B-Boys

Hip hop arouse in the South Bronx right around 1970. New York was in bad shape, and the Bronx was in ruins. Fires plagued the city and infrastructure was disintegrating. Latin and African American youth had nothing to do and no where to go, leaving many of them in gangs. But the power of hip hop emerged and gave the city a new life.

Kool Herc, Africa Bambatta and Grandmaster Flash brought a fresh beat to the inner city. As Djing came to life, so did a new style of dance. Hip hop movement was both free and aggressive, a competitive style that relied on unique interpretations. DJs realized that the crowd really got going when the lyrics faded and the bass got louder. Once the musical prowess of the DJs took over during the break of the song, the anticipation was over and the hip hop dancers took the center of the circle. They became known as Break Boys, better known today as B-Boys.

Featured in the blockbuster hit Flashdance, hip hop dance made its way to far off countries and brought hip hop to the world.

Modern Hip Hop dance has spread across the globe to Latin America, Europe, and South Asia (south Korea and Japan have made a HUGE name for themselves in the global scene). Each country, region, and city has a personal style that has made B-Boying a powerhouse in the dance world. Here are a few videos of some sick B-Boys and their crews from across the globe.

Phase T: France (One of my favorites!)


Ichigeki: Japan (Came in Second place in Best of the Year 2005)


Exquizyth Crew: The Philippines


More to come from US crews.

These next couple month are gonna be rough. My school works on a block plan so you take one class each month 3hours a day, every day, then you get a break followed by a new course. My next two I don't have anything I want to take. I'm needing a job bad, but Colorado Springs is so small that it's almost impossible to find one. I need to start getting in shape for more hardcore training when I get to Chicago. On top of it all, my best friends aren't gonna be around much. It will be months of biting the bullet. I take solace in the fact that it will all pay off in the end, at least I hope so.

Spring Break

It is that time of year where college students venture out into the world and get wasted. I, however, am here in Denver. Not that Denver is a bad place, it's just home and the norm.

Money is more than a little frustrating in my life. It's hard to realize that what I do and how I can live is limited. Not that I want more stuff, oh contrair, I live for throwing useless things away. When I drive myself to Chicago later this year, if it doesn't fit in my '95 corolla, it doesn't come. Simplify, simplify, simplify.

The bummer comes when friends are involved. I can accept that I don't have the income to go out too often, but it's always hard to realize that I can't foster my friendships because I can't afford to. It will only get worse as I start paying more and more of my own bills.

On the other hand, a huge part of me romanticizes that 'starving artist' image. Studio apartment, working a crappy job just to sustain. There is a beautiful aesthetic to that whole situation. Sacrificing for your passion. People don't perform because it makes them tons of money. They make art because they have to.

I just need to meet more people with a savings account under $500. Then I'm covered.

My first College performance

First semester freshman year, haven't performed much since.

A while...

Wow, so it's been a while since I've posted. A lot has changed, but a lot is just the same. I am still in Colorado, but with a definite direction.

Last weekend was my first time in New York city for the Marymount Manhattan College dance auditions. There was 85 people in a room no where near sufficient for that many black leotards. Needless to say it was a bit of a disaster.

As beautiful as the facilities were and as amazing as the city was, the second I walked in I knew it was not the place for me. Mother's putting their daughter's hair up in a bun, prepping them for what's to come, diva's galore. We did a typical ballet bar with a very short center (reminding me just how shitty my petite allegro is) and then we learned a jazz and modern combination. It was nearly impossible to see the choreographer try to teach the phrase, everyone squishing forward and pushing their way around. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I got kicked or slapped in the face. When they would call to switch lines, people would move back a couple steps and leave it at that. Frustrating.

Overall, I didn't do very well. I didn't suck or fall on my face, but I was so put off by that attitude and atmosphere of the whole endeavor that I couldn't get my flow together.

After 4 hours of mostly standing, I left without seeing the audition results. I knew that I wouldn't be on there, but even if by some miraculous perspective they thought I had potential, I didn't want to waste their time. That stereotypical 'dancer' world is what I'm trying to get away from. So, I am off to Chicago. I mailed my acceptance yesterday and it is final. My withdrawal from Colorado College has been processed and I am beginning my preparations to get out of this state. A relief.

Now that it is all final, the journey really begins. There is no turning back now. Just forward motion.

Oh, and if you haven't been to NY, GO. I was only there for 3 days and I barely scratched the surface, but instantly fell in love. If I get rich one day, maybe I'll venture back to a couple thousand dollar studio apartment.

Much love.