Wise

Leonardo Roman (born August 20, 1965 in Fajardo) better known as Wise, The Human Mix Machine, and Lito Brigante is a rapper and beatboxer of the hip hop group Stetsasonic.

Wise's family home on 783 Williams Avenue (2024)

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 has two older brothers Juan and Jose.

former Public School 260, which was later changed into Breuckelen School (2024)

In 1969 his family moved to Brooklyn, where they lived in a semi-detached house on the corner of Williams Avenue and Dewitt Avenue, New Lots.

In 1971(?) Roman went to PS 260 Elementary School on 875 Williams Avenue.

Gateway Intermediate School 364, which was later changed into Annex (2024)

In 1977(?) he attended IS 364 Junior High School on 1426 Freeport Loop.

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 (the first rap record ever). He was also heavily inspired by further releases like "Superrappin'" by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five|The Furious Five and songs by The Sugarhill Gang.

Musical career

Roman is a 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 his friend Daniel Welfare, who had learnt it from Darren Robinson, whose family home was located just a few blocks away on Schenck Avenue in the same district.

While in Canarsie High School Roman 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 (?).

Beatbox style

Wise also calls himself The Human Mix Machine as he was the first beatboxer to perform vocal scratching and record it on vinyl.

Later life

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