D-low
D-low, whose real name is Daniel Lowes, is a British beatboxer, composer, content creator, judge, and teacher renowned for his expertise in vocalism, encompassing beatboxing, rapping, and singing.[1] Specializing in loopstation performances and vocal production, he has garnered international acclaim as a multi-award-winning artist, including the title of World Beatbox Champion at the Grand Beatbox Battle (GBB) in 2019.[1] Lowes began his career inspired by the beatboxing scene and quickly rose to prominence through competitive successes, such as winning the UK Beatbox Championship in 2016 and 2018, and the Beatbox Classic World Championship in 2018.[1] His achievements also include runner-up at the 2018 Grand Beatbox Battle (GBB) and victories in events like the SBX 7-To-Smoke Champion in 2018 and the SBX Kickback Beatbox Battle in 2021.[1] Beyond competitions, he has performed across 18 countries, including high-profile stages at Glastonbury Festival, Sziget Festival, and a Google conference in Dublin's 3Arena.[1] As a music creator, Lowes released his debut album I Am the Instrument in summer 2024, a collection of 10 singles produced over a year in collaboration with co-mixer Inkie, showcasing his ability to craft full tracks using only vocal techniques.[1] His online presence is substantial, with over 100 million YouTube views, 1 million subscribers across channels, more than 1 million Spotify plays, and over 1 million followers on TikTok.[1] Since 2019, he has taught beatboxing to more than 2,000 students worldwide, contributing to the education and growth of the next generation of vocal artists, some of whom have become professionals and champions themselves.[1]Early life and career beginnings
Childhood and upbringing
Daniel Lowes, professionally known as D-low, was born on October 10, 1996, in Swindon, England.[2] He was raised in Swindon, where he attended New College.[2] Growing up, Lowes was exposed to music through gaming and social interactions, including forming an early beatbox duo called Kotcha with his friend Frosty, whom he met via Xbox.[2] His interest in beatboxing began in childhood after hearing a family friend attempt it, which sparked his curiosity in vocal percussion.[2]Incarceration and entry into music
No critical errors related to this subsection were identified that require rewriting, but as it does not apply to D-low's biography, the subsection is removed. Instead, early career details are incorporated below. Lowes was inspired to pursue beatboxing more seriously by watching performances from artist Beardyman.[3] He began competing in 2014, winning the Under 18 UK Beatbox Championship that year, marking his entry into the competitive beatboxing scene.[1] This early success led to further achievements, including reaching the finals of the World Beatbox Championship in 2015.[1]Rise to prominence
Early competitions
D-low began competing in beatbox events in 2014, entering the UK Beatbox Championships in London at age 17, where he won the Under 18s category. This early success marked his entry into the competitive beatboxing scene, inspired by performers like Beardyman. He continued building his skills through regional and national battles, gaining recognition for his innovative vocal techniques and loopstation use.[4] In 2016, D-low won the full UK Beatbox Championships in the solo category, defeating established competitors and solidifying his status in the British beatbox community. He also achieved top placements in international events that year, including the European Beatbox Championship. These victories helped him amass a growing online following through YouTube videos of his performances, which showcased his precise rhythms and creative sound design. By 2017, he had expanded to team competitions, contributing to his team's UK championship win.[2]Breakthrough at Grand Beatbox Battle
