Break Dancing The Anti-Drug
More than just a dance, breaking evolves into a total lifestyle, and it’s one that steers dance crews away from drugs and gangs
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B-Boy Style Len: It’s all
about character
Kalihi, they have lived through the high school scene and are now stepping forward helping other teens stay out of trouble by breaking. They currently teach a class of about 20 kids from their neighborhood, and also give private lessons.
“Breaking is our anti-drug, like for real,” says 15-year-old B-Boy Snow, a member of the Life Crew. “We’re a family, so we look out after each other. For me, being one of the oldest in the crew, I don’t like my team-mates doing drugs or failing in school. So we watch out after each other.”
“On our shirts it has the above-the-influence sign,” adds B-Boy Flow.
And as for crew rivalry, all that stuff is left at the competitions.
“On the dance floor, it’s like I hate that crew because that’s your opponent, your enemy, but outside of the floor it’s all love, peace and having fun,” says BBoy Dez, son of B-Boy Style-Len. “It’s sort of like boxing.”
“Right after the battle we all hug each other and shake each other’s hand,” adds B-Boy Style Len.
B-Boy Akuma’s signature back
flip
When breakdancing began in the early 1980s, it was a method for rival gangs to mediate and settle territorial disputes, which eliminated a lot of violence on the streets.
With later influences such as legend James Brown and the rapid growth of dance teams, the competitive ritual of gang warfare evolved into a sub-genre of hiphop.
“Originally a lot of people thought breaking was gang-related because you have crew against crew, but it ain’t like that now,” says 27-year BBoy Akuma, Hawaii’s only bboy who does a back flip on his head.
B-Boy Akuma and his Waikiki B-Boy Crew along with Rock Steady will join six other crews to battle for Hawaii’s champion at “The Monarchy” finals at the Filipino Community Center Friday at 5 p.m. Cost is $12 before 7 p.m. with a flier, $15 after 7 p.m. with a flier, and $20 without a flier. For a flier, visit www.funky4corners.com
Ronnie (B-Boy Snow) and Evelyn Guzman give new
meaning to sibling rivalry
“I hope we win,” says B-Boy Akuma. “For me, I’ve won a lot of battles and lost a lot of battles. It’s all good. It’s for the love of the dance.”
Preliminary crew battles were held on Oahu, Maui and Kauai in search for Hawaii’s best to compete in this final showdown. Sponsored by Funky4Corners, this competition will leave no question as to which crew is Hawaii’s undisputed best.
“The prize is $2,500, but we didn’t announce it from the beginning because we all do it for the love of the dance, and we wanted to attract those who had the heart to come out to just compete,” says Matt Villaflor, co-owner of Funky4Corners.
“Most of the b-boys out there aren’t battling for money, but because they love doing it,” adds Chris Villaflor, co-owner of Funk4Corners.
Judges are even being flown in from California to keep the competition as fair as possible. The five judges are from an internationally known crew called Circus Runaways. And on the night of the Monarchy finals, they’ll be battling any Hawaii heads who want to step up.
“Our angle on the whole thing is we have a love for hiphop, but we got into doing this to keep kids interested in something that’s healthy - you can’t be high and drunk and do this,” adds Villaflor. “And it takes a lot of time, so you can’t be goofing around and getting into trouble.”
Love is the only way to explain it. These guys put their hearts into breakdancing, practicing anywhere from four to six hours a day, three to six times a week. It’s pure dedication, passion and hard work. For some it’s their anti-drug, for others it’s their life, but for all - it’s about respect.
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