Beatbox champion meets Juilliard bassist: Jonathan Lopez and Man Wai Che at TEDxYouth@BeaconStreet *

An epic mashup of beats and bow spark a one-of-kind musical conversation at TEDxBeaconStreet between American Beatbox Champion Jonatan Lopez (JFlo) and Juilliard-trained bassist Man Wai Che. Man Wai's exquisite double bass together with JFlo's intricate vocal sounds creates music so powerful, classical beats are forged into a new art form.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@tomthummer]

JFlo is dope! Creativity is not about competition yo. This is really ill and really amazing to watch two people who are obviously very passionate about what they do put it down together. props

[@mihailmilev9909]

Hey what's up man

[@mihailmilev9909]

Is this before replies were invented lol?

[@mihailmilev9909]

Was just going to look you up, I was looking for multiple person "beatbox choirs" if you will. Why do u think there aren't that many of them?

[@josephbadaoui1210]

I just want soclosetotoast to come outta nowhere and reck all of these guys

[@alpha52k78]

wow they both are just great

[@bobjones7382]

U know what guys. More than half of all you guys can't do what these two did. So why insult them when they try there best. In human society, you people who insulted this video are known as jerks. I thought this was amazing

[@plumber1337]

Classical debates with modern, nice construction.

[@niceone4160]

Awesome wombo combo

[@faizannadeem7118]

He is awesome

[@AkritiKeswani]

Wow he is amazing

[@TopGunCrew]

When can I get this on iTunes?

[@TheGameKiller666]

i wish i could mute the beatbox guy and just listen to the bassist

[@ishark6462]

TheGameKiller666 same at the start i thought he was doing game of throne's theme

[@savannahsmith6194]

Ishark no it's one of motzarts concertos I'm not sure which one

[@dsdatta2299]

No it is "Prelude from Bach Cello Suite No.1 "🙂

[@threesidedtriangle1798]

The beginning was similar to the Bach Cello Suite, but I think the entire piece was unique, like he wrote it himself. Certainly inspiration from it, like a remix of it.

[@vivaciousmyosotis]

Me too

[@migueldomingo2530]

What is the name of the song the bassist is playing?

[@gayeonko3932]

haha thought it was a cello at first. sounds great!

[@DeeEmTe]

Is better at doing the same thing over and over again? I agree.

[@dodisukandar6700]

Very good

[@ferafera20]

name of the song he first Stars playing on the violine thing??

[@adamzez]

"Everything you're about to hear is from the mouth." *Dude brings a big ass instrument onstage." Me: He's gonna play that with his mouth?

[@MastaDamascus]

Dr-dr-dr-drop the bass! (But don't actually because that shit's expensive.)

[@TheAngryMoth104]

what's the difference between an upright bass and a cello?

[@TheAngryMoth104]

ah ok then, thanks :)

[@nagolgaming485]

Lmao, I didn’t get it, so I had to read it again, and I couldn’t stop laughing

[@haydenschmidt9709]

+The Sloth I'm sorry, but anyone who is a "professional" bassist should understand that alto clef is the only clef that cellists do NOT play in...and who are you to say that basses are harder to learn and maintain skill with when clearly you've never played a cello? Please stop spreading false information when you are uninformed yourself.

[@threesidedtriangle1798]

Yeah, cello is played sitting in a chair, and the bass can either be played standing or sitting on a stool. The bass is going to be taller than you for you to play it comfortably. I think the lowest note is 2x lower than on the cello. Really, any instrument, like the violin/viola/cello/bass can be read in bass, treble, or alto, but it's not practical. Normally it's treble for violin, alto for viola, cello and bass is bass cleff unless it's really high up the fingerboard, then treble. Bass is tuned in 4ths, while the rest of the string orchestral instruments are in 5ths.

[@patrickjames3510]

I really hate how everyone is leaving comments like "oh he sucks I can do better!" or "Tom Thum and SoCloseToToast or so much better!" (guarantee you those are the only two beatboxers they know). Why can't we enjoy this for what it is? Music! It sounds so cool and has a solid structure. I love it!

[@bruceguerrero7829]

Yea thats what im thinking

[@Gettin_chunky]

Agreed. This wasn't a battle

[@FadedInferno]

What people don't understand is every beat boxer has a different flow and style. It might sound good to others and it might sound bad to some. Soclosetotaost isn't really good tho. He is beat boxing at a level which I would consider intermediate. These beat boxers like Tom Thum and this guy beat box at a way higher level . Tom thum I would consider to beat box at a world class battle level which if he wanted to could beat box for champion ships against Aleme,Gene,Dharni,B-art people like that

[@larjkok1184]

I agree. Tom Thum is much better.

