Joel Turner (musician)
Encyclopedia
Joel Turner is an Australian beatboxer, singer, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...

, instrumentalist and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...

 best known for the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

n hit song "These Kids
These Kids
"These Kids" is the first single from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets' self-titled debut album Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets. The song was written in December 2001, with the music composed by Turner and the lyrics written by his older brother Tim ."These Kids" achieved huge success in...

". As a beatboxer, he is recognised for his raw power, deep bass, and trademark sounds such as his "third voice", cowbell, teeth beats and bass guitar. He was the victor at the World Beatboxing Championships in 2005 and retained the title until 2009.

Turner first appeared at the auditions for the 2003 season of Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...

, where he drew attention for his beatbox skills. Although praised but deemed unsuitable for the competition, Turner was nevertheless voted "Most Popular of the Unforgettables" and performed at the 2003 Idol Grand Final at the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...

. He was later signed and managed by Idol judge Mark Holden
Mark Holden
Mark Holden is an Australian singer, television personality and barrister. He was one of a panel of three judges on the television series Australian Idol.-Acting career:...

, together with rappers the Modern Day Poets (MDP), consisting of Turner's older brother Tim Turner (aka "DubLT" – left the group in 2005, replaced by Kitchener "KNO" Wesche) and their cousin Chris Turner (sometimes credited as Chris Heiner, aka "C4").

As of 2010, Turner has released two full-length albums and toured extensively. He has also appeared in several television commercials, most famously for Drumstick Loaded icecream.

Early life (1987–2002)

Turner had an underprivileged childhood, growing up in the lower-middle class suburb of Acacia Ridge
Acacia Ridge, Queensland
Acacia Ridge is a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Acacia Ridge is south of the central business district. The population in the 2001 census was 6648....

 in Brisbane's
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...

 south. His mother Grace struggled to raise five children on a sole-parent pension. According to Turner's brother Tim, "we grew up with nothing. You know – nothing. St Vinnie's clothes, no food in the pantry, nothing. Mum would get paid on Thursday and the food was gone Saturday."

Turner's father, also a guitarist (who played in Richard Clapton's
Richard Clapton
Richard Clapton is an Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist from Sydney, New South Wales. His solo top 20 hits on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart are "Girls on the Avenue" and "I Am an Island"...

 band as well as various outfits around Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...

), left before Turner was born and returned only briefly when Turner was two years old. He later died of a heroin overdose in 1999. Turner has expressed regret at not having known his father and considers his music career to be a tribute to his father's memory. "I just felt sad that I never really got the chance to know him. And because he didn't die in the nicest way. He died in a tragic way." "I've done all of this to honour his memory, because he didn't get the chance to make it in the music industry."

Turner is said to have shown an aptitude for music from a young age. He began playing drums at the age of seven but was unable to afford a drum kit of his own. He thus began using his mouth to sound the rhythms as a means of practice, initially creating beats by grinding his teeth together. In 2001, after being informed by a friend that what he was doing was an artform known as "beatboxing
Beatboxing
Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. It may also involve singing, vocal imitation of turntablism, and the simulation of horns, strings, and other musical instruments...

", Turner was inspired to develop his skills further, studying the genre and its artists, practising constantly and competing in battles. In addition to his background in percussion, Turner has reportedly sung since the age of seven and played guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...

 since nine.

Australian Idol and Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets (2003–2005)

Turner began performing and writing songs with his family members as a child. Along with his cousin, he joined his brother in the group Modern Day Poets, which was later changed to "Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets" to capitalize on Turner's fame through Australian Idol. It was Turner's cousin who suggested the trio audition for the show, as nothing more than a bit of a fun and an opportunity to gain exposure.

The genesis of the song "These Kids
These Kids
"These Kids" is the first single from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets' self-titled debut album Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets. The song was written in December 2001, with the music composed by Turner and the lyrics written by his older brother Tim ."These Kids" achieved huge success in...

" occurred in December 2001 when Turner's brother asked him to compose some music for the lyrics he had written. The track was originally recorded in Cairns, Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...

