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MC Zani Interview
RnB/Hip Hop | Wednesday 7th December 2011 | Osh
In 2008 he became the Vauxhall UK Beatboxing Champion right here in London. Three years later he now sits on the judging panel for the same reputed competition. However MC Zani insists that just about anyone can beatbox...
Then how did you get into beatboxing?
Well when I was 14 I started MCing when Garage was big and my cousin showed me a CD of Rahzel a really sick beatboxer from back then and was a beatboxer for The Roots. I was actually blown away as when I used to play the drums I would make these noises and then I heard that this guy was doing everything together like beatboxing, singing and bass lines and couldn’t believe it was true. So I started practising as a hobby and when I used to play at a pirate radio station I used to incorporate a bit of beatboxing here and there and I used to MC over it and people used to say like ‘Oh your getting quite good’. So I kept practicing and practicing and before I knew it someone was asking me if I wanted to do a gig as a beatboxer. It was a lot of fun and once you get the bug of beatboxing, you can’t stop.
So do you think there is a certain skill that you need?
No anyone can beatbox, I teach kids and all ages.
You can teach me then?!
Yeah for sure, I will! It helps if you have rhythm as you can nod your head to the beat. Also the good thing about it is that you can do it anywhere! The good thing about it is that you always have your mouth with you so you can do it anywhere, on the bus, in the street...anywhere!
What do you do that makes you a good beatboxer?
Nowadays there are so many dope beatboxers, at first it was all about getting clear sound but now I have been doing it for so long I can get the complete package. Now for me knowing what the crowd wants is the most important thing and being able to rock the crowd and having the balance of being charismatic, energy and knowing what the crowd want.
A lot of people claim to be the best, Rahzel, Killa Killa, Beardyman...who is on top for you?
For me I like a lot of different people for different reasons, technically the best right now would have to be this new young guy called Skilla he absolutely ridiculous, in terms of versatility there’s Reeps 1 who’s the current UK Number One. Also Beardyman in terms of his show is amazing he can rock a crowd easily for a couple of hours.
In 2008 you won the Vauxhall UK Beatbox Championship, this must have been a big achievement?
Yeah it was crazy to finally win it was special and I won a car which was pretty cool. I gave it to my mum though!
Are you excited for this year’s competition?
Yeah I’m really excited I feel really honoured to be on the panel this year because I did it last year so i didn't think I'd be able to do it again, the panel's really good and the line up’s looking sweet as well so i cant wait. Reeps 1 is defending and there is a lot of talent out there so it’s gonna be really exciting!
I think what a lot of people want to know is about the judging techniques, is it true that this used to be based on the crowd reaction?
It used to be completely on crowd reaction, but it was unfair because one guy would bring a bus load of his mates and the other person would have no support. So now it’s much more based on technique, musicality, originality, charisma. Now its a whole criteria of different things
You’ve supported some big names, what has been your favourite gig?
When I went to Australia touring with Jay Sean the lineup was ridiculous Kelly Rowland, Pitbull and all these sort of people were all on the plane, so it was cool hanging out with all those guys. Also when I went to America, that was pretty cool as I got to play at Madison Square Gardens, which is an amazing venue.
If you had a swimming pool filled with anything what would it be?
Wow, food and drink, I'd have to say Ribena with some Nando’s chicken on the side as well.
What is your motto in life?
Keep inspired, you’ve just gotta keep going in life. There’s always another day to do things better.
For more information on MC Zani check out www.myspace.com/mczani
Then how did you get into beatboxing?
Well when I was 14 I started MCing when Garage was big and my cousin showed me a CD of Rahzel a really sick beatboxer from back then and was a beatboxer for The Roots. I was actually blown away as when I used to play the drums I would make these noises and then I heard that this guy was doing everything together like beatboxing, singing and bass lines and couldn’t believe it was true. So I started practising as a hobby and when I used to play at a pirate radio station I used to incorporate a bit of beatboxing here and there and I used to MC over it and people used to say like ‘Oh your getting quite good’. So I kept practicing and practicing and before I knew it someone was asking me if I wanted to do a gig as a beatboxer. It was a lot of fun and once you get the bug of beatboxing, you can’t stop.
So do you think there is a certain skill that you need?
No anyone can beatbox, I teach kids and all ages.
You can teach me then?!
Yeah for sure, I will! It helps if you have rhythm as you can nod your head to the beat. Also the good thing about it is that you can do it anywhere! The good thing about it is that you always have your mouth with you so you can do it anywhere, on the bus, in the street...anywhere!
What do you do that makes you a good beatboxer?
Nowadays there are so many dope beatboxers, at first it was all about getting clear sound but now I have been doing it for so long I can get the complete package. Now for me knowing what the crowd wants is the most important thing and being able to rock the crowd and having the balance of being charismatic, energy and knowing what the crowd want.
A lot of people claim to be the best, Rahzel, Killa Killa, Beardyman...who is on top for you?
For me I like a lot of different people for different reasons, technically the best right now would have to be this new young guy called Skilla he absolutely ridiculous, in terms of versatility there’s Reeps 1 who’s the current UK Number One. Also Beardyman in terms of his show is amazing he can rock a crowd easily for a couple of hours.
In 2008 you won the Vauxhall UK Beatbox Championship, this must have been a big achievement?
Yeah it was crazy to finally win it was special and I won a car which was pretty cool. I gave it to my mum though!
Are you excited for this year’s competition?
Yeah I’m really excited I feel really honoured to be on the panel this year because I did it last year so i didn't think I'd be able to do it again, the panel's really good and the line up’s looking sweet as well so i cant wait. Reeps 1 is defending and there is a lot of talent out there so it’s gonna be really exciting!
I think what a lot of people want to know is about the judging techniques, is it true that this used to be based on the crowd reaction?
It used to be completely on crowd reaction, but it was unfair because one guy would bring a bus load of his mates and the other person would have no support. So now it’s much more based on technique, musicality, originality, charisma. Now its a whole criteria of different things
You’ve supported some big names, what has been your favourite gig?
When I went to Australia touring with Jay Sean the lineup was ridiculous Kelly Rowland, Pitbull and all these sort of people were all on the plane, so it was cool hanging out with all those guys. Also when I went to America, that was pretty cool as I got to play at Madison Square Gardens, which is an amazing venue.
If you had a swimming pool filled with anything what would it be?
Wow, food and drink, I'd have to say Ribena with some Nando’s chicken on the side as well.
What is your motto in life?
Keep inspired, you’ve just gotta keep going in life. There’s always another day to do things better.
For more information on MC Zani check out www.myspace.com/mczani
