Kenny Muhammad
Kenny Charles Correll (born December 3, 1968), better known for his stage name Kenny Muhammad, The Human Orchestra, Kenny X or Dr Beatbender, is a US Beatbox artist from Queens, New York.
Early Life
Correll grew up in Far Rockaway, a peninsula south of JFK airport, and lived in an apartment in one of The Edgemere Houses, which were later renamed into The Beach Channel Houses.
In 1974(?) to 1979 (?) he attended P.S. 105 Bay School on 420 Beach 51st Street.
As a teenager he joined the local baseball club, but gave it up in favor of his musical career.
In 1979(?) he went to J.H.S. 180320 Beach 104th Street, which was later changed into The Scholars Academy.
In 1982(?) he commuted to High School of Art and Design on 245 East 56th Street in Manhattan.
As a teenager Correll became friends with Ozzie, which had a strong effect on both their styles. They also performed together in shows and underground battles on the street and in subway stations (59th Street).
A car accident that punctured his left lung left no permanent damage.
Musical Career
In 1992 Correll performed as Kenny X at the Apollo Theater in Harlem and won the Amature Night contest on February 8, 1992.
https://www.historicfilms.com/tapes/45605
(min. 31:39)
Kenny Muhammad appeared on NBC's The Tonight Show hosted by Jay Leno on ???
https://youtu.be/55C0RirU3yA?t=37
When Correll was at The Manhattan Center for an event in 1998, Carrol Pope introduced him to her friend and composer David Eaton, who was also the conductor of the New York Symphony. He came to his office in the New Yorker Hotel, which is located in the same building as The Manhattan Center on 311 West 34th Street, and gave him a demonstration of his beatboxing skills. Eaton was so impressed that they immediately decided to work together.
Within a few days Eaton composed a piece for strings, which he called "Kenny's Joy" in reference to Correll's first name. When hearing the MIDI-file on their second meeting Correll immediately started beatboxing along to it, which was later recorded for a demo track later.
The piece had its premier The Manhattan Center in the same year.
https://youtu.be/55C0RirU3yA?t=89
He also gave to short performances at the TV series 30 Seconds to Fame hosted by Craig Jackson, which was aired by the Fox Network in 2003 ??? (from July 17, 2002 to June 26, 2003).
In 2010 Correll was featured in on Stan Lee's Superhuman - Super Sound Episode in the episode "Hammer Head" (Season 1, episode 3), which was aired on the History Channel on August 19, 2010.
Beatboxing
Correll popularized the Ozzie Snare.
He is considered one of the greats of beatboxing.[1] In addition to appearing in TV shows and commercials, he collaborated with other beatboxing greats such as Rahzel.
Beatbox Style
Ozzie snare (inward snare), Kenny whirl(wind),
Later Live
Later Correll moved to Mexico.