[@larjkok1184]

I agree. Tom Thum is much better.

[@the1ASPR]

To be honest, I personally think that Tom Thum is much better than this beatboxer. Or even SoCloseToToast is better.

[@SmithsCrhronicles]

rhazel isnt too bad either

[@amalrostom3495]

youre totally right ....

[@jasonbamburg2061]

Tom Thum smokes this guy. Much more versatile.

[@cokmod]

dont you ever bring soclosetotoast into the conversation

[@rowanhopkins6541]

Sergi Adipraja beardyman tops both

[@1234shhh]

I must admit I was more impressed by the bassist. ;D

[@MCLooyverse]

Personally, I wasn't too impressed with the bassist either. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I could do better on a bass, but he seemed off pitch-wise, not just on certain notes, but whole sections. As for the beatboxer, again, it's not like I could do better myself, but I've been more impressed by, say, Tom Thum.

[@12mamcu123]

Is it bad that I only came here for the Juilliard bassist?

[@mason4352]

HAHAHAHAHAAH no way shsajxhahxsa urmphhhhh uhhhhhh fuuuuuhhhh bBYYYYY

[@ethanlocke3604]

Bass gang

[@woodyphyseter3671]

pretty sweet that he has a 5 string bass. I've never seen that before. As of 6:20 has a great personal touch to this bassists preferences in improvisation. I'll definately look up man wai che for more.

[@Azmatic24]

What? The bassist can beat box too! Plot twist.

[@Azmatic24]

haha what's good

[@nasrin1563able]

[@theboreddoggo311]

Whaaaaaaaaat!

[@BogdanGabriel069]

+Azmatic24 dude....he's asian he can do anything

[@sanyoseflyudvikov437]

+Bosneanu Bogdan Lol it made my day too.

[@77Dreemail]

Simply amazing! Two of the finest and most talented young men I have ever seen and heard! Thank you for sharing your gift with the world. Be blessed!!!

[@zodion8]

(read the comments) the beat boxer dude is a champion? my dog could keep better rhythm, he was breathing hella hard too

[@Lamusicful]

If that be the case, upload a video of your dog beatboxing or keeping rhythm and get back to us.

[@zodion8]

lol dude it's a joke, i can already tell you're a real hard ass.

[@AuraVFX]

lol nice always seeing people making other people mad then say its a joke

[@baseballnathan97]

a lot of that hard breathing was incorporated into his beatboxes

[@Lamusicful]

AuRa VFX *Looks back at my own comment* Can you point out in my previous comment that indicates that I'm mad? I see no caps nor a plethora of exclamation points, so please enlighten me of where my comment indicates I'm angry.

[@PhotonlcInduction]

Lmfao, did not expect the bassist to actually beatbox.

[@mason4352]

He can r\appapan ssss 998999222200001111 rtooo Little Girl

[@Amakka88]

Wow this guys a champion? I can beatbox as good as him. All you people saying checkout 'Tom Thumb' He is good until he busts out the fx pedals. Check out Kenny Muhammad he was always my fav. Rahzel is pretty good too.

[@Rawi_jalal]

I want to thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart! because for the past two months I've been trying to remember the name!

[@gorkan6427]

Tom Thum is better

[@mxry842]

Boomer LSRP Yeees

[@sineadbroom522]

your right

[@yellowcactustvz4929]

@@sineadbroom522 you're

[@teikomayumi2975]

not better the best

[@VayporWayve]

Agree

[@tericruise1861]

While I agree that this guy is not as good as I expected of a champion, I don't know what all the Tom Thum hype is about. He's ALREADY been on Ted, so drop it. Plus Tom is really not all that and a bag of chips. I find him rather disappointing to be honest. There are a lot out there who I think do much better. He's generic and boring.

[@prmfirestorm0863]

Wow... I dont usually comment... but here in Utah,,, USA.... its getting cold here... late in the season.... anyways, while I was listening to this, my heater, in the house, came on... just as the student, Man Wai. Che started on his instrument.... This is not unusual, as it happens with a lot of people every day.. but it was in the same key as the tune that they are playing.... gave it an amazing ambient feel. Not felt in any other tune.... Thanks guys... that was fun!.

[@dietdemon]

i love j-flo but he is no champion, either is beasty who they claimed to be a chamion also thom thumb, none of which are champions surely they ddint have to lie for publicity no point....

[@Loopien]

It's ok, i don't like grammar either.

[@ziz2112]

okay, you're correct with the others, but Tom Thumb...that guy is incredible.