, with funding from a family friend. It was this demo recording that would later help the group to secure a record contract with Mark Holden
Mark Holden
Mark Holden is an Australian singer, television personality and barrister. He was one of a panel of three judges on the television series Australian Idol.-Acting career:...

, who had been impressed with Turner's beatboxing
Beatboxing
Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. It may also involve singing, vocal imitation of turntablism, and the simulation of horns, strings, and other musical instruments...

 and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...

 skills and had asked to hear some songs from him. After the track's release, the group received a great deal of feedback from young people who identified with the issues mentioned in the song, such as drugs, depression, suicide, and living on the streets.

Following his signing to Holden's label Dream Dealers in early 2004, Turner spent the year recording and promoting his debut album and appearing at events such as the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, Telethon, and the Youth Alive Festival
Youth Alive
Youth Alive is a not-for-profit multi-denominational Christian organisation dedicated to reaching the youth of Australia with the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is run on a state-based structure with offices in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia...

. He also appeared at the Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...

final for 2004 with a symphony orchestra and six beatboxers known as the Beatbox Alliance, who were assembled via a competition on Australian Idol judged by Turner and Holden.

Turner's first single "These Kids
These Kids
"These Kids" is the first single from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets' self-titled debut album Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets. The song was written in December 2001, with the music composed by Turner and the lyrics written by his older brother Tim ."These Kids" achieved huge success in...

" was written by DubLT after a friend committed suicide and was later dedicated to Joel Turner's troubled childhood neighbour and friend. It debuted in the top 5 of the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

n singles charts in October 2004. The single reached number one on the Australian singles chart and remains the highest selling release by an Australian hip-hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...

 act ever.

The self-titled Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets
Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets (album)
Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets is a collaborative studio album from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets. It was released on 1 November 2004, peaking at #28 on the ARIA albums chart and #2 on the AIR independent charts, additionally achieving platinum status.The album consists of twelve full...

album was released on 1 November 2004 and was hailed by Beat magazine as "the most accomplished and shockingly brilliant debut of 2004". Most of the songs featured Turner's vocal percussion, alongside eight tracks of pure beatboxing. Guests on the album included boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...

 Anthony Mundine
Anthony Mundine
Anthony Mundine is an Australian professional boxer and former rugby league footballer.He is the current interim WBA Light Middleweight Champion boxer, former two-time WBA Super Middleweight Champion, former IBO Middleweight Champion and New South Wales State of Origin representative footballer....

 rapping on a track called "Knock U Out
Knock U Out
"Knock U Out" is the second single from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets' self-titled album Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets. It features a guest appearance by boxer Anthony Mundine....

" (released as the second single and reached #14; Turner and the Modern Day Poets also performed at one of Mundine's bouts on the Gold Coast
Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...

), as well as Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...

contestants Rebekah LaVauney and Axle Whitehead
Axle Whitehead
Axle Whitehead is a former Australian Video Hits TV host and current singer, musician, and actor. In 2008, he released his first studio album Losing Sleep which debuted outside of the ARIA top 50...

, with Whitehead appearing on the track "Scatbox". The album reached the top 30 of the ARIA
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...

 albums chart and achieved platinum status. The third single was "Funk U Up
Funk U Up
"Funk U Up" is the third single from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets' self-titled album Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets.The song is a blend of hip-hop and Turner’s 70s funk guitar stylings. The rapping is courtesy of the Modern Day Poets, while Turner performs the instrumentation, chorus,...

", which debuted at #17 on the ARIA charts in May 2005 and peaked at #13. A fourth single titled "Respect
Respect (Joel Turner song)
"Respect" is the fourth single from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets' self-titled debut album. The verses are performed by the Modern Day Poets , with Turner contributing the chorus, bass and beatbox backing. A piano riff was supplied by Mefi Puni and Bryan Bouro.The song is essentially a...

" was released in October 2005, reaching #29.

In January 2005, Turner and the Modern Day Poets embarked on their first national tour, accompanied by the Beatbox Alliance and multi-instrumentalist Dylan Hartas. In addition to shows at various pubs, clubs, schools and theatres, high-profile gigs on the tour included the Big Day Out Festival
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...

