We've all have heard or heard of campus legend and beatboxing guru Justin Stein. Some of us seem to see him in a particular spot at the same time every Tuesday and Thursday, encountering his proverbial soundtrack that surely enhances the daily campus routine.
But as Stein may have been receiving the publicity, brewing on the other side of campus lies a challenger, ready and willing.
Hailing from Roanoke is Peter "Petebox" Shin, a D2 employee hoping to challenge his first opponent, Justin Stein. Apparently, the town isn't big enough for the both of them. Shin, who has been beatboxing on and off for eight years since his sophomore year of high school, cites beatboxing pioneer and former Roots member Rahzel as a primary influence.
"One of my friends from church came to a Friday meeting and showed us a beatbox done by Rahzel, called 'If Your Mother Only Knew,'" recalled Shin. "When I first heard it, I was astounded to hear someone speak and beatbox at the same time."
Since, Shin has been encompassed in the multiplicities of hip-hop. As famous beatboxers like Biz Markie and Doug E. Fresh, a good beatboxer can demonstrate a wide range of vocal skills and the imitation of a sound to a tee. Using Rahzel as an outlet for development, Shin began to harness the airwaves and garner response. Much of his progress has come from closely following the footsteps of his influences.
"I found out (Rahzel) had learned it from listening to the song, so I checked it out myself," Shin said. "It took me a couple weeks to get into the groove of it, but eventually I began to get there."
But the essentials were already in place.
"I love music, and hip-hop is my primary beatbox style," Shin said. "I'll copy and imitate song melodies and mostly beatbox whenever there would be a freestyle session - like 106-n-Park, a capella style. I lost my ambition to continue after one of my best friends had passed away, but lately I've been coming across a lot that has changed my mindset about beatboxing and I want to grab hold again."
Shin performed at his high-school pep-rally his junior and senior years of high school and claims to be have been the best in his area (noting there wasn't much competition). As with any talent, public performance is usually a good indicator of success - but so is a nickname.
"Later on, I eventually got the name 'Petebox,' not to be confused with THePETEBOX from the UK," Shin said.
However, Shin doesn't seem to garner such public response, nor have such immediate reactions. And while that unquestionably doesn't bother Shin, he sure wouldn't mind testing his tires at any velocity.
"In my perspective, the world of beatboxing is still in a small area waiting to be explored," Shin said. "Although it's not something you hear every day, it attracts ears, as Stein does walking to his next class."
Shin first heard about Stein after beatboxing at a party upon first arriving to Blacksburg.
"They asked me if I had heard of the 'campus beatboxer,' explaining to me how he's always got a pair of headphones on, walking to his next class beatboxing," Shin said. "I was intrigued to meet him, but was later told that he rarely ever encounters anyone publicly. Finding it an opportunity to test out my beats with his, I want to challenge and work with this campus beatboxer."
The two have never met, but there are those out there who have heard both Shin and Stein. In terms of talent, nothing is concrete.
"I've heard mixed opinions about the difference in our skills so if it happens, it'll be exciting," Shin said.
"I am trying to showcase a beatboxing supreme being," said senior De'Von Coleman. Coleman, an Aerospace Engineering major, is eager for Stein and Shin to go face-to-face for a beatboxing challenge. "Shin is ready to offer a challenge for the number one beatboxer here at Virginia Tech," Coleman said.
Surely this battle isn't unwarranted. Shin is hopeful to gain knowledge and absorb some methods from the opposition. As they say, keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer. But even more transcendental Ralph Waldo Emerson would note that men are respectable only as they respect - these gentlemen demonstrate the latter.
"I'm on a search to find other beatboxers and challenge them for the sake of experience," Shin said. "It's great for finding new influences and learning new techniques. I hope we can learn a lot from each other."
As Stein and Shin hope to exemplify their talents under D2 in the near future, both Justin "the beatbox guy" Stein and Peter "Petebox" Shin hope to be rank supreme. Perhaps it will have the rest of us asking, "Which beatboxing guy are you talking about again?"
"I feel like I can do a lot, but at the same time I still have a drive to learn more," Shin said. "I want to meet another experienced beatboxer, challenge and exchange techniques by listening and learning from each other. Now all I can do is hope he accepts it."