I'm British-born Chinese from Bristol, UK. I’m LA-based. I’m a hip hop aficionado. After 15 years in London I moved to LA to pursue a new career and outlook on life.
Back in the 80s I was a DJ. In the 90s I contributed to the world's first street style exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum. In 2011, I had my first interviews published. Today, I’m keeping busy with music, art, photos and writing.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
B-Boy Summit 2012 - better late, than never summary!
Three weekends ago (October 19-21) the long-running "B-Boy Summit" kicked off in Los Angeles for a three-day all-ages celebration of hip hop dance: b-boy, popping, locking...extravaganza organized by Asia One!
These events take a lot of planning so I went to support. The Summit has been around since the 90s, but over time other events have crowded the scene. This is an original with the culture and community at its heart. If only the commercial sponsors would recognize that instead of taking over the agenda.
Friday night was the kick-off party in North Hollywood. Saturday was the park jam downtown and the battle sessions were held on Sunday at the Avalon in Hollywood central. Here are a selection of the Friday night basement pics.
On Sunday, a new battle format was introduced. The "Pros 2 Protégés" battle couples made up of a Pro (teacher) and Protégé (student) which really sums up the community of hip hop. This year, I missed the sizzle in early rounds of the battle rounds. I still remember the b-boy battles in 2010 between crews like Killfornia, Furious Styles and Renegades. That was heat! However, it was good to see Rock Steady Crew President, Crazy Legs, way out here on the West Coast. He even jumped up on stage to judge a battle.
The b-boy and popping crew battles were broken up between the stage and dance floor, which meant there wasn't a single prime spot to catch all the action. May be good, may be less so as I had to move around. :)
Here's a selection of the rocking! Too much to follow and I had to run to the airport for a 9pm flight Sunday night. Thanks to Asia One and all involved (Mario.) See you next time!
Pop/Locking: Marie Poppins & Pandora vs. Snap Boogie and Chuco
B-Boying: Casper & Prada-G vs. Jules & Eddie Burns
For a dope selection of b-boy videos check out Arizona's Crystyle YouTube channel - She has over 150 videos posted in less than 2 years! That's crazy hip hop love!
Thursday night was b-boy night on L.A.'s Fox 11 News.
Apart from the cliched Venice graffiti walls backdrop this was a great community news piece by Heidi Cuda that gave respect to the b-boy culture and the message of the Universal Zulu Nation: "Peace, Love and Having Fun!"
"The thing about b-boying and b-girling is the cultural part of hip hop. The culture of respect...diversity...knowledge of yourself and people." Asia One, B-Boy Summit co-founder
Last Sunday was an ill fest! The b-boys battled hard round after round in Hollywood in the first ever B-Boy Summit Mighty Zulu Kings' "Color Warz Battle" where the losers were not only knocked out of the competition, but had to forfeit their crew colors!
There were eight crews battling for supremacy: Renegades (CA), Kadetes del Toke (Mexico), Raw Muzzle (Italy), LA Breakers (CA), Bits N Pieces (CA), Killafornia (CA), Battle Born (NV) and Furious Styles (AZ). Read on to see who got to the final round.
A winning crew member collecting the shirt of their opponent!
Presiding over the battles were Asia One and Alien Ness. The tough task of judging was down to Technyc, Skill Methodz crew, DJ Lean Rock (Floor Lords) and Easy Roc (Rock Steady Crew.) You decide if the judges got it right!
EasyRoc (RSC) and Asia One (No Easy Props)
Mighty Zulu Kingz' Color Warz Battle #1: Renegades (CA) vs. Kadetes del Toke (Mexico)
Watch this for some nasty dancing with a touch of attitude. Did the best crew win? Like Alien Ness said..."they're up and coming." That's why he personally invited them to this event.
Battle #2: Raw Muzzle (Italy) vs. LA Breakers (CA)
Old skool breakers from LA battle the new-comers from Italy.
Battle #3: Bits N Pieces (CA) vs. Killafornia (CA)
Battle #4: Battle Born (NV) vs. Furious Styles (AZ)
Semi-Finals:
COMING SOON
Finals: Battle Born (NV) vs. Renegades (CA)
Popping competition
Finals: Breeze Lee vs. Marie Poppins
"IF you were there, you saw and felt how it went down on Sunday!!
It was the battle and performance day! Def got it all in there! Took em to church! We set it off with She Got Game (Australia) with a dynamic Bgirl Panel, and straight into the 2vs2 battles. The competition was fierce! I had my $ on Bonita and Feenix or Loose Ill and Ill Boogie but when I saw the silver bullet that was Eri and her partner Yama P, The Twisted Sisters (Japan), I knew it was on! Def some hot contenders, a very high level showcase of competitors for all the battles throughout the weekend! Popping beef brought that gangsta element out of all the Funk Styles Competitors! New editions this year are Waacking and House!
