"Who's going to Germany?" was the question posed on Saturday afternoon in Long Beach. This was the first US elimination event for Battle of the year to take place in the US (there are tons of other rounds, but no UK event...get it together people!) The competition was held on a cruise liner convention centre docked in Long Beach about 30 miles from home. But everything in this town is a drive away!
I wasn't the oldest fella there, but probably one of them! It always amazes me the diverse crowd that congregates at these Hip Hop events. The Cholos, the Asians, the Blacks, Whites and other non PC-named groups. And there are *always* fit girls.
This event reminded me of going to San Diego in '97 for the B-Boy Summit with
Dexter, Kamer,
James Leacy (RIP), and hanging with Tim Twist and
Mode2, and a bunch of other UK B-Boys. The exhibition shows earlier in the day had some amazing moves - I've never seen a catepillar move done on the back?! That was mental.
Click here to watch some Cipher actionThe main competition was judged by Zulu Gremlin, Poe One (Style Elements), Ken Swift (Break Life/RSC), Alien Ness et al. The weirdest crew was some punk glam rock fellas with piercings. Now I wanted to be surprised...I wanted to see skills and choreography. But instead I was embarassed and have even forgotten their name...Sorry!
So, the semi-finalists were (a) Knucklehead Zoo vs Rep Styles and (b) Renegades (with a one-legged breaker!?) vs Furious Styles.
Click here to watch Renegades vs Furious Styles semis battle!Then the finalists were Knucklehead Zoo vs Renegades. The hard battle resulted in Knucklehead Zoo winning both the "best show" and "competition" awards. I think that Renegades had some fantastic moves and some choreographed humour that won the battle for me...but I'm not on the judging panel. But I had a pretty good view people!
Watch out for Kid David and Tony Styles (Renegades)...individual skills and flair. Over and out.
Click here to watch a clip of the Final battle!