Rapper with Muscular Dystrophy BeatBoxes with the Best of Them

Photo: Sheikh Mohd Danial Bawthan by Najeer Yusof. Source: Today Online.

When Sheikh Mohd Danial Bawthan was 14 years old, he realized he was different from his friends. At first, he felt angry and frustrated whenever he would watch his friends play sports or be outside, especially when they did not invite him to play. When he realized he couldn't keep up physically with his peers, Danial found comfort in something a little different: music.

Aside from providing solace, Danial, now 23, felt that he was the same as everyone through music. Since there is no specific genre for disabled people, no one recognizes or cares if the artist is handicapped or not. The only thing that matters is quality.

Danial is the youngest of five and has a degree in information technology from the Institute of Technical Education College West. He now also works as a sound engineer part-time. But, most importantly, Danial is one of the beneficiaries of the TODAY Enable Fund, which is an organization that assists disabled people to maximize their potential and achieve their goals. Because of the $3,000 grant he received from them, he was able to produce his first EP record.

Currently, Danial has composed more than 12 songs that are all original, and he targets to release 4 to 6 songs on his EP in early 2018. One of his songs even describes the perception people often have of his disease, titled “I Know.” The track also gives a glimpse of what it feels like to gradually lose muscular energy and control due to muscular dystrophy. However, it is also inspirational for those who feel down because of this disease.

Danial’s inspiration for his music is Eminem and Jay-Z, who are both American Rappers. Danial also mentioned that he listened to Eminem’s songs and hip-hop music for hours after school. 

To be where he is today with his music, Danial had to make a few sacrifices, and all of his hard work is clear to see with one of his gadgets: a Macbook. He uses this to record and mix most of the tracks that will be seen in his EP. But, in order to buy it, he needed to have a part-time job at a salad shop after his classes in college.

He remembered that when he had his job interview there, the employer was surprised to see him in a wheelchair, so much so that he was asked if he was seriously up for the job. When he worked for two days to see if the job was too overwhelming, he was hired, and did the job for almost 10 months, earning only $6 an hour.

Read on to learn more about how Danial uses music for solace, and the benefits music has for kids with muscular dystrophy.