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MC Zani Interview
Other | Thursday 9th June 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 that takes place on Saturday 11th June at The 02 Academy in Islington.
Hows it going, what you up to at the mo?
All good, I have literally just got up about an hour and a half ago! We had a SBTV launch party last night at Nando’s in London Bridge, was pretty sick!
Did you have a late one then?!
Yeah just a little, there was a whole bunch of people there and Keri Hilson came and closed the show as well.
So how did you first get into music?
Well for me music has been part of my life since I was young as my dad is from Mauritius and he was a drummer so there was always music in the house like Reggae and instruments around like a drum kit and guitar. So I guess it was inevitable for me to pick up a instrument and get involved!
Do you play any instruments?
Yeah I play guitar and drums was my first instrument but because I beat box now I haven't picked up a drum kit for a while!
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. I was like wow as I didn't think you could do this, so for 5 years I was just beatboxing at random venues and parties and that is how it all started for me. It was a lot of fun and once you get the bug of beatboxing, you can’t stop. When I started out I was the geek boxer as I was practicing loads! A lot of people would say how do you do that? But it’s just like learning an instrument, you can pick up a guitar and if you practice for a month then you can play a note, if you practice for a couple of years you can play a couple of songs. I'm using my voice and my vocal chords as a instrument, I am training my vocal chords and strengthening my muscles, using my lips and tongue and using them all together.
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 may dope beatboxers, at first it was all about getting clear sound but now that I have been doing it for so long I can get the complete package. 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!
What did you do to celebrate?
Had my mates back to my flat, it was pretty crazy!
Are you excited for this year’s competition that’s gonna be taking place on Saturday 11th at at 02 Islington academy?
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!
Isn’t there a party afterwards as well?!
Yea there is it should be cool.
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 it's a whole critera of different things.
It must be a hard call judging when there is so much talent out there, what do you look for when your judging?
I really like technical intricate stuff but it’s hard to get the crowd entertained with that. The key is to be both entertaining and original and know how to work the crowd. Balance of being sick, entertaining the crowd and be original.
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 were having a party, who would you have DJing?
Faith, Beardyman there are too many to mention, though there would be no music just beatboxing!
What are your plans for summer?
It’s gonna be busy with the festival season coming up, I'm doing Glastonbury with Foreign Beggars as well as Splash festival. Also I'm doing some European dates along with teaching beatboxing which I really love doing.
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.
Make sure you get yourself down to the UK Vauxhall Championship’s on Saturday 11th June at The O2 Islington Academy. It all kicks off from 6pm, get your tickets at www.ukbeatboxchampionships.com