[@SnailKingGY]

well just to give j-flo some credibility he was the USA champion in 2012? i think or 2011

[@dietdemon]

They are.all incredible :p my point still stands though

[@davidyassine5252]

kyle colville So who's a real champion?

[@RVGENomini]

Beatboxing sounds way better over speakers vs a mic recording so that performance must have been super badass to hear live.

[@calebjarvis5242]

Beatbox champion ? lol tom this clearly way better

[@luihenrique21]

Alguém sabe o nome da música que e tocada no violão celo

[@eduardo5594]

Também quero

[@headbangingbiker]

An okayish attempt. The beatboxer's voice was overpowering the bassist. I highly reccomend that you guys watch Tom Thum's TEDx performance. You'll be blown away!

[@amerfazezy6340]

Kevin Olusula is better

[@Topy44]

I love that Man Wai Che came onto stage, put down his bass, and started out by beatboxing himself. Not on the same level of course, but still, not bad at all!

[@kimvance7817]

So... Kevin Olusola

[@andresacosta5318]

Kim Vance downgrade. Cuz its split into 2

[@jakobcarlson9312]

Different instrument

[@jorjasunderland3329]

Check out Kevin Olusola 'Cello boxing'!!

[@literallyjustaglassofmilk3609]

Yo this is cool and all but the bass has 5 STRINGS. Speaking of sacrilegious

[@austinbutler3771]

Tom thum is 10 times better

[@dennethdjinn1329]

+Austin Butler Honestly, Tom Thum isn't "better". Some people prefer this guy to Tom Thum. Personally, I like the styles of Reepsone and Alem more than Tom Thum, so they are both "better" than this guy. There's no point in saying anyone is better, in the end it's all opinion.

[@austinbutler3771]

+Denneth “TheRobo-T” Elihpodeap and this is the fucking Internet get a life I'll say what I want

[@chickensticksanimates3067]

yeah

[@m00se40]

It's all opiniative.

[@pastelstrz]

actually Dave Crowe is better

[@ParkMadeBum]

The hat is distracting me 😂

[@lillycarbaugh2898]

ya me too lol

[@wkswizzle6328]

TheGamer2000 I have that hat and same

[@craftyshadower]

I'm getting there but still have a long way to go if I want to be like these guys

[@liammurphy6567]

Crafty Shadower keep trying if you stay at it soon you will be like them

[@mikeescutin1246]

kevin Olusola can do what theyre doing all at once :)

[@sof.ie.knecht]

Haters gonna hate. This is the best I have ever heard!!!!

[@osvaldorodriguez9163]

What's the name of the piece Man Wai Che plays at the beginning?

[@dhruvramani28]

Pretty old comment so I hope you found it in these years. If not it's the prelude to suite no. 1

[@jasminewhitehead1752]

I feel like I know the song. I think it may be a star wars because I listen to it alot.. but don't hold me to it. Maybe I'll find it in my playlist

[@novastorm7841]

The peice is Bach suit no. 1 prelude

[@oliatopanteleeva2432]

Wow.. Amazing combination.. Sounds great.. 👏👏

[@abbiereadsbooks]

Everyone go watch Tom Thum

[@Veny]

Abbie Suarez nope go watch swissbeatbox

[@BEATBOXTELEVISION]

thats so cool! nice colab!

[@baine5.7]

Why are people so negative, this guy is only doing what he loves

[@Qopa]

i found dave crowe and tom thum better than this dude..

[@RelyksAD]

Same here

[@lemondropgaming9647]

TOM THUM WAS THE BEST

[@青木豊-e1o]

Lemon DropGaming agreed

[@goomjob2125]

I'm sure you can sound better than this dude, too. Just don't deep-throat the mic.

[@koalaster2827]

Hahahahah imjust watch Tom them lol

[@1koolbiker]

Wow this is amazing. The both of them playing together is just epic.

[@livchrest8263]

i wish i could do that

[@arashghm1992]

do the beatboxing or the big guitar one ? :P i wish i could play that guitar !

[@livchrest8263]

Arash Gharib I can play guitar and that is a cello I want to be able to beatbox

[@robin17171]

Olivia Chrest That would be a double bass. Or upright bass, whichever suits your fancy.

Train it then :)

[@HoopenFlarg]

Olivia Chrest Arash Gharib How could it be a guitar? In the title it clearly states bassist, when did a guitar use bass clef? Never. Although a cello does use bass clef, you don't call a cellist a bassist. And finally I can play that, 'guitar', bass. I Can also play viola, and cello, and violin, and I can even beatbox!

[@desmondroberts6826]

Kevin Olusola Does this by himself XP

[@georgianacutarida6229]

Desmond Robgerts

[@marioshadjicostis5613]

Anyone know which song is the bassist playing?

