Killa Kela is a beatboxer from West Sussex, United Kingdom. He begins beatboxing in his teens with the 360 Physicals crew and is discovered after sending a beatboxing tape to DJ Vadim’s label Jazz Fudge. His real name is Lee Potter, and the birth year given in the input is 1983.

Career

Kela’s first release is a mixtape with Mr. Thing called Antistatic Mouthwash. He later releases the albums The Permanent Marker and Elocution, with Elocution following the earlier album in 2005. The Elocution project includes The Elysian Quartet on strings, backing vocalists Rookwood and Trip, DJ Skeletrik, and his producer Spider on keys and vocals.

He is also a member of the Isolationists, Rock Steady Crew, and The Scratch Perverts. In addition, he appears on DJ Vadim albums and tours as part of the Russian Percussion project.

Style and performance

His live act combines drum and bass, electro, and hip-hop with singing, MCing, vocal scratching, body movement, and impressions of songs by artists such as Britney Spears and Suzanne Vega. He describes his technique as Multivocalism, a term coined in 2000 by his longtime artwork collaborator Mark Splinter. He performs with a crew known as Spit Kingdom, which plays hundreds of live shows around the world.

Collaborations and appearances

Kela appears on stage with Pharrell, Justin Timberlake, Super Furry Animals, Prince, De La Soul, and Plan B. He is also known for a Fruit Pastilles advert and for regular appearances on television, including Big Brother's Little Brother.

Other releases and recognition

His single Reveal Your Inner Self is inspired by a relationship with British actress Patsy Kensit. He also releases material on his website after the breakup, including tracks that attack tabloid and celebrity magazine journalists and reflect on his own involvement with tabloid culture. His track Jawbreaker appears on the Fifa Street 2 soundtrack.

Kela is regarded as one of the leading beatboxers, alongside Kenny Muhammad and Rahzel.