escapism

escape from reality

Escaping with beatbox

Dive deeper into the heart of beatboxing with “Escapism | Escape from Reality,” an event that’s not just about showcasing sick beats and technical prowess, but about finding a break from the chaos of everyday life. Hosted by the 555Beatbox team, this unique event was held in the vibrant and buzzing area of Middle Road, Singapore—a perfect spot to gather the community and take a step away from the grind of it all.

Let’s be real—life can get exhausting. Whether it’s school, work, or just the everyday routine, we all feel the weight. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress, to feel like there’s no escape from the noise. But for us, beatboxers, there’s always been this space we retreat to—a kind of void, where it’s just us and the sounds we create. “Escapism” is that space, an opportunity to leave everything else behind and dive headfirst into what we love—beatboxing. It’s not just about performing; it’s about expressing yourself, letting loose, and finding that peace we all crave through our passion.

This event is actually the second part of a trilogy of events: Emergence, Escapism, and Escension. Together, they symbolize the core of what 555 is all about. And if you’re wondering why “555,” it’s a little nod to the 5th letter of the alphabet repeated three times (E-E-E). It’s a reminder of the spirit of our crew—everyone, together, pushing each other forward, building something bigger than just music.

NEW BATTLE FORMAT

For the first time in 555Beatbox history, we’re shaking things up with a brand-new battle format that puts teamwork at the forefront. While it’s not your traditional tag team battle, participants will need to tap into their strategic side and work together to take down their opponents. Each team consists of two beatboxers, but rather than battling side by side, each participant faces off in individual one-on-one rounds. The real twist? The judges will evaluate the teams based on their combined performance, so it’s all about how well you and your partner can plan, adapt, and complement each other’s styles.

The event kicked off with an electrifying elimination round, cutting down over 30 eager beatboxers to just 16 top-tier contenders. From there, the top 8 were given the power to select their partners, adding another layer of strategy as they tried to form the strongest teams possible. What followed was a classic bracket-style tournament, with teams battling it out through the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and, of course, the highly anticipated final showdown.

This new format doesn’t just showcase individual skill—it demands collaboration and teamwork like never before. Whether it’s about picking the right partner or figuring out how to use each other’s strengths, this battle will be about much more than just making beats. It’s about how you can rise together.

TOP 16

Not in order

Cherry Drip

Handfx & PJ

Handphone Shop

Genix & Enkr

Why Help

Alty & Cayden

Monkey Shoulder

Alc & Capti4l

Kenz

Huh & Zeru

Bankai

Rantsy & Beheader

Black & White

Jonhattan & Dre

Unnamed

Impreza & Xavier

These are the Top 16 Participants who have qualified in Escapism Beatbox Battle; arranged within their Tag Group for the Battle, the top 8 got to choose their partners for the battle.

Champions

A massive shoutout to “Cherry Drip,” the dynamic duo of PJ and Handfx, for taking home the title! These two absolutely smashed it, and their teamwork was on another level. PJ, being not just a beatboxer but also a singer, really brought something unique to the table. The way he fused his smooth vocals into his beatboxing gave their performance that next-level vibe—like you could literally escape into the sounds they were creating. It’s no surprise they clinched the win.

What’s cool about PJ is how committed he is to the artform. He’s not just about dropping beats; he’s about creating an experience. By blending his singing with beatboxing, he brings this crazy balance between melody and rhythm that really sucks you in. Handfx, of course, killed it with his technical skills, and together they created this seamless back-and-forth that just felt natural. It wasn’t just about showing off individual talent but really understanding each other’s strengths and using that to elevate their performance.

Cherry Drip

Guest Performance

starting the party

The guest performances at “Escapism | Escape from Reality” were nothing short of electrifying. Each brought their unique flair and energy to the stage, captivating the audience. Minian’s set was a standout, as he skillfully manipulated his loop station to create electronic and club vibes that resonated throughout the venue, all produced with the versatility of the human voice. The crowd was enveloped in an atmosphere reminiscent of a vibrant nightclub, showcasing the incredible potential of beatboxing to mimic complex musical genres.

minian

SG acachamps loop champion

rydric

singapore beatbox tag champions

tag team debut

Rydric, the emerging force in the beatbox scene, marked their debut at “Escapism.” Their fresh energy and innovative drill/riddim beat had the crowd spontaneously jumping in unison, creating a pulsating sea of energy. This performance was not only their introduction to the community but also served as the basis for their wildcard submission for the Grand Beatbox Battle that year, highlighting their ambition and talent.

Judging panel

varen

singapore wg beatbox champion

Patches

OG Beatboxer

The Fool

SwissBeatbox Head of Education

The judging panel was composed of luminaries from the beatbox community, each bringing their depth of experience and expertise. Patches, an OG Beatboxer who has made his mark both in the Singaporean and Australian beatbox scenes, brought a wealth of battle experience and insights. Varen, celebrated for his victories as the Emergence Beatbox Champion and Singapore (WG) Beatbox Champion, also serves as an instructor at the 555Beatbox Academy, contributing his technical prowess and mentorship to the community. TheFool, a respected figurehead within the Singaporean beatbox community and the head of education at Swissbeatbox lent his extensive knowledge and passion for beatbox education, ensuring the judging was informed by a deep understanding of the art form. Together, these judges represented the rich heritage and bright future of beatboxing, guiding the event with their discerning eyes and celebrating the exceptional talent on display.

“Escapism | Escape from Reality” was more than just an event—it was a celebration of beatboxing culture in Singapore, a true reflection of how music can offer a break from the pressures of everyday life. For many Singaporeans, life can feel like an endless cycle of work, school, and routine, leaving little room to breathe. This event wasn’t just about showing off skills on the mic; it was a chance for the 555Beatbox community to step away from the grind and dive into a space where creativity, rhythm, and connection take over.

In a city where everything moves so fast, Escapism created a unique void—a place where everyone could disconnect from reality and express themselves freely through the raw, unfiltered power of beatboxing. It was a gathering that brought together people who share a passion for sound, rhythm, and the human voice, reminding us that sometimes we all need to escape, even if just for a moment. It marked a significant moment for beatboxing culture here in Singapore, uniting the community in one rhythm-filled celebration of art, expression, and camaraderie.