UK’s top beat-boxer to play one night in Hanoi

VietNamNet Bridge – Beat-boxer Killa Kela, who has performed with international stars like Justin Timberlake, Travis Barker and Snoop Dog, will put on one show in Vietnam on July 31.


The show will take place at the Hanoi Friendship Cultural Palace, with the presence of Kela’s co-workers Andy Knowles and DJ Skelertrik, Vietnamese hip-hop singer Kim, rapper Windy, DJ Tuan Kruise and Beat-boxer Minh Kien.

The UK’s Killa Kela is one of the most renowned beat-boxers today. Discovered and mentored by DJ Vadim, he’s collaborated with a host of big acts, including Pharrell, Prince, Justin Timberlake and De La Soul, and has recently released a new album, Built Like an Amplifier.

Kela began beat-boxing in his teens with the 360 Physicals crew. He was discovered by DJ Vadim when he sent a tape of his beat-boxing to Vadim's now defunct label Jazz Fudge. His first release was a mixtape with Mr. Thing called "Antistatic Mouthwash".

Since then, Kela has been a member of the Isolationists, Rock Steady Crew and The Scratch Perverts. He has also appeared on DJ Vadim's albums and tours as part of the Russian Percussion project, and appeared onstage with Pharrell, Justin Timberlake, Super Furry Animals, Prince, De La Soul and Plan B. He is considered to be one of the best beat-boxers in the world alongside Kenny Muhammad and Rahzel.

His live act incorporates drums & bass, electro and hip-hop stylings, singing, MCing, very realistic vocal scratching, body movements and imitations of popular songs such as "Slave 4 U" by Britney Spears and "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega. He calls his technique "Multivocalism", a term coined by longtime artwork collaborator Mark Splinter in 2000. Kela's crew has performed hundreds of live shows all around the world and is known as "Spit Kingdom".

Kela released the album "Elocution" in 2005, the follow-up to his debut album "The Permanent Marker" in 2002. The Elocution project incorporated 'The Elysian Quartet' on strings, backing vocalists Rookwood and Trip, DJ Skeletrik and his producer Spider on keys and vocals. He is also known for a UK advert for "Fruit Pastilles" and regular appearances on TV shows such as "Big Brother's Little Brother" at this time.

His song Jawbreaker was put on the Fifa Street 2 Soundtrack.