We’ve seen some great kid drummers over the years, including the über-talented Nandi Bushell, who was Consequence‘s Rookie of the Year in 2021. But rarely do we see someone as young as 3-year-old Motiriolaoluwa Emmanuel, a little boy from Nigeria who has some impressive skills behind the kit. Motiriolaoluwa (whose nickname appears to be Morolar) recently launched a TikTok account (@morolar26) and a YouTube channel, each with just a handful of videos thus far. One, in particular, shows the toddler displaying technique well beyond his years as he accompanies a children’s chorus. While his TikTok and YouTube videos have minimal views thus far, Motiriolaoluwa was recently profiled by Allnews Nigeria TV’s Budding Stars program, on which his parents discussed his passion for drums. Advertisement...
Nandi Bushell continues to amaze us. After conquering Tool’s complex “Forty Six & 2” in December, the 11-year-old prodigy is back with a commanding drum cover of the Rush classic “Tom Sawyer.” Not too many seasoned drummers would dare attempt to match the virtuoso drumming of the late Neil Peart, but the young Nandi once again proves why she is a musical force of nature. With a smile on her face, Nandi doesn’t miss a beat as she plays along to the iconic prog-rock song. “This one is for you Professor Peart,” wrote Nandi in the YouTube description. “I wanted to try a Rush song that would really challenge me. I watched an interview where the Professor said Tom Sawyer ‘remains so difficult to play.’ So I thought I would give it a try. It’s actually really fun to play. I really hope I have...
Having owned 2020 and conquered Dave Grohl in an epic drum battle, 10-year-old Nandi Bushell has now set her sights on the Mount Rushmore of rock drummers. Her latest YouTube video sees her dedicating a drum cover of The Who classic “My Generation” to the late, great Keith Moon. Moon is in the pantheon of drumming gods along with the likes of Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham and Rush’s Neil Peart, among others, but that didn’t stop young Nandi from tackling the iconic Who song. As she’s shown us in her previous videos, she’s incredibly talented. What’s more, she’s a bundle of energy and joy behind the kit. “My Generation” is a fitting choice for Nandi, as she represents a new generation of young rockers. It was also, in many ways, one of the first punk songs before punk rock was even a thing — w...
It’s a daunting task for any drummer to take on the iconic Rush song “YYZ”, but 10-year-old prodigy Yoyoka does the late Neil Peart proud with a new cover of the instrumental track. The Japanese drumming sensation has been making waves for a few years now. Her cover of Rage Against the Machine’s “Bulls on Parade” has 2.6 million YouTube views, and she’s earned praise from such luminaries as Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, KISS’ Gene Simmons, and RATM’s Brad Wilk, among others. Yoyoka has twice appeared on The Ellen Degeneres Show, and during her second visit received a surprise video message from Dave Grohl, who told her she was an “amazing” drummer. In her latest video, Yoyoka’s skills are on full display, as she plays her way through the Rush classic “YYZ”...
There is arguably no drum fill in pop music that’s more iconic than Phil Collins’ epic break in his ubiquitous 1981 hit “In the Air Tonight”. Behind the huge sound of Collins’ drums is a combination of quality gear, choice effects, and luck. It just might be the ultimate air-drumming song. “In the Air Tonight” marked Collins’ first solo single, having already established himself as a longtime member of Genesis. And with the song, Collins kicked off his solo career with a literal bang. Even Ozzy Osbourne, who fronted Black Sabbath and launched a successful solo career of his own, declared, “That drum fill is the best ever — it still sounds awesome.” While it’s one thing to master air-drumming to “In the Air Tonight”, it’s another thing to conquer it behind the kit. Thanks to a recent instru...