YouNow

Today we hosted our very first Beatboxing battle and it was OFF THE HOOK!  Refereeing the battle was New York’s very own, Kid Lucky. A handful of contenders came through to show their skillz but only three made it to the finals to battle for the $100 prize.  

In the blue corner we had Jose Pissoa.  Born and raised in Lesbon Portugal in a town called Ericeira, Jose has been beatboxing for almost four years now.  Influenced by old school hip-hop and random noises, Jose picked up beatboxing and never looked back.  Jose was also influenced by Australian beatboxer Joel Turner, the “Godfather of Noyze” Rahzel, and his beatboxing brother Andrew Diaz. 

In the red corner we had Ricky Quintana.  Growing up in the birthplace of hip-hop, The Bronx New York, Ricky has been beatboxing since 1985!  Ricky was surrounded by hip-hop, DJing and graffiti as a kid and fell in love with it instantly. 

In the…green corner we had JFlo.  Hailing out Long Island New York, he has been beatboxing for 8 years.  Music was was JFlo’s inspiration to start beatboxing. He is a top ranked beatboxer and is currently the American beatboxing champion.  

After much deliberation, the winner of YouNow’s first Beatboxing battle and the one who took home the $100 prize was…JFlo!  

Congratulations to JFlo and thank you all the participants who came through to show their skillz.  YouNow will be hosting a beatbox battle every thursday at 5’clock on the hip-hop channel.  So if you think you got the skills, PROVE IT!

Check out these testimonials from YouNow users!

David Olshanetsky
“I want to thank YouNow for making my dreams come true…Someone from British TV Sky 1 saw me and gave me an audition to host a new gossip show!”

Donovan Santiago
“I recently started the “Why I Love YouNow” campaign with a Youtube video on my account. I plan to keep expanding The I Love Younow.com campaign until it gets big… Younow has become a part of my life and I wear my Younow t-shirt with pride because I Love Younow.com! Here’s to the future!”

Max Wright
“Growing up I was made fun of a lot, and had trouble keeping a steady relationship with my friends, but on YouNow, its like a complete reset button. People that are watching you have no idea who you are besides your name and what you look like. You feel like a completely different person.”

Abigail Green
“This site has made me grow so much as a person. I came onto YouNow as someone with little confidence, but, that has all changed! Before I would hardly sing to people, and now, well, I sing all the time!

For me, however, YouNow isn’t about the prizes – it’s about so much more! I know I will be a part of YouNow for a long time to come, so finally, I just want to say, a huge, massive thank-you to Adi Sideman (for those who don’t know, he is the founder of YouNow) and anyone else who works at YouNow!”

Hannah Johnson
“For me, I think the best thing is that I’m a tester for the YouNow mobile beta app. Being 1 of 25 people in the whole world to have that app is extraordinary, absolutely out of this world, and is a real achievement. It is rewarding to know that I am one of the people who is making YouNow even better for the new people that visit the site, and I am honored. Thank you, YouNow for changing my life.”

Fiona MacLennan
“I think YouNow is such a great website because it is unlike any other… I hope that I will be using YouNow for a very long time.”

Oli White
“The YouNow community is so friendly and welcoming, I felt so comfortable when I first broadcasted, there were so many people that were so encouraging asking me lots of nice questions in the chat. I’ve met so many new people that I will remember forever on this website and shared many memories with them. Some of the friendships I’ve made on YouNow are stronger than some of the people I’ve been friend’s with at school for over 5 years.

There are many other broadcasting websites out there on the internet but nothing will ever match up to YouNow purely because you don’t have to be known on the internet, you can simply broadcast and be guaranteed to have an audience watching.”

Do you have a nice quote of how YouNow has impacted your life? Send it to us at info@younow.com!

YouNow is making it easier than ever to connect to your favorite broadcasters and newly found friends, and build your social equity. 

We recently added the ability for viewers to Facebook friend request and follow a broadcaster on Twitter directly from YouNow. That’s right… making new friends and staying connected with them is now a piece of cake.

Recently on YouNow there was a competition held for the YouNow community to best describe what YouNow is, how they heard about it, how does it work and what has YouNow done for them.

During the competition 19 people submitted videos. Sean Luellen, an avid YouNow broadcaster provided an awesome video describing the site. To show our gratitude and appreciation we at YouNow did an interview with Sean and gave him some “airtime” on our blog. Check out the below interview to learn more about Sean and don’t forget to also “friend” him on FaceBook.

