Kevin Olusola
High-energy cello meets intricate beatboxing. A virtuosic blend of classical precision and hip-hop rhythm that fills the room with organic, percussive energy.
High-energy cello meets intricate beatboxing. A virtuosic blend of classical precision and hip-hop rhythm that fills the room with organic, percussive energy.
Kevin Olusola creates a sound that feels both ancient and futuristic. By anchoring his music in the rich, resonant tones of the cello and layering it with the sharp, percussive textures of beatboxing, he bridges the gap between the concert hall and the club. It is music that breathes, relying on the physical exertion of a single performer to create a wall of sound that usually requires an entire ensemble.
What truly sets him apart is the 'celloboxing' technique, where the cello acts as the melodic lead, the bassline, and the rhythmic counterpoint all at once. His arrangements often take familiar pop melodies and strip them down to their skeletal essence before rebuilding them with complex, syncopated rhythms. It is a masterclass in how to use a traditional instrument in a way that feels entirely modern and urgent.
Start with 'The Renegade EP' to hear the full breadth of his solo vision. It showcases his ability to transform the cello into a versatile tool for storytelling, moving from delicate, sweeping bows to aggressive, percussive strikes that demand your full attention.
Kevin Oluwole Olusola, also known as K.O., (born October 5, 1988) is an American singer-songwriter, beatboxer, and cellist. Olusola is best known as the beatboxer of the a cappella group Pentatonix. After the group won NBC's The Sing-Off in 2011, they released eleven albums, which have sold over 2 million records, and have amassed more than two billion views on their YouTube channel. Olusola has also been identified as developing the art of "celloboxing" (playing cello and beatboxing simultaneously). His celloboxing version of Mark Summer's "Julie-O" went viral in April 2011, which led him to become involved with Pentatonix. Olusola has performed at classical musical festivals such as the Amsterdam Cello Biennale and the Kronberg Academy Festival, opened the TED Conference in Vancouver, and was chosen by Quincy Jones to represent him in concert at the 2012 Montreux Jazz Festival on the same program as Bobby McFerrin and Chick Corea.
Shares contemporary r&b, chamber pop, jazz fusion (subgenres); hi fi, layered dense, studio polished (production style)
Shares triumphant, hopeful, energetic (moods); hi fi, live recording, studio polished (production style)
Shares triumphant, energetic, hopeful (moods); rooftop, urban night (atmosphere)
Shares contemporary r&b, chamber pop (subgenres); hi fi, layered dense, studio polished (production style)
Shares studio polished, hi fi, layered dense (production style); contemporary r&b, jazz fusion (subgenres)
Shares triumphant, energetic, hopeful (moods); hi fi, studio polished (production style)
Shares contemporary r&b, jazz fusion (subgenres); rooftop, urban night, cathedral (atmosphere)
Shares neoclassical, cello, cathedral, triumphant (signature)
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