Beatbox Fozzy
Last updated: 14 September 2009
Beatbox Fozzy is a precocious Cardiff human beatboxer who has won fans from Dizzee Rascal to Rhys Ifans.
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Initially inspired to pick up the microphone (and abuse it) by the work of pioneering US mouth manipulation master and former The Roots member Rahzel, Beatbox Fozzy may barely be out of his teens but has crammed much into a promising career to date.
Emerging as a raw 18-year-old aligned with burgeoning Cardiff collective-slash-label Associated Minds, in the past four years Fozzy has taken his talents across the UK and beyond, playing with colossuses of beatboxing and hip-hop en route.
Able to replicate the lowest bass thump right through to the highest sweet soul sample, often at the same time with considerable vocal dexterity, Fozzy was a finalist in the Vauxhall UK Beatbox Championships in 2007, after claiming victory in the regional heats.
One of Britain's most successful beatboxers, Killa Kela, became a notable fan from within the genre after playing with Fozzy, but his talents have piqued interest from far outside the spheres of beatboxing and hip-hop. A run of shows in Ibiza included a VIP party with Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon, while at the opposing extreme Fozzy has collaborated with Cardiff folk artist Julia Harris.
In late 2007, Fozzy opened two dates for East London grime-gone-pop star Dizzee Rascal on his 'Maths + English' tour, also appearing onstage during the chart-topping headliner's set on the second date at the London Astoria.
Fozzy also regularly appears live in tandem with fellow Associated Minds artist and longest freestyle rap world record holder Ruffstylz, as well as, on occasion, AM associates Mudmowth and Ralph Rip Shit. The comrades have teamed up in various combinations to share stages with the likes of ex-Ultramagnetic MCs rapper Kool Keith and Rhys Ifans' rock band The Peth.
An appearance at the South Wales international storytelling festival Beyond The Border with Inuit throat singer Taqralik Partridge and Ruffstylz confirmed Fozzy's versatility, while his next move, a two-week Australian tour with legendary reggae band The Wailers, is set to extend his international scope further still.
A debut EP is in currently in the pipeline, with the production entirely consisting of Fozzy's vocal skills committed to tape. Collaborators on the project include Ruffstylz, as well as acclaimed British rappers Professor Green, Dubbledge and Durrty Goodz.