After the Mighty Zulu Kingz 1st ever Color Warz Battle with Battle Born and Renegades the final 2. We presented the Bboy Summit Theatre Experience with Syrenz, X-Mob, Midnight, H.E.R., Boogie Frantic, and Jungle Jills as the top highlights. Finished it off with the Finals, and awards ceremony, gave grace! Lots of OG's in the house, as Summit tradition has it, Jazzy Jay and J Rock had squared off against Slick Dogg and protégée Tempo, Slim the Robot, Toni Basil, Lollipop, Animation, OG Skeeter Rabbit, and LA Bopin Dre were all in da house! Great music spun by Ervin, Renato, DJane, Kaistar, Larry Laza and Rod. Had some really good feedback about the entire event. Overall the event was a success! Please check out the all-new Summit site and leave your favorite Summit memory/experience!" Asia One, B-Boy Summit
Asia One and No Easy Props held the open-air day of the B-Boy Summit in Los Angeles' Pershing Square yesterday. It was great to see the City allow this community hip hop event happen in downtown LA with very little LAPD police visibility.
B-Boy Summit always has a great vibe and family feeling. Everyone participates and shows repect. I'm looking forward to seeing the battles happening at the all-day event at the Avalon club later today.
B-Boy Summit, Day 2 @ Pershing Square, Los Angeles
It's a big weekend in Los Angeles hip hop circles. B-Boy Summit returns to Los Angeles thanks to Asia One and No Easy Props.
This is one of the most important events since its mission is clear:
"Without an understanding of the roots and culture of Hip-Hop, the youth of today would not be able to expand on it, further developing the styles into futuristic trends of tomorrow."
Back in the day I still remember going to B-Boy Summit #4 in 1997 in San Diego. Pics below taken from Dexter's Facebook as mine are in the UK. Also, see the end of this post for fresh flyers for some of the Summits throughout the 90s and 00s.
DJ Dexter (Brotherhood,) Dorian and DJ Leacy (RIP) @ SFO airport 1997
DJ Dexter and his adidas shopping booty after the B-Boy Summit
Read below for a history of the Summit and the schedule for the three-day weekend events (Oct 1-3, 2010) in Hollywood and Downtown LA.
"The Bboy Summit was created in 94 due to a need for a community orientated Hip-Hop Event that encompassed knowledge of the history of Hip-Hop Culture with the skills of Bboying and Bgirling (breaking or break dancing).
At that point in time Bboys and Bgirls did not have their own platform in which to come together, dance and pay homage to the traditional dance of Hip-Hop. Each year the event has expanded to encompass Bboys, Bgirls, MCs, Aerosol Artists, and DJs from around the world, steadily building into what is now the foremost Hip-Hop cultural event in the world. Equally, the Summit is proud to be considered one of the most important events for Lockers, Poppers, Waackers, Freestyle and House Dancers to journey too to take part in the annual Soul Fest at the Bboy Summit.
The impact the Bboy Summit Event has had globally is insurmountable, most importantly contributing the transmission of Bboy Bgirl style of dance, as well as street dance in general to the new generation. Without an understanding of the roots and culture of Hip-Hop, the youth of today would not be able to expand on it, further developing the styles into futuristic trends of tomorrow." B-Boy Summit website
October 1-3, 2010
Los Angeles, CA
This year's B-Boy Summit consists of 2 days and 3 nights in the Los Angeles area celebrating and embracing the B-Boy lifestyle and culture we all know and love. As in past years, the Summit will include panels, live art, workshops, classes and of course some of the biggest B-Boy & B-Girl battles you'll ever witness. Be a part of this years Summit and join us for an incredible weekend.
Select one of the events below for a complete breakdown of the Summit weekend including schedules, lineups, directions and more.
The World's Largest International B-Girl Competition is making its way to the United States in 2010. After being held for consecutive years in Melbourne, Australia, Freestyle4 Entertainment is bringing SHE GOT GAME to Los Angeles in collaboration with the legendary B-Boy Summit. Crews from around the world will compete in a 2 on 2 B-Girl Battle to take out the $2500 first prize. SHE GOT GAME is taking place on Sunday 3rd October 2010 from 12pm-4pm at Avalon Hollywood, Los Angeles.
SHE GOT GAME created a world-resounding buzz in its inaugural year in 2007 and continued to do so in 2008. Prominent B-Girls flew to Australia to attend and compete in the event from countries including U.S.A., Japan, Finland, Germany, China, Austria and New Zealand. No other all-female B-Girl competition exists on the same scale as 'SHE GOT GAME' anywhere in the world. Previous winners include USA crew Beta & Vendetta (2007) and Finland crew Taya & A.T. (2008).
The B-Boy Summit is renowned as the pioneering event in breakdancing and hip hop lifestyle since it's inception in Los Angeles in 1994. The Summit's producers, No Easy Props are thrilled to welcome on board SHE GOT GAME at B-Boy Summit 2010 as a part of the 3 day festival.
The day will also feature other events as part of the B-Boy Summit which comprise of a B-Girl Action Panel, MZK Color Warz Crew Battle, Street Dance Theatre Show and Funk Styles Battles. Be sure to get down to the Avalon Hollywood, don't miss out or it'll be game over!
For more information and full Summit schedule-
Myspace.com/freestylefour
Bboysummit.com
For any further queries and She Got Game crew registrations please contact freestylefour@gmail.com
I'm British-born Chinese from Bristol, UK. I’m LA-based. I’m a hip hop aficionado. After 15 years in London I moved to LA to pursue a new career and outlook on life.
Back in the 80s I was a DJ. In the 90s I contributed to the world's first street style exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum. In 2011, I had my first interviews published. Today, I’m keeping busy with music, art, photos and writing.
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