Rahzel, born Rozell Manely Brown on October 6, 1964, in the Bronx, New York, is an American beatboxer, rapper, vocalist, and producer. He is best known for expanding the possibilities of human beatboxing during the 1990s, particularly through his work with the Philadelphia hip-hop band The Roots. His stage name is commonly associated with the phrase "Godfather of Noyze," reflecting his emphasis on vocal percussion, sound effects, and musical experimentation.
Rahzel developed his interest in hip-hop through the early New York scene. He attended Grandmaster Flash shows and was influenced by artists including Biz Markie, Doug E. Fresh, Buffy of the Fat Boys, Bobby McFerrin, and Al Jarreau. Before establishing himself as a performer, he worked as a roadie for the Ultramagnetic MCs. He also recorded an early beatbox appearance on "Dawn" by Mikey D and the L.A. Posse in 1987.
He joined The Roots in the mid-1990s and remained with the group until 2001. His performances added a distinctly vocal dimension to the band's live instrumentation. In addition to beatboxing, Rahzel rapped, sang, produced, and supplied vocal effects. His ability to perform a bass line or drum pattern while singing or rapping at the same time became one of his defining skills. On The Roots' albums, his contributions helped connect traditional hip-hop techniques with the group's jazz-influenced live sound. His work can be heard on releases including Do You Want More?!!!??!, Illadelph Halflife, and The Roots Come Alive.
Rahzel launched his solo career with Make the Music 2000, released by MCA in 1999. The album presented him as more than a novelty performer, combining beatboxing with conventional rapping, songwriting, and a wide range of guest appearances. Its collaborators included Erykah Badu, Q-Tip, Common, Everlast, Slick Rick, and members of The Roots. The record's hidden track, "If Your Mother Only Knew," became one of his signature performances, while "All I Know" showcased his ability to carry a song with both rhythm and vocals.
His second major release, Rahzel's Greatest Knock Outs, appeared in the early 2000s and collected performances that emphasized his live-show energy and technical command. He also became a sought-after collaborator outside hip-hop. He supplied the beatbox foundation for Ben Harper's "Steal My Kisses" and contributed to recordings by Bjork, Roni Size, The Crystal Method, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Toots and the Maytals, and Mike Patton's project Peeping Tom. The Toots and the Maytals album True Love, on which Rahzel appeared, won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.
Rahzel's voice has also been used in entertainment media. He contributed vocal performances to the SSX video game series and to the EA Sports BIG branding used during the 2000s. He narrated the film Brooklyn Babylon, further extending his work beyond recorded music.
Rather than treating beatboxing as a supporting trick, Rahzel made it the central instrument of his performances. His career helped establish vocal percussion as a serious solo discipline and introduced his one-person combination of rhythm, melody, and rap to audiences well beyond the underground hip-hop scene.