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entry submission info

How can I enter the UKBC?

Once entry submissions are announced you can then read the entry submissions guidelines, record your entry and fill out the entry form for your chosen category.

Please enter one submission form per category you wish to enter (i.e. if you want to enter the Solo & Loopstation category please enter two separate submission forms for each category).

What battle categories are there?

Solo, Team (2 vs 2), Loopstation & Under 18s categories. Info on guidelines and rules are below.

Do I need to be UK Citizen/Resident to enter the UKBC?

All participants in the UKBC must be a UK Citizen or Resident. If you are not a UK Citizen or have only been a UK Resident for a short amount of time you may be permitted to participate if you plan to continue to reside in the UK and agree to represent the UK while you are the reigning champion at future battles and events.

If you are a dual/multi national then you are permitted entry but must have not entered another national battle that year (e.g. if you are a French and UK dual national and have entered the French Championships in the past 12 months then you will not be allowed to enter the UKBC OR if you enter the UKBC you will not be allowed to enter the French Championships).

We do not aim to exclude anyone from the UKBC due to their nationality but our goal is to have a UKBC Champion who will represent the UK at future events and battles.

If you are unsure, please contact us at admin@ukbeatboxchampionships.com so we can discuss with you further.

Can I process the audio of my entry?

Entries to UK Beatbox Championships may process audio mix after recording under the following rules:

  • The following effects processes may be used in the following categories:
    • Solo: EQ, Compression (including Multiband Compression) and Reverb.
    • Under 18s: EQ, Compression (including Multiband Compression) and Reverb.
    • Tag Team: EQ, Compression (including Multiband Compression) and Reverb
    • Loopstation: EQ and Compression (including Multiband Compression)
  • The use of a noise remover is permitted to remove background noise such as “hissing” from the recording.
  • No automation of any kind may be used on the parameters of the effects listed.
    This includes but not limited to:
    • Changing parameters over time of the entry.
    • Mixing different sounds with separate settings.
    • Use of AI or computerised automation such as Dynamic EQ or LFO’s. 
  • For the Team category, each member of the Team is permitted to use a different microphone and each have different processing (as above stated) applied, however automation is still  strictly not allowed. 
  • In the event that the Judges/UKBC team suspects that these rules have not been followed, we may request a meeting with you and/or the engineer who mixed/mastered the audio of the entry.
  • If you are found to have not followed these rules, your entry may face disqualification.
What are the Solo Entry guidelines?

Submit a Solo Video Submission of up to 1:30 minutes (90 seconds) +/- 5% in length. Not sticking to the length may result in marking your entry down. Your spoken intro to your entry is not included in this time limit.

At the beginning of your Solo Video Submission you must say, “My name is ________ and this is my submission to the UK Beatbox Championships 2024 Solo Category”. Upload your video to YouTube with the title “Your Name – 2024 UK Beatbox Championships Solo Entry”.

Entry videos must be shot live and overdubbing is not allowed. You can use minimal audio fx such as eq, compression and reverb and no automation of any kind is allowed. For more in-depth info on audio processing please read the “Can I process the audio of my entry?” question.

Judges will rank all entries and the Top 24 ranked Solo Battlers will enter the live Eliminations 2nd February 2024. From this a Top 16 will then be ranked and selected to join the battles on 3rd February 2024.

What are the Team (2v2) Entry guidelines?

Submit a Team (2v2) Video Submission of up to 2:00 minutes (120 seconds) +/- 5% in length. Not sticking to the length may result in marking your entry down. Your spoken intro to your entry is not included in this time limit.

At the beginning of your Team Video Submission you must say, “Our name is ________ and this is our submission to the UK Beatbox Championships 2024 Team Category”. Upload your video to YouTube with the title “Your Name – 2024 UK Beatbox Championships Team Entry”.

Entry videos must be shot live and overdubbing is not allowed. You can use minimal audio fx such as eq, compression and reverb and no automation of any kind is allowed. For more in-depth info on audio processing please read the “Can I process the audio of my entry?” question.

Both team members must fill out an entry form with their details so we can contact both members so any important information does not get missed.

Judges will rank all entries and a Top 8 will be chosen to participate in the live eliminations on 2nd February 2024. From this, a Top 4 will be selected to join the battles on 3rd February.

What are the Loopstation Entry guidelines?

This year we are limiting the looping category to 1 device. Either a Boss RC505 MK1 or Boss RC505 MK2 only is allowed. You may also use 1 midi controller (such as a Novation Launchpad) for extra functionality, but this midi controller must not have any additional sounds or effects built into or produced from it.