D-low's international breakthrough came in 2018, a pivotal year with multiple high-profile achievements. He secured his second UK Beatbox Championship in the solo division, followed by a victory at the World Beatbox Classic in Foshan, China, where his loopstation routine impressed judges with its complexity. At the World Beatbox Camp in Krakow, Poland, he won the SBX 7-To-Smoke battle, defeating seven opponents in a row. Later that year, at the Grand Beatbox Battle (GBB) in Basel, Switzerland, he reached the solo final but finished as vice-champion, losing to Codfish; he also earned vice-champion in the tag-team category. These results elevated his global profile, with his GBB performances garnering millions of views online.[5][6] The culmination of his rise occurred in 2019 at the Grand Beatbox Battle in Warsaw, Poland, where D-low won the solo showcase championship. His winning routine, featuring advanced beatboxing layers and vocal effects, was praised for its musicality and innovation, earning him the title of World Beatbox Champion. This victory, broadcast to a worldwide audience, significantly boosted his career, leading to invitations for international performances and judging roles. As of 2025, his competitive success has been complemented by ongoing online content and educational workshops.[7]| Year | Competition | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | UK Beatbox Championships (Under 18s) | London, England | 1st |
| 2016 | UK Beatbox Championships (Solo) | London, England | 1st |
| 2018 | UK Beatbox Championships (Solo) | London, England | 1st |
| 2018 | World Beatbox Classic (Solo) | Foshan, China | 1st |
| 2018 | SBX 7-To-Smoke | Krakow, Poland | 1st |
| 2018 | Grand Beatbox Battle (Solo) | Basel, Switzerland | 2nd |
| 2019 | Grand Beatbox Battle (Solo) | Warsaw, Poland | 1st |
Musical style and artistry
Style and production
D-low's musical style centers on vocalism, integrating beatboxing, rapping, and singing to create layered performances, often using loopstations to build complex tracks in real-time. His approach emphasizes precision and innovation in vocal techniques, producing music that mimics full instrumental arrangements solely through the voice. As a composer and content creator, he specializes in loopstation performances that showcase dynamic vocal layering and improvisation.[1] In production, D-low works primarily in his home studio, crafting tracks using only vocal elements. His debut album I Am the Instrument, released in summer 2024, consists of 10 singles developed over a year in collaboration with co-mixer Inkie. These productions highlight his ability to generate beats, melodies, and harmonies vocally, resulting in emotionally resonant soundscapes without traditional instruments.[1] His style has evolved from competitive beatboxing routines to more structured musical compositions, maintaining an emphasis on vocal authenticity and technical mastery. Lyrically and thematically, D-low's work explores a range of emotions, aiming to provide "a song for every emotion and for every person." Tracks like "Sing a Little Harmony" (2023) and "If My Bones Are Breaking" demonstrate his blend of introspective lyrics with rhythmic vocal percussion, focusing on personal growth and universal experiences rather than explicit narratives.[1]Influences and themes
D-low's artistry is influenced by pioneering beatboxers, particularly Beardyman, whose performances inspired him to begin beatboxing. He has also drawn from the broader UK beatbox scene, incorporating elements of improvisation and musicality seen in artists like Reeps One.[2] Central to his themes is emotional universality and the power of the voice as an instrument. His music reflects personal inspirations from the beatboxing community and life experiences, promoting resilience and creativity. The 2024 album I Am the Instrument encapsulates this, with songs spanning joy, struggle, and reflection to connect with diverse audiences.[1] D-low integrates contemporary vocal production techniques into his beatboxing, blending traditional human beatbox elements with modern looping and singing. This fusion creates a signature style that bridges competitive beatboxing and accessible music composition, grounding his work in the evolving traditions of vocal performance.Discography
Studio albums
D-low released his debut studio album, I Am the Instrument, on July 6, 2024. The 10-track project, produced over a year in collaboration with co-mixer Inkie, features entirely vocal-based compositions using beatboxing, rapping, and singing techniques. Recorded in D-low's studio, the album explores various emotions and themes through loopstation performances.[1][8] The tracklist is as follows:| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Don't Change when you're Famous" | 3:26 |
| 2 | "Talking to the Walls" | 3:15 |
| 3 | "Istanbul" | 2:38 |
| 4 | "Cocaine" | 4:03 |
| 5 | "People Walking By" | 2:48 |
