Guitar Center Drum-Off 2012 Finalist - Robert Diamond Johnson 

For all who put a negative comment towards this amazing drummer. I DONT SEE YOU PLAYING AT A DRUM OFF!. So have some respect and give people credit.

The Drum-off needs more drummers like this dude

One of the best sounding drums I’ve heard

For anyone wondering why he made it to the finals, I'll explain why. 1) He involved himself with the crowd and made things a little fun. always appreciated at a drum off. 2) He's technically a beast, and while his beats look generic, take a lot of co-ordination to play, e.g: 0:54 3) He reaches ridiculous speeds on the bass drum with only one foot, speeds that some can't even reach with 2 feet. 4) A well structured solo that works well with transitions and such 5) Charisma.

Crispy Clean... and a breath of fresh air in a contest where drummers can really start to sound the same..Bravo buddy.

I'm a death metal drummer, so obviously I never learned this style of drumming and don't know much about it, but I can still tell that this kid is an absolute BOSS!

That was very creative what he did with the drum stick and bass drum. It sounded really cool.

Everything about this drummer is awesome!!! The groove is constantly infectious

I honestly love his groove. Many of the drummers I've seen just go over the top, forsaken groove all together. That's not how it should be. This guy brings something very enjoyable to the table.

Also to note on that is that he doesn't use a double bass drum pedal or other gimmicks. JUST PURE DRUM MUSICALITY AND TECHNIQUE!

I graduated with him in 2014. He’s a hell of a guy, hell of a drummer too. Crazy that this just popped up on my recommended 7 years later.

I can't do that, give me my beer back.

The fast kicks he did with his foot was increadible most drummers out there older than him have double bass for their kicks hes amazing

First time I've ever seen someone play double bass beats with a single pedal and a stick! Very cool brah!

i cant get enough of this kid he just sounds so good. i love his style. looks very cool sounds very good. what else can i saw you saw it, hes got skillz.

i dont care what anyone says about this kid. his playing is what i called "clean". everything is crisp and on point, nothing is sloppy about this solo

His footwork is incredible

Kids going to be such a beast in a few years. So solid.

Althought he didn't win, this guy is pure class!

heck even if this guy didn't win, he still rocked the house, and is one of the finalist, great job dude! got some sweet licks in there

This guys got natural rhythm. This shows that you don’t need flashy explosive solos to demonstrate your skill. Hats off.

brotha got soul. I enjoyed this solo the best of the 2012 contestants so far

One of the best drummers ever! AWSOME!

This is real talent

He has got a truly amazing ability to groove and compose a solo plus his chops are tight. I really enjoyed it

This guy has great feel. He'd be an asset to any band. Loved his playing. A lot more musical than some of the other contestants.

wow, i went to guitar center the night before, and sat next to him, i had no idea he was going to be competing, this guy is talented.

In love with that snare!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best drums ever heard Robert diamond

I am still watching him and is the best drummer in losangalas

Wow, very well orchestrated solo. From start to finish. Not flashy but all the different segments sound great coming after each other and they go for exactly the right amount of time.

ummm I am NOW a FAN!!!! BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO!

This dude freaking rocks! The speed on a single pedal! DAMN!

I do have to give him credit for the amazingly fast basedrum hits. He pulls that off with one foot, while other drummers did it with two.

I LIKE THIS GUYS DRUMMER. REMINDS ME OF OLD SCHOOL DRUMING

This guy is superb. Feel, Pocket, Style. What else can you ask for.

I loved the first 30 second as much as the last. Fantastic playing!

That groove at 2 minutes is so disgustingly good

LOVE this guy and his grooves.

2012 was a great year for the drum off

Can't believe this kid is only 16!! So talented!

Brilliant snare sound!

This guy's smile is the best

Mr Johnson I really enjoyed watching you play your solo only one word excellent

Out of the last 4 videos I've watched... this kid trumps all of the others (variety alone)

The snare is a Orange County Drum & Percussion Brushed Bell Brass Snare Drum while the actual kit is an OCDP Newport a green sparkle wrap.

1:15 is good , daym every part is good this guy is awesome!

Wow as a drummer myself , that was an EPIC solo my friend . Nice work !!!

dayummmm,that was awesome brother.keep on jammin!!!!

I was SOLD when I saw "The Bass Drum wit a Stick Trick!"😉👍CERTAINLY 1 of the best solos I've ever seen!

Easily my favorite out of the GC - drum off videos for 2012. I knew i'd re-watch this more than a few times, the first time i heard that octapad.

I just bought one because of the stuff I was seeing in the GC Drum Off solos. It is a really versatile addition to a kit.

The best year for drum off imo

That bass drum is so tight. Greatest 30 second entry ever man. I watch this every year. So much black culture, so freaking good. I wish I could hear a rap on top of this first 30 seconds and just keep it going, maybe with some acoustic guitar and congos and a fretless bass.

I don't what you're talking about, but every beat on this video is full of groove.

Are we gonna have to put up with an octopad synth accompanyment on every drum solo now?

i like the groove

I agree,this is the sort of dude you want in your band.

My second favorite preformance

I enjoyed this, nice clean fills!

Such solid grooves! As MangoSmoothie said - got soul!

I really appreciate it

this guy is gonna be a monster

This boy is a Genius!! Super great power!!! His was born to drum.

if you think of the fact that he was in the grand final with aric improta, and then look at arics performance, then you do start to wonder if this video here is actually worthy of grand final spot

what you guys don't seem to understand about this is it's about the GROOVE. the kid's chops are clean, precise, and the groove is the focus, not technical precision (although he's pretty technical qualified as well). if you can't see that, then maybe it's you who needs to re-educate yourself, not us.

madre mia que pro. VIVA TODOS LOS DRUMMERS DEL PLANETA!!!

Who still watching in 2019?! I’m the first🤣🤣🤣

Nice octopad use for once !!! Solid techniques too and a nice groove !

incredible Musicianship he Just Jammin very creatively

Best opening 30 secs of any solo

all these guys are here because they have created there own style and its amazing holy shit good job

The beginning with the octopad bass and snare... DRUMGASM!!!!

Wow this guy is AMAZING!

And who said I was estimating his level of talent? I mentioned that because so many people say, "If you think he/she sucks why don't you upload a video of yourself doing a better job." I said that because you don't need to be a drummer to know if one is a good drummer, or a good guitarist to know if someone is good. And I actually get payed to play music as a profession (not only the drums, but the drumset is my main instrument of choice), and I am still learning today.

stunning yes!!!!

It helps broaden your options so you're not just limited to the drums. It doesn't change the amount of skill you have,

This guy is amazing ! Those single beat kick drum was sick

So clean!

Excellent!

Simple but so musical! Awesome drum solo!

Love this dude's feel!

Hey obviously this was a more relaxed solo but still really good. Did anyone else notice the sick fill at 3:06-3:09? I wanted more of that.

The transition is awesome,

Definately enjoy this tons more than the drum solo that won.

Dang, those toms sound heavenly!! 😇

He may have been my favorite that year

These musicians are the best of the World!✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

Very good playing. I like your style and great performance

He used a lot of pocket and it was really good but man whoever turned his drums nailed it. They sound awesome👏

We look forward to seing you in the next drum off... O.o

beautyful sound of drummer😊

amazing!

So good.

tyler the creator is pretty good at drums'

that bassdrum-right hand combo on the kick was alone a good reason to be one of the finalists...

If anything, it enhances the ability of the sound of the drums; furthermore, a little melody can help any kind of solo immensely.

WOW thats awesome

Great chops and showmanship. No one will confuse that snare for one made out of wood.

wow this is actually really good