Dana McKeon is a Maltese beatboxer and singer-songwriter who has competed in several international competitions, including the Beatbox Battle World Championships and the UK Beatbox Championships.[1] She was the first female Maltese beatboxer to perform at the international level[2] and her music has been featured in several Netflix series.[3][4]
Dana McKeon | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 June 1989 Naxxar, Malta |
| Genres | Beatboxing Pop |
| Years active | 2012-present |
| Website | www |
Career
editEarly life and moving to London
editMcKeon was born on 13 June 1989 in Naxxar, Malta. In 2008, the 19 year-old McKeon was playing for Malta's junior national basketball team, when she injured her hand.[1] While recovering in her home, she began mimicking the beat of songs using her mouth. After she showed this skill to her friends, they told her that the skill is called beatboxing.[1]
McKeon was studying physiotherapy at the University of Malta, where she won a singing competition.[1] Following her graduation, she moved to London in 2012, to focus on her music. Within her first four weeks in London, she performed at over 20 gigs, which attracted the attention of several talent scouts.[5]
2012 Beatbox Battle World Championships
editMcKeon represented Malta at the 2012 Beatbox Battle World Championships in Berlin, making her the first female Maltese beatboxer to perform at the international level.[2] In the competition, she placed fifth in the women's category.[6]
2012 UK Beatbox Championships
editMcKeon participated in the 2012 UK Beatbox Championships, where she placed second in the women's category.[6] Furthermore, she was asked to perform at the 2012 Duke of Edinburgh Awards, where she met Prince Edward.[1]
2023 Beatbox World Championships
editMcKeon was one of the hosts of the 2023 Beatbox World Championships in Berlin.[7] Regarding her role as a host, she commented:[1]
“It’s an honour to host, because these people are the top of the top, people who have dedicated their lives to mastering vocal percussion.”
Personal life
editMcKeon met her husband in London, when she was hosting weekly music nights at a club. She noticed a man who kept coming every week, remarking “He just kept showing up and I realised he wasn’t coming for the music anymore.”[1]
Discography
editSingles
edit| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Street Art |
| 2014 | I Don't Want To Lose You |
| 2018 | Little Miracle of Mine |
| 2020 | Let Me Be Your Light |
Guest artist
edit| Year | Title | Featuring | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Live Forever | Domo X | Irresistible Pop! |
| 2020 | Irresistible | Stef Tahlia | Irresistible Pop! |
| 2020 | Floating on These Waves | Stef Tahlia | Irresistible Pop! |
| 2020 | Just Tell Me | Daniel Cassar | Irresistible Pop! |
| 2020 | Take over the World | Michael Boren-Weizman and Ayda Mosharraf | Irresistible Pop! |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Tihn, Daniel (16 August 2023). "The Maltese beatboxer who accidentally found her voice". Times of Malta. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ a b Bugeja, Michael (10 June 2012). "Beatboxing her way to the top". Times of Malta. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
Indeed, she's the only Maltese beatboxer performing at an international level
- ^ Marks, Kiara Borg (8 May 2023). "From Too Hot To Handle To Insatiable: Maltese Artist's Original Songs Featured On Eight Netflix Shows". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ Urpani, David Grech (2 April 2021). "'This Is Crazy!': Maltese Beatboxer's Music Features On New Netflix Series By The Creators Of Money Heist". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ Bugeja, Michael (10 June 2012). "Beatboxing her way to the top". Times of Malta. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ a b Bugeja, Michael (2 March 2014). "Learn to beatbox". Times of Malta. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ Cilia, Johnathan (3 August 2023). "'Honoured And Excited!' Malta's Dana McKeon Will Be Hosting Berlin's Beatbox World Championships". Lovin Malta.