Wise

Leonardo Roman (born August 20, 1965 in Fajardo) better known as Wise of the hip hop group Stetsasonic.

Life and career

Early Life

Even though his parents lived in the Bronx, New York, Roman was born prematurely in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, when his mother was on vacation to visit her own mother. He had two older brothers Juan and Jose.

In 1969 his family moved to Brooklyn on Williams Avenue, New Lots. There he learnt beatboxing from Daniel Welfare, who had learnt it from Darren Robinson.

In 1971(?) he went to PS2 60 elementary school.

In 1977(?) he attended IS 364 Junior High School.

From 1979(?) to 1982(?) he went to Canarsie High School.

Due to his Puertorican roots Roman was influenced by Latin music like salsa and merengue, but also disco music of the era.

The first rap song that he heard was "King Tim III (Personality Jock)" by The Fatback Band, which was the first rap song to come out ever. He was also inspired by "Superrappin'" by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five.

He moved to New Jersey in 1985 and to Virginia in 2008.

Musical career

Roman self-taught person and learnt several instruments that his father brought home from work like Accordeon, Violin, Drumset, Guitar.

Before Roman started beatboxing he played the Kazoo while banging drumsounds on the table.

He learnt beatboxing from Daniel Welfare, who had learnt it from Darren Robinson, who also grew up in the same neighborhood.

In High School met Mark Morales, who later became a member of The Fat Boys. Roman beatboxed while Morales was rapping.

Although Wise was a student at Canarsie High School he had his first public performance at South Shore at a talent competition in 1982(?).

In 1985 he also appeared in a beatbox competition at a TV show hosted by Bill Boggs at 11 p.m. in 1985 (?).

Beatboxing

Scratches

Beatbox style

Scratch Sounds

Later life

He moved to New Jersey in 1985 and to Virginia in 2008.