Lethal FX: undisputed beatboxing champ

By John Benson

For the past few years, Austintown native Ludovic “Lethal FX” Nicolaidis has referred to himself as Youngs-town’s King of Beatboxing.

Whether or not he’s earned his title may be up for debate, but what can’t be denied is that the graphic designer by day is making inroads in what he calls the lost element of hip-hop.

“Beatboxing is basically simulating musical instruments such as drum kits, turntables, any kind of sound effects with your mouth to create music,” said Nicolaidis, a 2005 Austintown Fitch High School graduate.

“It’s just using your mouth as the instrument. And I’ve taken that a step further. I’ve learned how to beatbox with instruments such as the harmonica and the didgeridoo.”

So how long has Nicolaidis possessed this ability for vocal percussion?

“Basically, I don’t know,” Nicolaidis said. “I’ve played many instruments. The first instrument I played was the cello. And then from there I moved to an upright bass. And I played electric bass and drums a little bit. But I feel like beatboxing is one element that I’ve always excelled at. I can just get up there and entertain people musically without using any instruments at all. It’s a big thing for me and really opens up a lot of eyes because there are not a lot of people out there doing it.”

What Lethal FX is doing now is getting ready to release his second album, “The Connection,” which was produced by Max Lo at Nexus Sound Studios in Warren.

For the new project, Nicolaidis wanted to shed light on other local artists, so he invited Northeast Ohio acts to join him rapping on different tunes.

The list of guests includes Fresh n Fly, Da Kreek, Throwback, Cy Harp and Steve the Recruit. In fact, he’ll be joining the latter act for the tune “24Seven” at a Saturday show at Barley’s. People attending the show can expect to hear other new tunes, covers by Salt-N-Pepa (“Push It”) and Snoop Dogg (“Drop it Like It’s Hot”) and plenty of beatboxing.

Even though he’s somewhat of a new artist, Nicolaidis has opened for the likes of Raekwon, Young Buck, Ray Cash, Shawnna, Pretty Ricky and Bobby Valentino.

He also performed at “Lucky Penny’s Family Reunion 2009” and hosted the Downtown 36 Stage for VexFest 6.

In addition, he’s involved in the American Beatbox Championships.

Feeling as though he’s tapped into something special, the self-proclaimed Youngstown’s King of Beatboxing is optimistic his talents will lead him beyond the region.

“I’m just going to keep working,” Nicolaidis said. “I’ve really only been doing shows for a year, and I’m really happy with the connections and the people I met so far. So as long as I keep working, keep my head up and keep progressing the best I can, hopefully I’ll get nationally known at some point.”

if you go

Who: Lethal FX

When: 9 p.m. Saturday

Where: Barley’s, 21 W. Federal St., Youngstown

Info: (330) 743-6480