Doug E. Fresh

Douglas E. Davis, better known by the stage name Doug E. Fresh, is an American rapper, record producer, and beat boxer, also known as the Human Beat Box. One of the earliest recorded beat boxers, Fresh is able to accurately imitate drum machines and various special effects using only his mouth, teeth, and gums.


He made his recording debut in 1983, as part of the Boo-Dah Bliss Crew on the Top Flight Records single "Pass the Boo-Dah." He gained greater recognition the following year?appearing in Beat Street, backing the Treacherous Three. Later that same year, Fresh released his first records as a solo artist: "Just Having Fun" and "Original Human Beat Box."

His 1985 single "The Show", and its B-side, "La Di Da Di," are considered early hip hop classics. The single featured the Get Fresh Crew: DJs Barry B. and Chill Will, and MC Ricky D. In 1986, Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew released their debut full-length album, Oh, My God! and were critically hailed for incorporating elements of reggae and gospel music. Besides "The Show," other notable tracks included "Play this Only at Night" and "All the Way to Heaven," the former of which incorporated the theme from the famous horror movie Phantasm. In 1988, another album, The World's Greatest Entertainer was released, which appeared on Billboard magazine's charts, due in part to the popular single "Keep Risin' to the Top." Slick Rick's input was not appreciated by the record label, Reality/Fantasy Records, and he was asked to leave the group.

In 1989, Fresh recorded the song "Spirit" for the Ghostbusters II soundtrack. A year later, he beatboxed for the song "Tag Team Partners" on Living Colour's second album Time's Up.
Fresh in San Francisco,
Fresh did not record again until 1992's Doin' What I Gotta Do, issued by MC Hammer's Bust It Records. Fresh also beatboxed the drum track of the song "Freaks", by dancehall reggae artist Li'l Vicious and also appeared in the video.

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