Please contact us at loopstation@ukbeatboxchampionships.com if you are unsure if your midi device is allowed for use.

No keyboards, computers or laptops are permitted and all sounds must be created by the human anatomy. Looping external, non human sounds or things like recording the metronome in your loops to be played out is not allowed. Also, your output must be a stereo pair and nothing more (things like multiple outputs is not allowed).

Entry videos must be shot live and pre-recorded/ overdubbing is not allowed. You can use minimal audio fx such as eq, compression and reverb and no automation of any kind is allowed. For more in-depth info on audio processing please read the “Can I process the audio of my entry?” question.

Submit a Loopstation Video Submission of up to 3:00 minutes (180 seconds) +/- 5% in length. Not sticking to the length may result in marking your entry down. Your spoken intro to your entry is not included in this time limit.

At the beginning of your Loopstation Video Submission you must say, “My name is ________ and this is my submission to the UK Beatbox Championships 2024 Loopstation Category”. Upload your video to YouTube with the title “Your Name – 2024 UK Beatbox Championships Loopstation Entry”

Judges will rank all entries and a Top 8 will be chosen to participate in the live eliminations on 2nd February 2024. From this, a Top 4 will be selected to join the battles on 3rd February.

What are the Under 18 Entry guidelines?

*IMPORTANT* Under 18s participants must be 14+ and no older than 17 years old upon entry and on the day of the battles. Under 18 battlers must also be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian (must provide ID) on the day of battles. If participants cannot attend the event with an adult then please inform UKBC in advance as permission into the event and venue will not be allowed.

Submit an Under 18 Video Submission of up to 1:30 minutes (90 seconds) +/- 5% in length. Not sticking to the length may result in marking your entry down. Your spoken intro to your entry is not included in this time limit.

At the beginning of your Under 18 Video Submission you must say, “My name is ________ and this is my submission to the UK Beatbox Championships 2024 Under 18 Category”. Upload your video to YouTube with the title “Your Name – 2024 UK Beatbox Championships Under 18s Entry”.

Entry videos must be shot live and overdubbing is not allowed. You can use minimal audio fx such as eq, compression and reverb and no automation of any kind is allowed. For more in-depth info on audio processing please read the “Can I process the audio of my entry?” question.

Judges will rank all entries and the Top 8 will then be selected to join the battles on 3rd February 2024.

What is the judging criteria for entries?

Judging criteria will be based on but not limited to Originality, Musicality, Technicality, Flow/Performance and Stage Presence (live battles only).

For more information on judging criteria examples visit the battle info page here.

Media Release Form

All competitors must agree to, complete and sign a Media Release Form prior to the event to be allowed to participate in the live event. Under 18 competitors must get their parent or legal guardian to sign on their behalf.

Code of Conduct

All competitors must agree to, complete and sign a Code of Conduct form prior to the event to be allowed to participate in the live event. Under 18 competitors must get their parent or legal guardian to sign on their behalf. 

The Code of Conduct can be found here.

battle timings

eliminations

Solo Eliminations – 1 x round of 1 minute 30 secs.

Team Eliminations – 1 x round of 2 minutes.

Loopstation Eliminations – 1 x round of 3 minutes.

under 18 category

Quarter Finals – 2 x rounds of 1 minute 30 secs.

Semi Finals – 2 x rounds of 1 minute 30 secs.

Finals – 2 x rounds of 1 minute 30 secs.

solo category

Top 16 Finals – 2 x rounds of 1 minute 30 secs.

Quarter Finals – 2 x rounds of 1 minute 30 secs.

Semi Finals – 2 x rounds of 1 minute 30 secs.

Finals – 2 x rounds of 1 minute 30 secs.

team category

Semi Finals – 2 x rounds of 2 minutes.

Finals – 2 x rounds of 2 minutes.

loopstation category

Semi Finals – 2 x rounds of 3 minutes.

Finals – 2 x rounds of 3 minutes.

judging criteria

In the eliminations the shortlisting by the judges is based on whether they want to see you go through to the battle stage. The elimination is not a battle so you need to impress the judges that you have what it takes to compete.

The judges will be looking at your Musicality, Technicality, Originality and Performance. In the battles the judges will also be looking at your Engagement.

