Musicians from Twelve Countries Compete for Annual Looping Crown
The 2nd Annual BOSS Loop Station World Championship was held in Frankfurt, Germany, last week during day one of the Musikmesse/Prolight + Sound trade show. BOSS crowned French beatboxer TIONEB the 2012 BOSS Loop Station World Champion after delivering an intense looping performance featuring only his voice. Loop-based music making is a leading form of musical expression today, and BOSS’ innovative Loop Station products have played a major role in the rise of this art form.
HBlockX’s German rocker Henning Wehland emceed the unique musical contest alongside an esteemed panel of international judges including vocalist/instrumentalist Ricoloop, percussionist Michael Shack, guitarist Alex Hutchings, and German hip hop sensation Samy Deluxe.
After winning regional and national semi-final rounds held during 2011, musicians from 19 different countries earned a chance to showcase their looping talents on the world stage in Frankfurt. Of the 19 finalists who qualified, 12 made their way to Frankfurt to compete. TIONEB from France took home a Grand Prize of €3,000. Beatboxer En.Dru of Czech Republic won Second Prize, beatboxer Vakhtang from Russia was awarded Third Prize, and Brazil’s singer/actress Liah Soares received special recognition for an outstanding computer keyboard rhythm and blues performance.
“Strong competition captivated the Frankfurt audience as France’s TIONEB mesmerized the judges,” said Gary Lenaire, Roland Corporation U.S. BOSS & Guitar Product Manager. Lenaire attended the world championship in support of U.S. finalist Angela Sheik, a master looper, vocalist and instrumentalist who wowed a U.S. audience in October with an intriguing looping performance with a Theremin and a RC Looper. An audience of more than 400 enthusiastic music fans attended the show, held at the King Kamehameha club, one of Frankfurt’s most popular night spots.
Tioneb is a singer / song-writer and human beat box specialist. Co-fondator of the band Human player he’s now delivering his solo project, a soulful electro-pop crossover made of voice and human beats. On stage he uses his voice as an orchestra sampling layers of sound on the spot in order to create a musical base for songs of a new kind.
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