The James Logan Courier

By Lorisa Salvatin, Courier Staff Writer

The first impression you get from Logan student Gabe Ocampo, is of a young, somewhat typical, yet charismatic guy who wants what most teenagers want and does what most teenagers do. Seems pretty simple, yes? Until you hear his beats.

Gabe practices the intricate urban art of beat-boxing and has been since the 8th grade. He became inspired when his brother made him listen to Rahzel’s “If Your Mother Only Knew.” He was struck by how he could sing and beat-box at the same time, and badly wanted to learn the skill himself. He began a month later and it has now become one of his passions.
With beat-boxing skills that are almost as good as those who are well-known, some beat-boxers Gabe looks up to are Killa Kella, Eklipse, Kenny Mohammed: Human Orchestra, and Roxorloops. He likes how they follow their own thing and refers to them as " so unique and hella boss."

With a busy schedule like Gabe’s—balancing school, family, and colorguard—one wonders how anyone would have any time to beat-box. But the best thing about beat-boxing, he says, is that it can be done anytime, anywhere, in front of anyone; And you don’t need anything (except water).

Other than beat boxing, Gabe has a number of musical talents, such as playing guitar, drums, piano, and xylophone. He loves music in general. However, he beat-boxes because he hears sounds everyday and feels the need to mix all of them into one rhythm. It keeps him going. He sees it as giving music to the streets and giving a beat when there is nothing else or no one else around to do so.

Gabe hopes to possibly gain fame from his talent. As he says himself, “I think it’s the hobby that gives you the fame.”