Interview with UK beatboxing champion Reeps One

Reeps One is a force that has drawn worldwide attention outside the conventional world of a beatboxer, with an army of online followers and over 20 Million views on YouTube. Reeps One aka Harry Yeff is a multi faceted artist , 2 x winner UK Beatboxing champion, with a pioneering vocal style inspired by Dubstep, Garage, Grime and Deep House he defines a musical genre of his very own, known as FACE MUSIC .

He talks to Made in Shoreditch magazine…

Tell us a bit about your background. How and when did you get into music and art?

I’ve been drawing on walls and making up songs as soon as I was able to hold a pen. My Dad has always been my biggest inspiration. He’s about as multitalented as it gets. He taught me to work hard and achieve the best skill I can by doing things my way.

You define your style as ‘Face Music’ – tell us about that? How do you define it?

Face Music is a genre of beatboxing where the beatboxer is the main or only part of a composition. As opposed to the traditional ‘providing a beat’.

What makes your style so unique?

Hmmm – well, stamina is one – hour and and half solo beatbox shows are unheard of… Two, I guess I’ve built my style around excitement instead of being faster and louder. Getting people excited is something that makes me happy.

You’ve been playing in amazing venues and festival over the summer this year – how was that? Did you experience the hysterical fans in love yet?

I had such an unbelievable summer touring round with Linden Jay; 16 festivals and even more shows is a great way to train. I’m on top form after it… As for my fans, I guess more and more I’m getting used to people’s appreciation, it’s such a standard thing to say but I have the best fans – I get a lot of positive messages but also a lot of very personal ones. People ask me how to stay inspired, how I deal with the pressure – I’m proud to say I feel like a guide to thousands of musicians and beatboxers who, at one point or another, have no where else to look, so they get in touch and I do my best to advise… We are the Reeps Army..

 What advice would you give to a beginner beatboxer?

Listen to music, not just beatboxing. Make people dance and believe in your ability.

What’s your next step?

Tracks. I got Radio one play for my last track which is the first time a solo beatbox track has ever gotten air play with no mention of it being beatboxing – for me this is a big step. Also my Random Acts with Channel 4 is coming out and it’s probably the best thing I’ve done so far – exciting times!