I went to the theatre with a little trepidation, unsure what to expect from the world’s first ever World Looping Champion but I came away having not only having had my first lesson in beatboxing but also the history of the artform, lessons in tolerance for one another, and to follow your dreams.

Shlomo first took the stage in 2002, having discovered human beatboxing as a child to practice drumming (they are a classically trained percussionist and jazz drummer). Having left Leeds University course in Physics with Astrophysics in 2003 to pursue their music full-time. Working with Bjork they collaborated to perform at the opening of the 2004 Olympic Games, becoming probably the most heard beatboxer at that time with an estimated Global audience of around 3.9 billion, most of whom probably didn’t realise there were no drums in the performance it was all vocals.



After a brief history of the birth of beatboxing from the Hip-hop genre of the 1970s and its anti-racism fight, we were soon into out lesson on basic beatboxing which Shlomo told us was as easy as ABC (well PTK actually). We were instructed in using P for the bass or kick drum, T for the hi hat cymbal and K for the snare drum (adding H at the end to provide the sustain of the snare). Soon we were all following along and making wonderful mouth music aiming to be the mega superstars of beatboxing that Shlomo was inside everyone of us.

Further lessons and examples of more complex beatboxing techniques from Shlomo leading to us all trying to hum a tune whilst keeping up the PTK beat. Then it was time for the beatbox battle with 2 teams of two being invited on stage to try to out beatbox each other. Teams Sun and Star were each given a swift lesson in mic technique and they were let loose to freestyle for the audience who decided that it was a well-deserved draw.

Shlomo was open about their issues with ADHD, autism and the fight with depression and mental issues and their support of CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). Explaining that everyone had the power to achieve remarkable things if they believed and worked hard.

I went to the performance expecting to workshop beatboxing and whilst we did achieve that it was so much more. It was a life lesson for children and adults alike about tolerance, understanding of differences (both seen and unseen) and their worth in the world. I left feeling uplifted and with a greater appreciation not only of beatboxing but for Shlomo themselves who despite his success (performing at massive festivals such as Glastonbury) and issues, is happy to take to the stage to perform and talk to small groups of young people (and their parents or grandparents) about their life.

After show meet and greet

Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids
Leeds Carriageworks