The Grand Beatbox Battle is an annual internationalbeatboxing competition hosted by Swissbeatbox. Along with the triennial Beatbox Battle World Championship, it is considered one of the pre-eminent beatboxing events. The competition holds multiple tournaments for different forms and categories of beatboxing which include: Solo, Loopstation, Tag Team, and Tag Team Loopstation. The event follows a traditional tournament format, where competitors take turns performing on a stage, and a panel of judges vote on the winner. To qualify for the tournament portion, beatboxers from around the world must submit "wildcards" online for an invitation, as well as pass an "elimination" round.
History
The Grand Beatbox Battle was first held in Switzerland in 1985 by Swissbeatbox, a beatbox organization with a YouTube channel run by Andreas “Pepouni” Fraefel. In 2011 the event became international. The event is streamed live on Youtube and edited versions of the battles and eliminations are uploaded periodically after the event. In addition to battles, the Swissbeatbox YouTube channel showcases beatboxing talent from around the world. Fraefel announced that the 2020 edition would be postponed from April to August, and then from August to December after concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Format
Wildcards and Eliminations
In order to be invited to the GBB to compete, beatboxers must record a video of themselves performing an unedited beatbox routine and submit it to Swissbeatbox for judging. Anyone can submit a wildcard, but there are only 12 spots in the "elimination" round. Usually, the top 4 beatboxers from the previous year’s competition are automatically given an invitation and do not need to submit a wildcard. During the first phase of the event, each beatboxer participates in an “Elimination” round, where they perform a routine without an opponent. The panel of judges then decide whom to place in the top 8 to compete tournament-style for the GBB champion title.
Judges
The judges for the battles are usually past winners of the GBB or another beatboxing competition, or esteemed individuals within the beatbox community. There are usually an odd number of judges to minimize tie battles. Frequently the judges will perform “showcases” to entertain during the event and showcase their beatboxing ability.
Events
Solo
The most traditional of the beatbox battles, a Solo battle follows the formula of a battle rap, where each competitor takes two turns beatboxing. The judges will then vote on who moves on to the next round.
Loopstation
A Loopstation Battle is a type of battle where a beatboxer uses the Boss RC-505, along with other hardwares, to loop, add effects to, and add other modifications to their beatboxing to create music.
Tag Team
A Tag Team battle is when two beatboxers from the same country perform a routine at the same time, against another Tag Team.
Tag Team Loopstation and Crew
In 2020, Swissbeatbox announced a new Tag Team Loopstation category, a combination of Tag Team and Loopstation, where two beatboxers use two loopstations at the same time. They also announced Crew battles, where teams of 3-5 beatboxers battle on stage.
After the GBB is held, a smaller series of battles called a "7toSmoke" is held, where seven beatboxers repeatedly battle, taking one turn each. The first beatboxer to win seven rounds is declared the winner and sometimes given a guaranteed spot in the elimination round of next years GBB.
