When 13-year-old Patches stepped onto the America’s Got Talent stage wearing a neat button-down shirt, blazer, and khakis, the audience and judges expected a polite classical performance or perhaps a quiet piano piece.
Hailing from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Patches introduced himself with charming modesty. When judge Simon Cowell asked what he would do if he won the grand prize of one million dollars, the teenager didn’t hesitate: he just wanted to buy tickets to see Hamilton on Broadway. He then announced he would be performing an original song he wrote himself about “the essence of performing.”
“My song is about the essence of performing!” — Patches
From Polished Schoolboy to Fire-Spitting Rapper
The moment the beat dropped, all expectations were completely shattered. Patches transformed from a mild-mannered 13-year-old into a rapid-fire rapper with staggering flow and unmatched stage presence.
Dropping clever wordplay, hilarious punchlines, and rhythmically complex bars, he directly name-dropped judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Mel B right in his opening lines. By the time he hit his chorus, the entire auditorium erupted, with all four judges standing up in absolute disbelief and delight.
Key Highlights of His Audition:
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Instant Transformation: Shifting from a polite 13-year-old in a blazer to a fire-spitting hip-hop prodigy.
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Original Lyrics & Punchlines: Dropping intricate, witty rhymes about heat, thermostats, and AGT fame.
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Standing Ovation: Getting the entire arena and all four judges on their feet mid-performance.
“I Don’t Think Y’all Understand What I’m Kicking!”
Patches proved that true talent and swagger don’t come with a dress code. His sheer energy, confidence, and tight vocal delivery made his audition one of the most unexpected viral moments of Season 13, earning him immediate adoration from the audience and judges alike.
“Spitting bars like I’m choking on a KitKat… So much heat you better turn down the thermostat!” — Patches
Audition Overview
| Detail | Info |
| Performer | Patches |
| Age / Hometown | 13 years old / Portsmouth, New Hampshire |
| Performance Type | Original Hip-Hop Rap |
| Dream Goal | Buy tickets to Hamilton on Broadway |
| Show | America’s Got Talent 2018 (Season 13) |
Watch the Shocking Performance
Experience his iconic rap audition on YouTube:
🎥 Watch now:
