FAIR Crystal Artist Residency Series: Terrell X

FAIR School Crystal will be hosting a few different Artist Residency Series over the course of the 24-25 school year. 

Our second Artist Residency this year presented by Compas: Terrell X Human Beat Boxing & Vocal Percussion

Program Description: Terrell X’s adaptable Human Beat Boxing & Vocal Percussion: Your Body Is An Instrument residency is a one-of-a-kind experience. It features fun exercises delivered with a no-judgment approach. All are welcome to enjoy topics and activities that include:

• Beat Box Basics: Where did it come from?; How does it fits into the basic structure of Hip-Hop culture?
• Passion & Proper Position: getting bodies moving; boosting awareness of body part/mouth movements; producing sounds similar to those made by professional Human Beat Boxers.
• Beat Box Vocab: identifying sounds and motions by name; developing and increasing skills in complex vocalization and intricate phrasing.
• Conscience and Confidence: raising comfort levels in public speaking and live performance; displaying potent stage presence.
• Strength & Stamina: building breath-control and improving timing; learning how to count “bars” and measures; holding the rhythm and taking control of their bodies.
• Leaders Follow, Too: identifying social cues; exploring teamwork through collaboration in music composition.
• Let’s Perform!: learning how to operate instrument technology (microphones, foot pedals/looper); composing music with the body from scratch.

WHO IS TERRELL X?

Terrell X, A.K.A. Carnage The Executioner, believes that music has the incomparable power to improve the quality of our lives in countless ways. He sees it as his calling to promote the honing of abilities that allow us the opportunities to express ourselves, while identifying and strengthening our unique voices. Terrell’s constant quest to learn leads him to view himself — and participants — as both facilitators and students in constant states of artistic growth. Terrell doesn’t call himself “the expert.” This is part of what keeps him humble, enabling him to welcome the mutual exchange of knowledge and positive energies.

Terrell X has spent 30 years making music, performing live as a one-man band, touring the world, sharing stages with musical icons, and working with both youth and adults from various socio-economic backgrounds. He has a gift for producing intense, thought-provoking music and establishing strong, healthy relationships. 16 years of teaching Human Beat Boxing/vocal percussion, song writing and composing short stage plays in theater settings has helped Terrell build an impressive artist resume. Under his stage name, Carnage The Executioner, his most extensive touring period saw him traveling on roughly 15 U.S. tours between 2012 and 2020. But his reach extends all the way to Europe (5 tours between 2011 and 2013), and Asia (1 tour in 2018).

Terrell nurtures leadership skills building, speaks in favor of social justice/human rights, and encourages us all to consider the well-being of animals. He was given the Kenny Feldman Animal Advocate Award as a vegan/plant-based lifestyler in Fall of 2021 by CAA (Compassionate Action for Animals), in affiliation with Twin Cities Veg Fest. While receiving his award, he was featured as a guest speaker and live performer – which was also his first time performing at the annual Veg Fest event. Terrell was featured on the front page of Minneapolis City Pages with an in-depth cover story in September 2012, where he was referred to as “The Best Rapper (and Beat Boxer) You Have Never Heard Of” — while also receiving high praise for his 2012 Respect The Name album.

Terrell was ranked #8 in the “Top 20 best rappers from MN” in 2012 by City Pages. His Worth The Wait album was listed as ‘One Of The Best Albums Of 2011’ in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. In that same story, Terrell was said to be “…busy proving why he should be called the most skillful emcee in MN.” Furthermore, Star Tribune made the claim that “Carnage’s mouth might be the best drummer in town,” in reference to his Human Beat Boxing skills.