, the Melbourne International Music Festival/Tsunami Benefit (where Turner also performed with Michael Franti
Michael Franti
Michael Franti is an American poet, musician, and composer. He is the creator and lead vocalist of Michael Franti & Spearhead, a band that blends hip hop with a variety of other styles including funk, reggae, jazz, folk, and rock...

 and Spearhead), 5th Element, the Channel V
Channel V
Channel [V] is the brand name for multiple international music television networks owned by STAR TV and Fox International Channels, fully owned subsidiaries of News Corporation.-Channel [V] International:...

 Billabong Detour, the Byron Bay East Coast Blues and Roots Festival
East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival
The East Coast International Blues & Roots Music Festival, also known as Byron Bay Bluesfest, is an annual music festival held for five days over the Easter long weekend at Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia...

, the West Coast Blues and Roots Festival
West Coast Blues & Roots Festival
The West Coast Blues 'n' Roots Festival is an annual music festival held in Fremantle, Western Australia. It features many blues and roots performers, both international and local.-History:...

, and the Cosmonautical Youth Festival.

In March 2005, Turner appeared at the TV Week Logie Awards after show and also attended the MTV Australia Video Music Awards, where he was nominated for the "Supernova" Award.

During the middle stages of 2005, Turner and his crew took part in the Coke
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...

 Live '05 Sessions – a series of gigs for Under 18's held across Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

 in de-licensed venues. In July, Turner had the honour of opening for US rapper Ice T
Ice T
Tracy Marrow , better known by his stage name Ice-T, is an American musician and actor.He was born in Newark, New Jersey and moved to the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles when he was in the 7th grade. After graduating from high school he served in the United States Army for four years...

 at a concert in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...

. Other performances during this time included Warriors Realm IV and the Nova Pimp parties held across Australia, as well as the Stylin' Up Festival in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...

, the Supernatural Conference, and the Exoday Festival in Bundaberg.

In September 2005, Turner was crowned World Beatbox Champion at the Hip Hop World Challenge in Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...

, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

, where his conquests included the UK champion Faith SFX and Belgian champ RoxorLoops. He also paired with Beatbox Alliance member Tom Thumb (as the duo "Attention Deficit Disaudio") to win the Team World Championship.

On returning to Australia, Turner was a special guest artist at the 2005 Schools Musical Spectacular in Bendigo and performed with 2003 Idol winner Guy Sebastian
Guy Sebastian
Guy Theodore Sebastian is an Australian pop, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter who was the first winner of Australian Idol in 2003. He is currently a judge on the Australian version of The X Factor. Sebastian has released six top ten platinum/multi platinum albums, including a number-one and...

 at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. He was also a judge at Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...

's "Are You a Natural" competition. A DVD titled Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets with the Beatbox Alliance
Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets with the Beatbox Alliance
Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets with the Beatbox Alliance is a DVD released by Australian hip hop musician Joel Turner. It was Turner's first DVD release and contains live performances...

was released in October 2005, which documented Turner's touring experiences and included live footage from the West Coast Blues and Roots Festival
West Coast Blues & Roots Festival
The West Coast Blues 'n' Roots Festival is an annual music festival held in Fremantle, Western Australia. It features many blues and roots performers, both international and local.-History:...

 held earlier in the year.

Around this time, Turner and the Modern Day Poets received three nominations for Australia's prestigious ARIA Awards – Best Independent Release and Best Urban Release for their self-titled album, and Breakthrough Artist (Single) for "These Kids
These Kids
"These Kids" is the first single from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets' self-titled debut album Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets. The song was written in December 2001, with the music composed by Turner and the lyrics written by his older brother Tim ."These Kids" achieved huge success in...

". The group would later receive an ARIA
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...

 No. 1 Chart Award in honour of their debut single.

