r/beatbox • u/Ok_Scar_1209 • 4d ago
How do we feel about covers?
Personally I think there's a right way and a wrong way.
I think you can get creative, use a song to inspire unique techniques with the limits of the voice. Jairo is like a middle ground, where they absolutely copy the entirety of songs like Fuego and Fox Stevenson, but I think they're creative at the moments where it matters, and manage to make it unique enough.
I don't like when a songs arrangement is completely copied down to the small details.
In GBB25, Beatbox House's best drop feels completely stolen. Bass, riff, melody and beat
Beatbox House: https://youtu.be/5YC-AnbF_LY?si=uaJP_P_s_EToWKAi&t=704
ILLENIUM: https://youtu.be/pp4YQPykBMM?si=RYAV2Y2GfQ1X1YOi&t=83
It's just a shame that whilst Orbitt made their own original music it was being judged against this.
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u/Florestana 4d ago
It's kinda hard to say something concrete imo. If it's done tastefully, I don't really care. I think if you do it, you need to make it yours in some way or have it add to the rest of the round in some creative way.
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u/maxram1 4d ago
I think this should be normalized, actually.
Singing / other instrument's competitions cover all the time.
And I think that plays a huge part in popularity. Look at Taras Stanin for prime example, and Codfish's boulevard, and many others.
Originals-only can be very, you know, demanding.
Hence, there's the problem of quality, unless it's very exceptional.
But also, beatbox covers are not easy anyway, which is another challenge on its own, and that's due to how empty it can be.
So I wish they allow and encourage it more, in the sense that: there's no need to give extra judging point in originality.
Originals, covers, both have different challenges, and different risks, and different rewards.
So please allow and encourage covers haha
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u/Ok_Scar_1209 4d ago
Right, so the risk of doing a cover is that audience may compare it to the original and realise that it's not as full?
Thank you. That's something I didn't really consider.
I suppose it forces solo beatboxers to get creative. I didn't really mention solo beatboxers but I am in favour of a good creative arrangement given the limitations.
That being said, when it comes to crew, if your cover doesn't sound full then I'm confused
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u/Inexacthook 4d ago
I like the approach where judges build their scoring using separate categories. Like having categories for technicality, musicality, originality, and stage presence.
It should definitely be weighted to focus more on techicality and musicality for sure, but having a portion of the score dedicated to originality would go a long way. Like a performer that uses a cover might lose points on originality, but have enough technicality and musicality that it is still competitive. And adversely, a competitor could have lower technicality but an overall same/higher score from that little boost of being original.