Dance Masterz

I came across this clip and I loved it. Actually, some of the members in this crew are EX-Ichigeki. Glad to see legendary Ichigeki bboys are active!!

One thing bboying tend to miss is the musicality. Since most of the movements in bboying is so athletic that it is often hard to “dance” to the music. This bboying crew from Osaka, Japan “I Love Footwork” forcuses on musicality in bboying.

This is a battle between Gambler (Korea) and Japanese bboys from different crew. There is a crazy move I haven’t see before in this video.
go to the very end of the video at 8:15. it is backflip to airchair!!

here is more information for popping category…

1/8 - o Jr Boogaloo & Walid vs KMoon & JJ x
1/8 o Poppin J & Crazy Kyo vs Iron Mike & Linda X
1/8 - o Richard & Franqey vs Kallse + his partner X
1/8 - o Djidawi + Pepito vs chechz poppers x
1/8 - o Gucchon + Kei vs unknown poppers

1/4 o Franqey & Richard vs Djidawi+Pepito x
1/4 o Jr Boogaloo & Walid vs Kidboogie+Yuzuru
1/4 o Salah & Acky vs Poppin J + Crazy Kyo x
1/4 o Gucchon & Kei vs Kris + Swan X

Semi final
o Salah + Acky vs Jr.Boogaloo + Walid x
o Gucchon+Kei vs Richard + Franqey x

FINAL: o Gucchon+Kei vs Salah + Acky x

Took place at Battle of the year 2007. Spain (left) vs Japan (right)

Is this just me? I was really disappointed to see MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew. What’s up, America??I am sure there are tons of better underground dancers in this country and they just don’t show up on TV. But still….Now watch the clip from weekly Japanese dance TV show. It is aired on late night and it is not like big MTV show with big budget. Still, I believe that they got way better dancers there. or is this just me??

Ichigeki is my favorite bboy crew from Japan. I had a privilege to spend good amount of time with them and I was reallyimpressed with their strong bonds with each members. (Most of the members are crazy and funny as hell, too.) One of their best moments is on their performance on BOTY 2005 when they won the best performance. Ichigeki’s style is very unique and original. They don’t have much power move except its team leader Shin’s headspins. Their strength is footwork and other moves.( I can’t really define because they are so different.) Their moves might not be appreciated by people emphasize the original foundation of Bboying. Their move is very abstract and almost like modern dancing or bboying version of Punk.

This is a scene from the movie “Flash Dance” in 1983 where Jenifer Beals run into kids dancing on the street performed by Rock Steady Crew. What this scene did was planting the seeds of so-called Breakdancing culture all over the world. (I don’t like the term “Breakdancing”, by the way. It was created by the media.) Many bboys from 80s ALL OVER THE WORLD often describe the scene as turning point of their life inspiring them to start dancing. The song played in the scene is “Just a Begun” Jimmy Castor Bunch. This song became one of the anthem songs for breaking since then.