Speakers

Originally from California, Gene Shinozaki moved to Boston, MA, where he attended Berklee College of Music, majoring in drumming. With the goal to follow the footsteps of his favorite band, Dream Theater, Gene replicated their decision to drop out, feeling disillusioned with school. After Dropping out of Berklee, he found an interview of Reeps One on Beatbox Battle TV, which inspired him to dedicate his life to beatbox. He then immediately started busking to make money and turn this dream into a reality. Within two years, Gene began performing at popular venues and even starred in the Season Finale on Fox's hit television show "So You Think You Can Dance" (Season 10). In 2013, Gene entered his first beatbox battle, which would eventually lead him to become one of the most renown battlers in the world. Since the 2014 American Beatbox Championships, Gene has made it at least to semifinals in every battle. And in 2015, he won the Grand Beatbox Battles, held in Switzerland, making him the first American to take the title. Gene is currently one of the core members of the Brooklyn-based group, The Beatbox House. Gene has since moved to NYC to be closer to his crew.