[@hamishmcallister2503]

+Marios Hadjicostis Bach Cello Suite No.1 in G

[@ddscott12]

Not quite - it's a version of it transposed into a minor key rather than a major - so it's a Gmin not Gmaj tonal centre. Also, he starts off with just the first four bars of this (the basic Gmin Cmin D7b9 Gmin pattern), then moves into a basic pedal over a descending chordal pattern in Gmin (Gmin Fmaj Ebmaj D7b9) and just vamps over that.

[@danielhan887]

lol I thought the guy playing the cello was more interesting xD Forgot about the guy beatboxing

[@radosawstepinski476]

The beatbox is average. But man, is that bassist dope.

[@rajen2510]

Tom thum is the best.like if you agree

[@Crumpled4skin111]

Rajendra Chand there are way better beatboxers than Tom Thumb.

[@tristen5213]

tom thumb is a generic street beatboxer, thee guys were buit to impress and compete, tom is not

[@lazyturtle17gaming57]

@@tristen5213 bro tom thum made it into the finals in the first beatbox world championship so he is one of the best old school beatboxers But yes he is more of a street performer now.

[@tristen5213]

@@lazyturtle17gaming57 i can agree that he was good in competition before but now there are more people that train harder than him for competition standards, thats really all i was getting at with this comment ahah

[@lazyturtle17gaming57]

@@tristen5213 yeah,i thought you meant tom thum is only a street performer. Sorry about that.

[@WesleyVanderwesthuyzen]

Fucking outstanding

[@PhoenixKDIX]

Cut these guys some slack, these are still pretty young kids.

[@edwardmccorner6752]

Goosebumps and my feet couldn't stay put.

[@BmillTheGamer]

Man the Double Bass is so good, much better than the beatboxer.

[@bevonkacon17]

It's too bad that they used a dynamic mic to pickup on the violin. I think the feedback made the cello go waaaay down in db. Good performance, bad mixing.

[@nickwarren131]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. Whoever was holding the event probably didn't use any type of audio engineer. They just were like "here's a mic use this one."

[@joeygreschjoeygresch4946]

this is my Favorit beatbox song

[@imkorona6592]

Kevin Olusola can beatbox AND play cello at the same time LOL

[@joashsoobramoney6818]

Ok. That's a bass tho

[@spacemanjames]

The beatboxing guy was going too fast. He wasn't sticking to the tempo.

[@WoWoUzHD]

yes he was.

[@spacemanjames]

+WoWoUz HD if you start a metronome and listen again, you will hear that he wasn't sticking to the tempo.

[@WoWoUzHD]

The highlights of the failed tempos were on purpose.. it is to kind of spice it up a bit.

[@spacemanjames]

+WoWoUz HD it doesn't add anything to the performance, it simply sounds bad. it could have sounded incredible but instead, the lack of attention to tempo just pointed out the difference in skill between a street kid and a classically trained double bassist.

[@WoWoUzHD]

well, your opinion ;D

[@rshepherd80]

love seeing music collabs beatboxer aside a Cellist beautifully done TedX ^_^

[@staccia900]

3:45 to 4:15 my favorite part

[@brianclinton699]

Is he really a Julliard bassist? I only ask because there are some pretty whack technique and musical issues that I wouldn't expect from there. (pinky on top of the bow?, tons of tension in LH, sketchy intonation...). I'm not saying he's not good, but not necessarily the calibre I expect from Julliard.

[@frigeratorr3266]

0:00 to 1:50 is it the final level of geometry dash

[@flaming_beastgaming3681]

+Denali Prince omg true

[@ethansutton4860]

not really...

[@frigeratorr3266]

Lol

[@azoresplayah]

Outstanding performance; "gr8 artists!"

[@COMM_DUMPST3R]

would've been better if it was a cello, just sayin'

[@rymcd14]

MrCoconutsquash classic

[@KarenMassonMusic]

lol

[@kloudchu7539]

Guys, theres no need to compare him to Tom Thum, i love him too. But imagine going to an art gallery and writing "Picasso was better" under it. (Yeah im comparing Tom Thum to Picasso) thats just rude. Hes better than 97% of you guys at beatboxing

[@gruffski]

I vote Tom Thum!!!!!!! and this bassist is DOPE!!!!!

[@teamchevy707gamezandlegos3]

Tom tumb way better this guy -9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999 worst then Tom thumb

[@teamchevy707gamezandlegos3]

- the b

[@yaboi7236]

i think Tom Thum is way better!

[@TheVegetarianBoy]

He indeed is.

