They will beatbox your ears off

You would be strolling through a campus and suddenly hear the sounds of a hip-hop track, with groovy beats, simulated sound effects and record scratching.

It’s probably college kids on a beatboxing gig. So how do they do it — with absolutely no instruments.

In a city, where iPods, CD players, MP3 players, mobile phones, radios, etc are banned on campuses and street dancing can get one expelled, beatboxing is an art form that is taking colleges by storm.

It’s not illegal (under college rules); and it can be performed almost anywhere on and around the campus.

Bangalore’s collegians swear it’s the next big thing on campuses here and even though it’s already a hit in the US and UK and is popular across the country, it’s more than just fun for many.

It’s already making waves in college cultural fests and on big college days.

Though it’s not clear about the origins of the art in colleges, beatboxing champs Vineeth Kumar and Vineeth Vincent say it took off during college fests and cultural events at the university level.

“Students loved it. On campus, it is allowed as long as it does not create a nuisance.  It does not require too much practice but college students, teachers and the principals motivate beatboxers and have been very supportive during shows. Leave is often granted when students go out for shows,” Vincent, who studies at Christ University, said.

This form of art involves its artist simulating musical instruments, singing, and voice imitation. The involvement of the throat, nasal cavity and tongue in producing these sounds is very technical.

Ruth Sam a college student says it’s the big thing in colleges now to have beatbox bands: “It feels like live music, I can’t believe it’s only their mouths; one can’t make out the difference.”

Beatboxing is a rage even among girls. Archana S, a student from Mount Carmel says that they sometimes beatbox for fun during lunch hour. “I’m sure if we danced we would be in trouble, this is like live music, but without any band-baaja so how can it be harmful? Also it’s a good social activity. Girls are getting better at it,” Archana said.

Meet Black Ice, one of the first beatboxing bands to emerge from the city. The band, a rage on the college circuit, includes Vineeth Kumar, Vineeth Vincent, Likith Achaya and Naser. Vineeth Kumar, a popular face amongst youngsters, shot to fame on the MTV reality show Rock On.

“Black Ice has performed in various places in and around south India. Vincent and I are the beatboxers of the group and Likith and Naser are the b-boys [break-boys who accompanies the beatboxers]. It was a very difficult journey, but we’re glad that our talent has been recognised and appreciated,” Vineeth Kumar said.

“I was unaware of such a form of art until Likith tried mimicking a musical track which sounded very funky. After having gone through a few videos online, we found out that beatboxing was actually an artform and was practiced around the world.

There are online tutorials on how to beatbox. Anybody can learn and with hard work, even master it. Initially, I used to try beatboxing in the bathroom; you can call me a bathroom beatboxer. And then, my loo took me places.” Kumar said.

A senior lecturer at a city college said that he had no issues if the students beatboxed, as it was as good as singing for a group of friends.

“As long as it is not disruptive, we are okay,” he said. “Initially I wondered how they could make all those sounds without any instruments. Then I became a fan of beatboxers. They are extremely talented and I am sure that this will take them a long way,” Alwin Neil Richard, the vocalist of a Bangalore-based band, said.