Hello, Rox, tell us please when you start breaking? And tell us, please, in several words the feeling when you start dancing and when you realized that you start doing something great with your dance?
I started breaking in January of 1995. It was an interesting feeling I had never encountered before, just had a unique feel to the things going on my life at the time. It definitely felt special. Special in a way that I was doing something that was giving me a new feel towards life. When I first noticed that I can do something special with this dance was in 1999 when I started attending more events and seeing the impact this culture has had on so many people.
Could you ever imagine how deep impact social media will get to hip hop and explain us its influence to the nowadays dancing scene, according to you? What should we see and what not?
We are living in an interesting time for dancers or artists of any nature. As it was before we had these platforms at our fingertips, everything was based on word of mouth and VHS tapes that would circulate. Which in many ways it’s similar but just not as exclusive as before. I think everyone will choose to find what they desire. I do feel that it is important to connect with one another through these outlets. But also do some research, all the information is there pretty much so you can be well educated on what we represent. The good influences is that it helps people develop faster. It also helps us build ourselves as brands. So you can create value in what you do. The bad is that it has become our main concern. More people focused on getting noticed then focusing on development. People reach a certain level and begin to utilize the tools to soon, I feel at times prematurely. Give yourself some more time to grow with in this dance and with in your skill set. Then start promoting your story of going out and pushing your brand.
How can you explain that less bboys are attending major events? Do you agree that almost in every social media we see mostly one and the same dancers? Say some words about that, please.
I believe bboys/bgirls need to not worry so much about only going to big events but supporting and battling at their local events. I’ve seen to many up and comers only trying to attend those big events when you could learn more about yourself first at local events, then once you polish your skills and stuff and your more ready start attending those major events. As far as social media channels promoting some of the same dancers, I think it is ok. It can get old but that is why it is important for us as individuals to build our own. Breaking is continuing to grow and get bigger and bigger, social media channels only can cover so much. So since they are covering many of the same events then they only promote what they see. I don’t think it’s their fault. It is just a thing of circumstance. When you take care of all your own stuff film your own battles and build your own channels then that is where the true value of your own story will be worth more.
One or ten battles can make you a “name” in the culture? How many years did you need for that?
In today’s age you can build a name with in 4-6 years of breaking. This is all thanks to today’s social media platforms. Before you would have to go uncover talent. Find it, or you would hear a name and only stories. Then you would start seeing them at events, most of the time it would take years. Took me around 10 years to get more international recognition. It had to do with how I went about my dance and how I wouldn’t travel so much to events that often. It was occasional so it took longer. As well as the style of breaking that I have and the styles and trends that came and went. I didn’t really fit into those fads so I often got overlooked. Today’s promoters play a big role on helping people be seen. They constantly have to be looking for new talent to highlight at there events. Which is good but that is just where we are at now. It has been simplified to get noticed but now there is an influx of online clips to showcase whoever wherever they are located.
Some professional tips for the bboys and bgirls to pay attention if they want to be supported by sponsors?
If you want to be supported by companies, then you have to take yourself and what you do serious. Be professional, respond to people in an appropriate matter within a a fast time as well. You also have to know how to communicate with these companies what you need and what you bring to the table. It is about building relationships with people. Also create your own worth, by owning your own footage, photos whatever else but also learn how to tell your story through all these platforms of social media.
Six years after winning your BC One belt, do you realize what in fact does this achievement mean to you?
Winning BC one was a major accomplishment in my career, it helped put me in another level of professionalism. Aside from that it helped me reach many people and inspire people I normally would never had the chance of meeting. It means a lot to me because if you believe you can do something and you put your everything into it then it can become possible.
“Being true to yourself and your moves in life” – is it still important nowadays?
Being true to yourself and what your about never gets old. It is always something that will be good to live by. We do the things we do based on wether it is the right thing for you. Not for your friends, followers or whoever. You yourself has to decide how you live and what it is that your going to get done. So yeah stay true to you always. Because even if it later turns out to be a mistake it was done with the best intentions of staying true to you.
What do you want your 100 battle be like? A small local event with some crazy “underground” vibe or a big major one?
Ideally for my 100th title I would want it to be a major event. But not sure how possible that is with some one like myself being seen so much. I don’t mind it being a small local one either. The same way it all started for me, is also a good way to reach that goal. Because those are the events I feel more natural in.
Some final words to those “who deserved to be known”?
Just want to shout out my crews Renegades, Squadron, Red Bull Bc One All Stars. Also to many people to name, I definitely want to shout out Ground level, Zulu Gremlin for taking your time to really teach me and guide in a good direction with this dance. Also to anyone that has battled with me and has helped achieve what I’m achieving in this journey to 100 you guys made this possible for me, thank you!