Move to Hardwax, Out of the Box and assault (2006–2008)

For the remainder of 2005 and into 2006, Turner continued to perform gigs with both the Modern Day Poets and Attention Deficit Disaudio partner Tom Thumb, notably appearing on stage at a show by beatboxing legend Rahzel
Rahzel
Rahzel M. Brown, also known as simply Rahzel, is an American musician and virtuoso beatboxer, formerly a member of The Roots.Nicknamed the "Godfather of Noyze," Rahzel is known for an ability to sing or rap while simultaneously beatboxing, as evidenced in his performances of "Iron Man" and his...

 in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...

. Turner also spent time performing at various schools throughout Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

, as well as events such as the Pacific Brands Fashion Show
Pacific Brands
Pacific Brands is a major Australian company marketing Berlei, Bonds, Clarks , Dunlop, Everlast, Grosby, Holeproof, Hush Puppies, King Gee, Malvern Star, Sheridan, Slazenger, Sleepmaker and Tontine . It once held the Asian Pacific licence for British Knights footwear. It was formed as a division of...

, Foxtel
Foxtel
Foxtel is an Australian pay television company, operating cable, direct broadcast satellite television and IPTV services. It was formed in 1995 through a joint venture established between Telstra and News Corporation....

's 10th Birthday celebrations, the Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...

 and Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...

 Auto Salon exhibitions, and the 2006 Gold Coast Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...

. In addition, Turner and MDP made their acting
Acting
Acting is the work of an actor or actress, which is a person in theatre, television, film, or any other storytelling medium who tells the story by portraying a character and, usually, speaking or singing the written text or play....

 debut, appearing in two episodes of the interactive comedy Forget the Rules.

In January 2006, Turner undertook a televised performance with his band and special guest Axle Whitehead
Axle Whitehead
Axle Whitehead is a former Australian Video Hits TV host and current singer, musician, and actor. In 2008, he released his first studio album Losing Sleep which debuted outside of the ARIA top 50...

 at the Australia Day Live Concert
Australia Day Live Concert
Australia Day Live is a concert on the grounds of Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, hosted each year on 25 January. The concert, first launched in 2004, features music from Australian artists and musicians...

 in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...

. In a corresponding interview with music show Video Hits
Video Hits (Australian TV series)
Video Hits was an Australian music video program that first aired on 15 February 1987. From 7 May 2011 it broadcasted on Network Ten for two hours each Saturday and Sunday morning: 10am – 12pm on Saturdays and 8am – 10am on Sundays. Video Hits was the world's second longest running music show...

, Turner revealed that they had left their deal with Mark Holden
Mark Holden
Mark Holden is an Australian singer, television personality and barrister. He was one of a panel of three judges on the television series Australian Idol.-Acting career:...

 and were looking to start their own record label.

Subsequent gigs included the Australian Hip Hop United benefit concert, Parkfest, the Bring It On Youth Festival, and Force '06. In April 2006, Turner made frequent appearances at the Royal Easter Show
Royal Easter Show
Royal Easter Show may refer to:* Sydney Royal Easter Show* Auckland Royal Easter Show...

 in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...

, performing several shows a day and hosting beatbox workshops.

In June, Turner and the Modern Day Poets performed at the APRA
APRA Awards
The APRA Music Awards are several award ceremonies run in Australia and New Zealand by Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually....

 songwriting awards in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...

, where they had two songs nominated in the "Most Performed Urban Work" category. Turner spent the latter half of 2006 working on a new album and also formed a production company called Two Kingz Produktionz with up-and-coming Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...

 MC Preech. In October 2006, it was announced that Turner had signed a new deal with Rajon Music
Rajon Music Group
The Rajon Music Group was formed in July 2000 by John Evans after the merger of 3 leading independent record labels...

 for himself and his company Modern Day Productions.

In early 2007, Turner released a single named "All Night Long
All Night Long (Joel Turner song)
"All Night Long" is an independent hip-hop single by Australian artist Joel Turner. It was released on 24 February 2007 and received moderate airplay on television and radio, with influential music show Video Hits screening it only once....

