Beatbox Research

FRAJ's dissertation for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Sciences.

The following paper discusses Beatbox as a global language, where FRAJ conducts a year long autoethnography within the Beatbox community, frame-working the lifetime of Beatbox artists within its culture.

What is Beatbox?

Beatboxing is a musical art form that uses the mouth and vocal tract to imitate percussion and other sound effects to create music.

 

Beatbox is a language that can be used as a medium between foreign Beatboxers, where each person's "Beatbox dialect" - that is, their sonic identity - acts as a form of social interaction often void of spoken word.

Where did Beatbox originate?

The earliest known recorded account of Beatbox originated from French Gypsy minstrels in the 11th Century.

The Emcee "Doug E. Fresh" would later coin the term 'Beatbox' and popularise it in the Bronx, New York.

What are the benefits of Beatbox?

Beatboxing is being researched for application in speech therapy and promoting healthy lungs, with current evidence appearing effective.

 

Beatbox is also a highly diverse and welcoming community, encouraging new starts to progress together. Beatboxers often help others learn new sounds and apply their sounds effectively in making music.