Rahzel

Probably best known to broader audiences through his tenure with the Roots, Rahzel stands out as an MC devoted to beatboxing, widely regarded as hip-hop’s fifth element after graffiti, DJing, MCing, and breakdancing. He resists easy categorization, preferring to occupy the outer fringes of mainstream commercial sounds. His cited influences range from Biz Markie, Doug E Fresh, and Buffy of the Fat Boys to Bobby McFerrin and Al Jarreau. The driving aim remains elevating beatboxing to an autonomous art form worthy of recognition on its own terms. During his formative years, Rahzel admired his cousin Rahim of the Furious Five and regularly attended Grandmaster Flash performances; he subsequently worked as a roadie for the Ultramagnetic MCs. He has since perfected the craft, reproducing entire tracks through layered vocal percussion alone, simultaneously delivering choruses and rhythmic backdrops without external instruments while fluidly mimicking vocalists and rappers at will. Fans of the genre would do well to acquire his album Make the Music 2000.