" featuring Israel
Israel (singer)
Israel Cruz is an Australian singer-songwriter and record producer.-Albums:-Singles:- Songwriting credits :*Elen Levon**"Naughty" *Jessica Mauboy**"Been Waiting" **"What Happened to Us"...

, Stan Bravo and C4 (AUS#38 March 2007). He also spent time recording in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

, where he was invited to perform at a show by legendary hip-hoppers De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...

. Turner later toured public schools in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...

, such as Lyneham High School and Alfred Deakin High School
Alfred Deakin High School
Alfred Deakin High School is a government secondary school in Deakin, Australian Capital Territory, covering years 7 to 10 in the Territory's education system. It is named after the second Australian Prime Minister, Alfred Deakin.- History :...

, as well as others around Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

 in support of his association with "Just Dream", a program aimed at imparting teenagers with values such as non-violence and accountability. Turner also made a return to the small screen, performing on the "Friday Night Live" edition of reality TV show Big Brother.

On 29 July 2007, Turner suffered a badly broken jaw after being struck in the face with a fence paling while attempting to break up a fight at a party in suburban Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...

. He was admitted to hospital where he underwent surgery to have his jaw wired back together. Turner subsequently resumed performing less than a month after the incident occurred, in spite of doctors' orders. He later maintained in the August edition of S-press magazine that the attack had not fazed him.

August 2007 saw the release of a new single "City of Dreams
City of Dreams (Joel Turner song)
"City of Dreams" is the first single from Joel Turner's second studio album Out of the Box.It was released on August 25, 2007 and features Turner on vocals, beatbox and acoustic guitar, with rappers C4 and KNO performing the verses...

" featuring C4 (Modern Day Poets) and KNO (Beatbox Alliance, Modern Day Poets). It debuted at #60 on the ARIA
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...

 singles charts, but promptly rose to #30 despite an absence of airplay. The video for the song (showcasing Turner's hometown of Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...

) was released online in conjunction with a 15-minute documentary titled This Kid. Along with an uncensored version of "City of Dreams
City of Dreams (Joel Turner song)
"City of Dreams" is the first single from Joel Turner's second studio album Out of the Box.It was released on August 25, 2007 and features Turner on vocals, beatbox and acoustic guitar, with rappers C4 and KNO performing the verses...

", the documentary included footage of Turner revisiting his old neighbourhood of Acacia Ridge
Acacia Ridge, Queensland
Acacia Ridge is a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Acacia Ridge is south of the central business district. The population in the 2001 census was 6648....

 and previewing forthcoming tunes on acoustic guitar.

Turner's much-delayed second album Out of the Box
Out of the Box (Joel Turner album)
Out of the Box is the second studio album from Joel Turner. It was first planned for release in early 2006 but did not reach stores until October 6, 2007. No reason has been given for the many postponements....

was eventually released on 6 October 2007 through Central Station's hip-hop sub-label Hardwax. It included collaborations with members of De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...

 and the Modern Day Poets, as well as UK rapper Mystro
Mystro
Kevin Amarfio is a British hip hop MC better known by the name Mystro.-History:Mystro first recorded appearance was in 1998, as the featured artist on Cane's "The Struggle" 12". In 1999, Mystro released the "Kiss That Arse Goodnight" single, featuring Jargon and Skinnyman, on Deal Real Records...

 and Australian artist Preech. Although Turner considered it to be superior to his debut release, the album was overlooked by critics and did not achieve the commercial success of its predecessor.

Having recovered from his injury, Turner set about touring his second album Out of the Box
Out of the Box (Joel Turner album)
Out of the Box is the second studio album from Joel Turner. It was first planned for release in early 2006 but did not reach stores until October 6, 2007. No reason has been given for the many postponements....

, performing in schools and venues in cities across Australia. He headlined events such as the Urban Youth Arts Warehouse Fest, Xposed, and the Buzz Monkey National Breakdancing Championships, then spent early December performing several shows a day at the ASIMO
ASIMO
is a humanoid robot created by Honda. Introduced in 2000, ASIMO, which is an acronym for "Advanced Step in Innovative MObility", was created to be a helper to people. With aspirations of helping people who lack full mobility, ASIMO is used to encourage young people to study science and mathematics...

 exhibition in his hometown of Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...