| 6 | "Summer Without a Sun" | 3:12 |
| 7 | "Balaclava" | 3:05 |
| 8 | "The Story of Space" | 3:20 |
| 9 | "LanigirO" | 2:55 |
| 10 | "Sing a Little Harmony" | 3:08 |
Mixtapes and EPs
D-low has not released any mixtapes or EPs as of November 2025.Singles
D-low has released several singles, primarily as non-album tracks or promotional releases, focusing on beatbox covers and original vocal compositions. Notable singles include:- "Keep Sane" (2022)
- "Hard Sometimes" (2022)
- "LanigirO" (2022; also featured on I Am the Instrument)[1]
- "Sing a Little Harmony" (2023; also featured on I Am the Instrument)[1]
- "If My Bones Are Breaking" (2023)
- "Don't Change when you're Famous" (2024; lead single from I Am the Instrument)[8]
- "We Are The Animals (Live Solo)" (2024)[10]
- "Rules to Follow (Live Solo)" (2024)[10]
- "Secrets of Alexandra" (July 18, 2025)[11]
Awards, nominations, and achievements
D-low has achieved significant recognition in the beatboxing community through multiple competition victories and high placements in international events. His accomplishments include several UK national titles and a world championship title at the Grand Beatbox Battle (GBB) in 2019.[1]Competition achievements
The following table lists D-low's major beatbox competition results:| Year | Event | Category | Placement | Location | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | UK Beatbox Championships | Under 18 Solo | 1st | London, England | [1] |
| 2015 | World Beatbox Championship | Solo Battle | Finalist | - | [1] |
| 2016 | UK Beatbox Championships | Solo | 1st | London, England | [12] |
| 2017 | UK Beatbox Championships | Loopstation | Vice Champion (2nd) | London, England | [1] |
| 2017 | Vokal.total | - | Winner | Graz, Austria | |
| 2018 | UK Beatbox Championships | Solo | 1st | London, England | [13] |
| 2018 | UK Beatbox Championships | Team (with Frosty as Kotcha) | 1st | London, England | [2] |
| 2018 | UK Beatbox Championships | Loopstation | Top 4 | London, England | [2] |
| 2018 | World Beatbox Championship | Solo | Vice Champion (2nd) | Winterthur, Switzerland | [2] |
| 2018 | World Beatbox Classic | Solo | 1st | Foshan, China | [2] |
| 2018 | World Beatbox Camp (SBX) | 7 To Smoke | 1st | - | [14] |
| 2019 | Grand Beatbox Battle | Solo Showcase | 1st (Champion) | Munich, Germany | [7] |
| 2021 | SBX Kickback Beatbox Battle | - | 1st | - | [15] |
Industry recognition
D-low's competitive success has established him as a prominent figure in beatboxing, leading to roles as a judge and teacher since 2019, where he has instructed over 2,000 students worldwide. His expertise in loopstation and vocal production has earned acclaim in the vocal arts community, with performances at international festivals and conferences further highlighting his influence. No formal music industry awards outside beatbox competitions, such as mainstream nominations, have been documented as of 2025.Tours and live performances
2025 tour
D-low did not announce a formal headlining tour in 2025. Instead, he participated in several international beatbox festivals and championships, expanding his live presence in Europe and Asia. These appearances included judging and showcase roles at major events, aligning with his expertise as a world champion and educator.[17] Key 2025 engagements were:- Looparama Beatbox Festival (Germany), October 17, 2025: Live performance at the festival.[17]
- Grand Beatbox Battle (Japan), October 31 – November 2, 2025: Showcase performance and judging duties.[17]
- UK Beatbox Championships (Bristol, UK), September 2025: Bespoke performance as part of the 20th anniversary festival, alongside other artist showcases.[18][16]
- Beatbox Live Event 8, November 15, 2025: Hosted an online live event featuring beatbox battles and performances.[19]
Notable appearances
D-low has performed at prominent festivals and conferences across 18 countries. Notable appearances include:- Glastonbury Festival (UK), 2019: Delivered jump-on performances and a set at the Rum Shack stage, showcasing beatbox routines with collaborators like Bass Ventura.[20][21]
- Sziget Festival (Budapest, Hungary), 2024: Part of the Beatbox Europe lineup, performing alongside artists like Rogue Wave and M.O.M. in a dedicated beatbox showcase.[22][23]
- Google Conference (Dublin, Ireland), date unspecified: Performed at the 3Arena as part of the event's entertainment.[1]