City. “We want to remind people what streets beatboxing came from,” Snow continues. “Remind people that it comes from hip hop. That’s why it was so important to have it in New York.”

Visit www.beatboxconvention.com or www.americanbeatboxchampionships.com for more information, and to buy tickets.

Birthplace Magazine (www.BirthplaceMag.com) is proud to be a sponsor of the 2010 International Human Beatbox Convention. We’ll see you there!

Footage from BoxCon 2009