Q1) Where are you from?

A1) I am from Virginia in the USA
 

Q2) What is your favorite thing about YouNow?

A2) My favorite thing about YouNow is the fact that people like me and are watching me from all around the world!
 

Q3) What are your passions\dreams in life?

A3) My passions are fighting, comedy, photography, singing, style, and helping people. My dream is to become someone people can look up to, be a beacon of light in the dark you could say!
 

Q4) How did you find out about YouNow?

A4) I found out about YouNow on YouTube, and have been loving it ever since!

Q5) Who is your favorite musician and what is your favorite song?

A5) My favorite musician is maybe A Day To Remember, and my favorite song is If it means a lot to you By them! But they are just one of many favorites.
 

Q6) What would you like the world to know about you?

A6) I would say I want the world to know that if you ever need someone to talk to when your feeling down just tweet me or watch one of my videos or talk to me some other way. I’m here to help and that’s all I ever want to do.

Q7) How do you feel about Social Media and how do you think it has changed our world?

A7) Social media has revolutionized the world. If you think about it, it’s crazy how I can be in Virginia and people in England, Scotland, as well as many other places are watching me. That was never possible before. As well as making it easier to maintain relationships with people other than the occasional cyber bullying (Which is horrible) Social media has changed our world amazingly for the better!

The YouNow team would like to thank Sean for his efforts and wish him well in his future endeavors.

 
Hiya! I’m Adam Shallcross or as some people may know me “The Ginger King”. I started YouNow about 1 month and 18 days ago, I started watching a couple of days before but I was afraid to go live. I was already subscribed to Michael Buckley through “What The Buck?!” and that is how I first began watching YouNow. I was taken in so quickly and I’m so glad I found out about the site.
 
YouNow has given me so much confidence to start singing in front of people. I was even afraid of doing YouTube videos, but I have been given support from Abigail Green, Fiona MacLennan, James Jones, Danny Tee, Krissy Hunt, Rosie Cotton, Cody-Ann Palmer and a lot more, maybe even too many to name. I believe what those people told me about going live because they are broadcasters themselves and they seemed so confident when they did it, and seeing that made me feel more hyper and excited to broadcast. My first broadcast lasted 14 minutes which Fiona said was very good, I was ecstatic and over the moon!
 
I remember my first broadcast like it was yesterday, non-stop talking due to the excitement and just all round bubbliness! It was different and weird if I do say so myself. There are so many awesome shows and games you can do on YouNow.  I’ve participated 3 times in Karaoke but sad enough, I haven’t won yet! I believe that is due to all the talent that YouNow discovers! It’s amazing! I have mentioned other broadcasters, but those aren’t the only people that help, there are also the fans such as Beth Cross and Laura-Cait Driscoll and Jess Fairweather.  Once again, there are still many more. The fans are always keeping you on asking you weird questions and wacky tasks to do. I’ve done the cinnamon challenge and I’ll tell you now… I’ll never do it again.
 
I didn’t hear about the prizes until I won the top… Which was quite a surprise, it was also quite funny because my facial expression was out of this world. I’d like to thank all of the fans that have helped me get this far already in such a short time; it’s made me a better and more exciting person, so thanks guys! I’d also like to thank YouNow for this opportunity to be something better than I thought I was, thanks!
 
Love you guys, Adam Shallcross.

Please read this post by James Geiger, a YouNow broadcaster with an inspiring story:

So a few days ago, my friend Matt Vosciner did a little hiphop on a site called YouNow, i went and viewed the performance. I was confused, yet intrigued by the YouNow concept. I decided to do my first broadcast a few hours after Matt. Before I go on let me explain how YouNow works:

So I, being the pessimistic person that I am, I figured I’d be booted off my first minute. But much to my surprise, people were BEGGING me to stay on!!

Last night was my second night on YouNow. I got on starting to tell my story of perseverence and struggle. Someone typed that they were thinking about suicide. I was able to change her perspective and outlook on life!!!

Because of that and all the AMAZING people I have met on YouNow, I’m an addict!

So come join the fun on YOUNOW!!!!!”

James Geiger
Photographer & Student
jamesgeigerphoto.com

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Having a disability doesn’t slow James down a bit! Born with Cerebral Palsy, and having odds stacked against him, makes him one hell of an inspirational story.