. Turner also received a further two nominations in the Urban division of the APRA Awards
APRA Awards
The APRA Music Awards are several award ceremonies run in Australia and New Zealand by Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually....

 held in mid-June 2008.

Aside from occasional television appearances, Turner spent most of 2008 away from the public eye, his only prominent performances taking place during De La Soul's set at the Gold Coast's Summafieldayze Festival in January and Melbourne's "Make a Change Concert" in April.

In October the same year, Turner submitted a victim impact statement to the Beenleigh District Court
District Court of Queensland
The District Court of Queensland is a court in Queensland, a state of Australia. It has jurisdiction to hear:* appeals from decisions of the Magistrates' Court of Queensland;...

 and declared that the broken jaw he sustained in 2007 had rendered him unable to adequately promote his second album Out of the Box, which he claimed was detrimental to the album's sales. The court was told that Turner's recovery period had also cost him money in lost earnings. Describing the assault as unprovoked and gratuitously violent, the prosector stated: "The attack nearly pulled the plug on his beatbox career." Turner's attacker was consequently sentenced to jail. During a November feature story on Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...

 news program A Current Affair, Turner spoke out about the impact of the assault and was reportedly working on a new album.

Future direction (2009 onward)

His appearances in 2009 included a performance at Brisbane's Autumn Urban Fiesta and a support slot for De La Soul's 20th Anniversary Australian tour. Turner's single "City of Dreams" was later nominated for the APRA Awards' Urban Work of the Year for the second year in a row.

The second half of 2009 saw Turner headlining annual indigenous youth festival Stylin' Up before taking part in Easterfest Spotlight's "A Jazzmagical Christmas" spectacular. He also lent his support to the White Ribbon Foundation's Men in the Mall event as part of their campaign for the resolution of violence against women. Having most recently performed at the Ibiza Downunder showcase on Australia Day
Australia Day
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia...

, Turner is now reported to be planning a "Learn to Beatbox" DVD, with an imminent release scheduled for his third album in 2010.

Influences

He cites his musical influences as blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...

 legends B.B. King, Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...

, Carlos Santana
Carlos Santana
Carlos Augusto Alves Santana is a Mexican rock guitarist. Santana became famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band, Santana, which pioneered rock, salsa and jazz fusion...

, Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...

 and Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stephen Ray "Stevie Ray" Vaughan was an American electric blues guitarist and singer. He was the younger brother of Jimmie Vaughan and frontman for Double Trouble, a band that included bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton. Born in Dallas, Vaughan moved to Austin at the age of 17 and...

, as well as hip-hop artists such as Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...

, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is an American Hip-Hop/R'n'B band from Cleveland, Ohio formed in 1991. It originally consisted of rappers Layzie Bone, Flesh-n-Bone, Bizzy Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Wish Bone. Rapper Eazy-E of the group N.W.A signed Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to Ruthless Records in 1994, when Bone...

, Dr Dre, Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...

 and Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California. Cypress Hill was the first Latino hip-hop group to have platinum and multi-platinum albums, selling over 18 million albums worldwide...

.

Discography

  • Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets
    Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets (album)
    Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets is a collaborative studio album from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets. It was released on 1 November 2004, peaking at #28 on the ARIA albums chart and #2 on the AIR independent charts, additionally achieving platinum status.The album consists of twelve full...

    (2004)
  • Out of the Box
    Out of the Box (Joel Turner album)
    Out of the Box is the second studio album from Joel Turner. It was first planned for release in early 2006 but did not reach stores until October 6, 2007. No reason has been given for the many postponements....

    (2007)

Recording career

Event Year Category Work Outcome
AVMAs  2005 Supernova Award Nominee
ARIA Awards  2005 Breakthrough Artist – Single "These Kids
These Kids
"These Kids" is the first single from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets' self-titled debut album Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets. The song was written in December 2001, with the music composed by Turner and the lyrics written by his older brother Tim ."These Kids" achieved huge success in...