[@marcelszekely4469]

oh my gosh that was beautiful i think that they should make more videos like this it was awesome i like it

[@Ratstick58]

I can feel the ego on that guy from here

[@leogadget]

¡Buenísimo!

[@reeseadams1568]

Tom thum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@venomdrop3166]

He's the best

[@jade-elizabethpearson3208]

i love tom thum

[@hassanidlaasri2832]

Reeps One !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@strykeplaysmcjohnpickhypix1205]

Ikr

[@jakobcarlson9312]

I'm pretty sure that's not Tom Thum

[@seankiarie6680]

That mash up especially with the bass cray!

[@Linogewillkillallofy]

How can this guy become a champion when hes off so many times

[@allenlark]

I speed up sometimes but I just think it's unfortunate when your "percussionist" (vox) has trouble keeping time. Bassist was trying his best to keep up and I wouldn't ever be able to reach the speed he did, let alone what the beatboxer was trying to push him to at times.

[@ilyemzz]

**watches their hands**

[@zookiecookie8763]

IS HE BETTER THEN TOM THUM THOU?!!!!!11111??????!!!!!!1!1 The real answer is NO

[@michaelc1664]

hes good I mean he can do something that most of us cant even do but Tom Thum is still the best from anything I have ever heard

[@malcolmadams2105]

If this is the best I was the ultimate in my youth damn I would smoke this kid for breakfast. You smoke kids for breakfast???! Yer damn right!!! the other guy *Tom is just funny and a better show as a whole.

[@mhayato143]

Tom thum is good!

[@หาของแดก]

Yes,I think so.

[@mhayato143]

Dylan Thurston​ that's my opinion!! I respect everyone's opinion, we live in a free country so if you dnt like what's on my head,not my problem!! Dnt call it shit that's rude!

[@juanbotero4154]

mari sakura We respect your opinion, but just because Tom Thum made an awesome public impression (which I loved bty) doesn't make him extremely good like these guys.

[@juanbotero4154]

juan botero Btw*

[@mikalenz9103]

+juan botero Tom thum is the best

[@FishTurd69]

Really goes to show that there is no such thing as good or bad music. Music is music, it speaks one language, it is universal. That is why we can see two "contradicting" types of music harmonize so well with each other to create such an amazing piece.

[@trumpetguy11]

TEDx is a platform for teaching and showcasing different talents and different people, it wasn't made so you could sit here in the comments and say Tom Thum is better, jeez let the guy live

[@mariocalderon9944]

Got to Tom Thum and comprare how much better he is.

[@rainboweater2302]

Mario Calderon so true

[@BiomechaWolf]

Mario Calderon Go to Thorsen, Napom, and other beatboxers and compare em too

[@christianvierrath9529]

OK, der Bassist ist nicht immer auf den Punkt und Lopez kanns auch besser. Aber für solch eine Co-Produktion ist es schon halbwegs publikumstauglich. Klar, Tom Thum ist cool, er hat einen besonderen werbewirksamen Stil. Der ist schon zu professionell, um ihn mit den hier gezeigten zu vergleichen. Das ist eine ganz andere Liga für sich.

[@limerickgoblin7311]

I know Asian people are quite little and all - but he could have at least adapted by getting a smaller violin specially made or something. He looks ridiculous.

[@katedillon5948]

+Limerick Goblin It isn't a violin...it's a bass they don't make smaller basses, if it was smaller it would be a cello and if that got smaller it would be a viola and if THAT got smaller then it would be a violin, if you're gong to insult something or someone at least educate yourself first.

[@limerickgoblin7311]

+Kate Dillon It was a joke, Kate. Just trying to spread some laughter.

[@nicolasmelgaco7741]

+Limerick Goblin I like the joke, bro.

[@natalie9714]

+Limerick Goblin mission complete.. xD

[@Oneness100]

+Kate Dillon I know there are larger basses than the one he's using.

[@pipieuve]

No harmony.. sorry this is just fast beat.. this is the worst classic mix

[@vaibhy0]

Tom thum is real beatbox champion!!!!

[@PectusCarinatum]

Yo Tom Thum is different to this, you can't compare. This dude is doing a duet with an instrument, Tom Thum just makes unusual sounds.

[@Debproduce]

I started rapping at 3:34, impossible not to freestyle to that

[@maizyhafemeyer382]

I have so many questions 1•why are there 5 strings on his bass 2•why is he holding his bow there 3•why is he playing part of the cello song on a bass 4•why are his fingers that long on the finger board 5•why is the end of his finger board shaped like that So...am I getting answers or not

[@piglyn6164]

The best is Tom Thum