Beatboxer, 13, Wows Classmates at Mater Dei Catholic School

It was during the middle of Mater Dei Catholic School's pep rally for its faculty and students taking part in Sea Isle City's annual Polar Bear Plunge on Saturday when eigther-grader Zack Wallace seized the moment.

In a black Phillies cap and hoodie — emulating, for purposes of the skit, one of the many types of people you meet on the Boardwalk — Wallace grabbed a mic and had his first 30 seconds of fame. He beatboxed an impromptu and original jam for his classmates, teachers and parents.

"I've been beatboxing for seven years," he said. "My brother kind of started, and I followed him and kept going."

His brother, Christopher Wallace (a little irony, perhaps?), is now a junior at Lansdale Catholic.

"It just sort of comes to me," Wallace said of his technique. "I think of new things every day."

Wallace pulls on influences of techno, electronic dance, and hip-hop as inspiration for his beats. He put Kid Cudi and Skrillex at the top of the list.

The bespectacled 13-year-old said he liked his opportunity during the pep rally.

"I'm glad I got a chance to beatbox," he said.

Wallace said he practices his craft daily, but there are no big album aspirations.

"That'd be cool," he said.

For now, it's school. Wallace's hidden talent may be the key to his career.

"Well, I'd like to be famous," he said. 

Here's a start — Lansdale Patch editor Tony Di Domizio captured Wallace doing what he does best after the pep rally. Check it out and let us know what you think.

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