"
Nominee
ARIA Awards  2005 Best Urban Release Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets
Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets (album)
Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets is a collaborative studio album from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets. It was released on 1 November 2004, peaking at #28 on the ARIA albums chart and #2 on the AIR independent charts, additionally achieving platinum status.The album consists of twelve full...

Nominee
ARIA Awards  2005 Best Independent Release Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets
Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets (album)
Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets is a collaborative studio album from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets. It was released on 1 November 2004, peaking at #28 on the ARIA albums chart and #2 on the AIR independent charts, additionally achieving platinum status.The album consists of twelve full...

Nominee
ARIA No. 1 Chart Awards 2005 "These Kids
These Kids
"These Kids" is the first single from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets' self-titled debut album Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets. The song was written in December 2001, with the music composed by Turner and the lyrics written by his older brother Tim ."These Kids" achieved huge success in...

"
Winner
APRA Awards
APRA Awards
The APRA Music Awards are several award ceremonies run in Australia and New Zealand by Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually....

 
2006
APRA Awards of 2006
The Australasian Performing Right Association Awards of 2006 are a series of awards which include the APRA Music Awards, Classical Music Awards, and Screen Music Awards. The APRA Music Awards ceremony occurred on 5 June at the Sydney Four Seasons Hotel, they were presented by APRA and the...

 
Most Performed Urban Work "These Kids
These Kids
"These Kids" is the first single from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets' self-titled debut album Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets. The song was written in December 2001, with the music composed by Turner and the lyrics written by his older brother Tim ."These Kids" achieved huge success in...

"
APRA Awards
APRA Awards
The APRA Music Awards are several award ceremonies run in Australia and New Zealand by Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually....

 
2006 Most Performed Urban Work "Funk U Up
Funk U Up
"Funk U Up" is the third single from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets' self-titled album Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets.The song is a blend of hip-hop and Turner’s 70s funk guitar stylings. The rapping is courtesy of the Modern Day Poets, while Turner performs the instrumentation, chorus,...

"
APRA Awards
APRA Awards
The APRA Music Awards are several award ceremonies run in Australia and New Zealand by Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually....

 
2008
APRA Awards of 2008
The Australasian Performing Right Association Awards of 2008 are a series of awards which include the APRA Music Awards, Classical Music Awards, and Screen Music Awards. The APRA Music Awards ceremony occurred on 16 June at the Sydney Hilton, they were presented by APRA and the Australasian...

 
Urban Work of the Year "All Night Long
All Night Long (Joel Turner song)
"All Night Long" is an independent hip-hop single by Australian artist Joel Turner. It was released on 24 February 2007 and received moderate airplay on television and radio, with influential music show Video Hits screening it only once....

"
APRA Awards
APRA Awards
The APRA Music Awards are several award ceremonies run in Australia and New Zealand by Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually....

 
2008 Urban Work of the Year "City of Dreams
City of Dreams (Joel Turner song)
"City of Dreams" is the first single from Joel Turner's second studio album Out of the Box.It was released on August 25, 2007 and features Turner on vocals, beatbox and acoustic guitar, with rappers C4 and KNO performing the verses...

"
APRA Awards
APRA Awards
The APRA Music Awards are several award ceremonies run in Australia and New Zealand by Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually....

 
2009
APRA Awards of 2009
The Australasian Performing Right Association Awards of 2009 are a series of awards which include the APRA Music Awards, Classical Music Awards, and Screen Music Awards. The APRA Music Awards ceremony occurred on 23 June at the Peninsula in Melbourne, they were presented by APRA and the...

 
Urban Work of the Year "City of Dreams
City of Dreams (Joel Turner song)
"City of Dreams" is the first single from Joel Turner's second studio album Out of the Box.It was released on August 25, 2007 and features Turner on vocals, beatbox and acoustic guitar, with rappers C4 and KNO performing the verses...

"

Beatboxing

Event Year Category Status
Hip Hop World Challenge 2005 Solo Male Winner
Hip Hop World Challenge 2005 Team Winner

External links

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