This is not an exhaustive list but some general guidelines:

Musicality
This is how musical your beatboxing is. Have you crafted your composition and arranged your routines? For example, do they build-up and finish well? Have you used melody – bass lines or lead parts – and if so, are you able to keep pitch and deliver something with good tone and timbre that sounds musically pleasing? You must also think about any lyrics and words used and make sure they are audible.
Technicality
Technicality is not just about speed. The judges will be looking for clarity, complexity and the timing of your delivery. They will be looking at the diversity of sounds you produce and the techniques you use. Do your routines bridge and flow into each other well? Do your beats hit on time and are well structured and thought out?
Originality
Remember, these are professional judges and they have heard a LOT of beatboxing. They will be looking for sounds and routines that make you stand out. Are your beats fresh and diverse? Are you biting or reusing someone else’s routine? Do you have something in your repertoire that is original and hasn’t been done before? Think original!
Performance // Stage presence
At the end of the day, the whole event is entertainment! People are attending to come and see you perform and battle. Have you captivated the audience and the judges with your routines? Are you confident and present on stage? The judges will be watching and listening to the crowd response. They will be watching how you use the stage and create a full performance in battle mode.
Engagement
A battle is a battle. This means you need to engage your opponent! The judges will be watching the ‘fight’. How are you responding to your opponent? Are you brining the heat and the energy? The judges will be looking for quick-wittedness, ingenuity and clever comebacks.

event rules & regulations

  1. Competitors must be 18 or over and resident in the UK to enter the solo category.
  2. Team and Looping battles may be 14+ (Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult with valid ID).
  3. Competitors must be 14+ and under 18 years old as well as a resident in the UK to enter the Under 18 battle (Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult with valid ID).
  4. Beatboxers who have previously competed and/or won in another country’s national competition, outside the UK may not enter the UK Beatbox Championships.
  5. All applicants are given equal opportunity to enter regardless of race, sex or experience.
  6. The Championships is split into four categories: Solo (open to all genders), Teams (open to all genders. 2 performers per team), Looping (open to all genders) and Under 18 (open to all genders).
  7. The competitors shall be selected as per the event format, from entries received via the demo submission process.
  8. The competition will comprise of an elimination round and battle rounds as outlines in the event format.
  9. The tournament is open to beatboxers only. No instruments are permitted; only sounds made using the human anatomy.
  10. Please read the entry guidelines for all rules for each category including the updated Loopstation guidelines and audio guidelines.
  11. Microphones, monitors and water will be provided. Sound levels will also be set to ensure a fair competition for all.
  12. Competitors should not perform beatbox routines as already performed in public by other beatboxers, to the best of their knowledge.  This is a courtesy. Be original!
  13. Competitors should be alert and near the stage at the beginning of the proceedings. Failure to arrive on stage when called up may result in disqualification.
  14.  A reigning champion can only compete to retain their title to a maximum of two times, leading to a string of 3 wins in a row.  Should a competitor gain their third title in a row, they shall not be eligible for the following year’s competition.
  15. Competitors who are rude, abusive, offensive, dangerous or deemed otherwise unsuitable by the organisers will be disqualified from the competition, asked to leave the venue immediately and may be banned from participating and attending future events. For more info please view the Code of Conduct here.
  16. We will keep your personal details for a reasonable time so that we can send you any prize that you have won, to verify that these rules have been complied with, and for accounting purposes. We may pass your details on to our service providers and agents for the purposes of sending you the prize on our behalf.
  17. By participating in this event you permit the recording of your contributions and assign to the organisers the complete copyright and all other rights in your contributions for use in all media. Media Release Form can be found here.
  18. The organisers will not be held liable for any damage, loss or disappointment suffered by any person taking part or not being able to take part in the tournament.
  19. We reserve the right to amend or alter the format at any time without prior notice. Entry in the competition implies acceptance of these rules.
  20. For the entrant to be a winner they must comply fully with the terms and conditions set out in this document.
  21. The winners of each category shall receive the respective title: UK Solo Champion, UK Loopstation Champion, UK Team Champions or UK Under 18 Champion.
  22. The promoters’ decision is final. The prize may not be exchanged, is non-transferable and there is no cash alternative. It is a condition of entry that all competitors agree to abide by the rules.
  23. The prize as described is available on the date of publication and is subject to availability. Events may occur that render the competition itself, or the awarding of the prize impossible due to reasons beyond our control and the participant agrees that no liability shall be attached to UK Beatbox Championships as a result thereof.
  24. Winners will agree to participate in publicity.
  25. No purchase necessary.