James holds a bachelors in theatre, a minor in leadership studies, and is currently working on a master’s degree in instructional technology at USF.

When not consumed with school, James can be found being immersed in Tampa’s poetry/spoken word scene and/or music scene. From photographing bands, promoting bands, hosting radio shows, attending and photographing poetry slams, and supporting any talent that he deems worthy.

Hey there. My name’s Danny Tee and I first started YouNow in the middle of January after my friend Spike Padley introduced me to the site. I decided to give it a shot and did my first broadcast, and I haven’t looked back since.

At time of writing this, I’ve been on YouNow for just over a month, and already a lot has changed about me - I’m more talkative, I’m more confident in myself and my self-esteem has improved - and this has been the main reason why I started broadcasting. Truth be told, I actually didn’t know about the prizes you get from getting fans until after my first week on the site, and I’ve recently won the HD webcam. I’ve encountered many people from all walks of life during my time here, and I’ve enjoyed meeting every one of them - even the “haters”.

Now, one of my biggest worries about joining this site was the amount of people who are aged 21 and younger, and that I wouldn’t have a place here, but after seeing the likes of MsSassy Neighbour, I learned that no matter how old you are, there will always be an appreciative audience. And it is through this that I’ve made some amazing friends (such as James Jones, Krissy Hunt, Corey-Jake Middleton, Piers Roberts, Rosie Cotton, Abigail Green, Adam Shallcross and Nick and Adam Buongiovanni) and I’m grateful for how welcome they’ve made me feel.

And I probably would not be on here had it not been for the support of two friends of mine - Thomas Wetherall and Robert Kinbrum - who encouraged me to carry on when I first started out. This site has done so much for me, not just in building up my esteem but also by giving me motivation to make videos on my Youtube channel. I’ve done things I never thought I’d do - I’ve sang, I’ve taken up keyboard again, I’ve danced (despite my terrible moves) and I’ve even dressed up, all for the amusement of you guys.

So this is my thanks, to the amazing team behind YouNow for all their hard work into this website, it’s completely amazing and it’s addictive. I enjoy taking part in the karaoke competition and the Reality School Game Show every week. And also thanks to the many people who became a fan, because it’s not just the broadcasters who make the site what it is, it’s those who like to watch too. I’m glad to have entertained you all in some way, and I hope I can continue to do so in future.

Remember our Next Big Thing Contest, where you guys could submit your creative ideas to make YouNow even MORE awesome for a chance to win prizes?  And remember how there were so many awesome ideas that we had to choose finalists? I bet you’re wondering who won that coveted iPad 2, huh?

The YouNow community submitted over 200 entries, all with amazing and radical ideas for how to change YouNow for the better.

The most popular ideas were:
- a gaming channel
- 1 vote per minute
- multi-user broadcasting
- a How to / Tutorial Channel 

Our CEO, Adi Sideman, YouNow chose “the ability for multiple users to broadcast together” as the top idea. The following contestants, all whose ideas related to multi-user broadcasting, went head-to-head, explaining their ideas to Adi in 3 minute presentations:

Slater The Alien
Connor Halsey
Kirsty Driver
Hannah Johnson
Inja Wollatz 

Each contestant did a great job, however the award for best presentation (along with an iPad 2) went to Kirsty Driver! Her polished and thoughtful presentation was well laid out and imaginative. Check it out below:

Hannah Johnson, who gave an equally impressive presentation complete with a hand-made mockup drawing of her design, was a runner up and won a $100 Apple gift card.

The other contestants won hoodies for their excellent efforts!

Stay tuned for more from YouNow.com! 

Watch Sam get crazy and dance!
“Everybody Dance Now!”

Want to “go live” yourself? Go to YouNow.com

Yesterday we hosted our first ever DANCE OFF and it was ROCKIN! Pre-screened contestants, YouNow regulars and other walk-ons all danced their pants off… and some literally! 

Spandy Andy, an international dance entertainer, danced to 80’s classics like “Everybody Dance Now,” and Johnni Riddlin did his famous “Sexy and I Know It” rendition… complete with a draw-on six pack and the Truffle Shuffle. 

Erica Grau, the winner of the popular vote, danced with a free and natural bravado, with hip hop dance influences. She won the heart of the audience, and gained more than 25 fans in an hour!

Check out our winners below, and be sure to catch our next Dance Off - stay tuned!