If you know anything about hip-hop, and I mean like really know, I’m talking Big Daddy Kane, Mobb Deep, KRS-One, the original architects, then the name Rahzel will ring a bell. Widely considered the founding father of beatboxing, the Queens, New York native, Rahzel, was formerly part of the world famous The Roots, and, in recent years, has played and recorded with Robyn, Björk, Erykah Badu, and even lent his talents to metal acts like Bring Me The Horizon.
This upcoming weekend, December 8-10, he takes the stage at Sole DXB, to serenade the Dubai crowd in celebration of 50 years of hip-hop. Accompanying him are some of the most iconic names to ever grace the genre, like Busta Rhymes and Big Daddy Kane, and the more modern disciples like Joey Bada$$, Lil Zey, Lupe Fiasco, and many more. If you haven’t yet, get your Sole DXB tickets here
Esquire Middle East sits down with the rap legend to talk influences, AI stealing art, and favourite watches.
Esquire: The obvious question is tell me about your discovery of beatboxing?
Rahzel: It was just vacant space in an already very new genre of music. My first influence was Grandmaster Flash around 1979-1980. He was the first DJ to ever play a live drum machine, so we started trying to emulate that sound with the mouth, and that was the beginning of what we now call beatboxing.
Esquire: When did audiences register that this was actual music you were creating and not just sounds with your mouth?
Rahzel: With black music, there’s always existed an acapella version of everything. Whether it’s contemporary, jazz or rap. And beatboxing just became the acapella version of what hip-hop was about to become.
Esquire: So you, a human, were trying to sound like a machine. And now AI is trying to sound like a human. Talk about coming full circle.
Rahzel: It’s always been man vs. machine. It’s like The Terminator. The machines are studying us now, trying to replicate us, doing everything they can to become more human.
Esquire: What’re your thoughts on those TikTok videos where kids are using AI to remake a Queen song with Drake’s voice?
Rahzel: It should 100% be illegal. You’re stealing not just somebody’s intellectual property, but their hard work, their passion, their dedication to the craft. It’s theft. Especially if you become successful with it, that’s just cheating. It’s like sampling. It was a free for all in the beginning, but then they clamped down on it, which was good, and that’s what needs to be done with AI use.
Esquire: How do you feel ahead of Sole DXB and playing for a Dubai crowd?
Rahzel: It’s a beautiful thing to be performing for all the people out here and celebrating 50 years of hip-hop. It’s crazy to think how far it’s come, and how far it’s still going, especially with artists from out here that I’ve never heard of, but have a huge following out here, so I’m excited to see what they’re bringing.
Esquire: Do you have a go-to watch when on tour, or just a favourite in general?
Rahzel: Breitling! When I first started traveling to Europe, that’s how I discovered, and became fascinated with watches. Us Americans don’t know anything about them, but those Europeans live and breathe this stuff, it’s crazy. And I love it. I bought two Breitling’s abroad in Europe, and now I’d never buy a watch anywhere else.
Esquire: What’re your 3 favourite movies?
Rahzel: Damn. That’s a hard one. (thinks) Training Day. Nutty Professor. Friday.
Esquire: And lastly, moving from your own genre, what’s your favourite rock band?
Rahzel: Oh, man. Faith No More! No doubt about it.
Rahzel will be performing live on Saturday, December 9, at Sole DXB
