doug e fresh
The first human beatbox in the rap world, and still the best of all time, Doug E. Fresh amazed audiences with his note-perfect imitations of drum machines, effects, and often large samples of hip-hop classics. [1]
Doug E. Fresh (born Douglas E. Davis, 17 September 1966, in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands) is an American rapper, record producer, and beatboxer. [2]
Unquestionably one of the greatest beat-boxers of all time, Doug E. Fresh capably created an extraordinary palette of rhythmic and musical noises with his mouth, often in a nimble, giddy mode instantly distinguishable from the booming, raspy tones of the Fat Boys’ Human Beat Box (may he rest in peace). [3]
Fresh at the 5th Annual Hip-Hop Summit Action Network’s Action Awards in New York City in February 2008. [4]
It was recorded with his Get Fresh Crew, including MC Ricky D (only later to gain fame as Slick Rick), along with Barry Bee and Chill Will. [5]
Called Oh, My God!, this included a few more notable tracks such as (”Play This Only at Night” and “All the Way to Heaven”) and was critically hailed for incorporating elements of reggae and gospel music. [2]
The originator of the human beat box (vocally simulating the sound of drums and other musical instruments), he spawned an international hip-hop trend. [6]
His single “The Show/La Di Da Di,” is considered an early hip hop classic. [2]
In 1986, Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew released their debut full-length album, Oh, My God! [1]
In 1988, another album, The World’s Greatest Entertainer was released, which appeared on Billboard magazine’s charts, due in part to the popular single “Keep Risin’ to the Top.” [4]
Fresh became a major rap star in 1985. [2]
The single featured the Get Fresh Crew: DJs Barry B. and Chill Will, and MC Ricky D (who would later achieve fame as Slick Rick). [...] Douglas E. Davis (born September 17, 1966), better known by the stage name Doug E. Fresh, is an American rapper, record producer, and beat boxer, also known as the Human Beat Box. [4]
His first LP, 1987’s Oh, My God!, featured most of his showpieces, like “Play This Only at Night” and “All the Way to Heaven,” along with nods to reggae and even gospel. [1]
His second album, 1988’s The World’s Greatest Entertainer, broke into the Billboard charts thanks to another hot single, “Keep Risin’ to the Top,” but Slick Rick had already broken from the pack and his LP of the same year, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, did much better than Doug E. Fresh. [5]
Sources:
[1] Doug E. Fresh: Information from Answers.com
[2] Doug E. Fresh ‘ Discover music, videos, concerts, & pictures …
[3] Doug E. Fresh : Rolling Stone
[4] Doug E. Fresh - Wikipedia
[5] Doug E. Fresh | View the Music Artists Biography Online | VH1.com
[6] Doug E. Fresh on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s …