It’s a @RedBullBCOne #bboy takeover on http://allstreetdance.co.uk! Head over and check out them in bullet time now! #breakdance #breakdancing (Taken with instagram)
ILL-Abilities at Breakin’ Convention 2012 in London
This year at the Breakin’ Convention for the first time is a US act called ILL-Abilities (International), a b-boy company that challenges the misconceptions about people with disabilities. The Breakin’ Convention are honoured to have them performing with a live DJ to present their piece No Limits that we have no doubt will audiences in awe of their ‘ill abilities’. Big Smoke asks the questions…The 2012 Olympic games in London this summer, what would your preferred sport be?
LAZYLEGZ: Table Tennis haha J.K. Personally, I love swimming! I used to compete with my High School swim team and I enjoy that not only you are competing against other swimmers but also you are constantly competing against yourself to improve your time. I believe there are a lot of parallels with breaking because when you battle you are not only battling the person or crew in front of you but you are constantly trying to improve your movements fluidity to stay on the top! I guess this ideology can relate to almost any sporting activity.
CHECHO: Taekwondo and gymnastics, to call me a lot of attention these two disciplines in the Olympics, because they are of great technical strength and perseverance.
REDO: Diving and gymnastics always look pretty awesome cause everything is so perfectly executed. But off course synchronised swimming is my favourite, cause they do crew routines in water haha.
What is the most important quality you need to have to be a successful dancer?
LAZYLEGZ: This is a good question because I think there are lots of different answers to this question. I think dancers that act professional, are unique, can be themselves, and stay humble are the most successful ones. I guess the most important quality is for the dancer to be open and motivated. We are constantly learning new things on a daily basis and we learn from each other no matter how long you may have been dancing.
CHECHO: Much fun at the dance, effort, perseverance and always want to overcome first.The most importantly, never stop your dreams and every day trying new things to advance.
REDO: Anyone can be a dancer but to be successful you need to have a lot of determination and willing to sacrifice a lot of personal things, work hard and love what you do!
What does dance now provide that dance didn’t before?
LAZYLEGZ: I believe in just the past 10-years that I have been involved in the dance world it’s changed. I believe thanks to all the media, TV Shows, and
Movies (no matter what we may actually think of them ) these avenues have given the general society a better understanding of the overall dance culture, because of this it’s
opened up doors for people of all ages and abilities around the world to try dance and use it as a means to express themselves. From a dancers perspective this has given
greater opportunities for us to make actual life long careers out of our passions. I know when I first started I didn’t believe I would be where I am at today; traveling the
world and making a living off doing what I love. I remember even 8-years ago when I began University and I created the Breakdance club at my school the student council
kind of looked at the club like a joke and thought breaking was just a “fad” because of that I believe not even 8-years ago general society didn’t realise how big dance really
is. I am thankful of what dance has given me, more than the career and opportunities, it’s given me confidence, a better understanding of my body, and open mind to live
and love life everyday!
What’s the best tune to dance to?
LAZYLEGZ: There are so many good songs! I believe any hype beat that’s played loud in a battle or a club can get me dancing. I personally love dancing on a live band. When ever I hear music and the one song “Cypher Black” I love it brings back so many memories of one of ILL-Abilities™ (Tommy, Chech, and Lazylegz) trips in France in 2008. Still to this day I love this song and listen to it as it was the first time I heard it .
CHECHO: I like many songs dancing couple, which I like most are those with a fast beat but marked to be very energetic and I like the latin music.
If you didn’t do B-Boying’’ what would you be doing?
LAZYLEGZ: I don’t know… Probably something unusual though. I’ve always been extremely active as a kid and never really “sat-down” when I was told too. I would always try to find ways to do things my own way and do them well. I’ve always been a bit of a businessman from renting out my video games, selling candy in school, to becoming a self-managed dancer and motivational speaker. So I probably would have become some type of businessman.
CHECHO: The B-Boying” came into my life at a time when I needed a lot to learn to have confidence in myself and overcome my personal fears, I did not have much personality to speak in public to try new things and self-motivated, I think the B-Boying’ strengthened me both physically and mentally and if I had not known the B-Boying’ I think at this point I would be very different and only have a normal job of electronic technician.
REDO: Besides B-Boying’ I study Media and Entertainment Management at the INHolland University of Applied Sciences. Currently I’m in my final year and I plan to graduate this Summer. Therefore I would like to do more with event organisation as well.
What can people expect from your piece ‘NO LIMITS’?
LAZYLEGZ: I believe when people will experience our piece they may have a better understanding that we are alike and there are no real differences in all of us. I believe the audience will be impressed with our stories, dance moves, and unique choreographies. I am hoping the audience will walk out of the theatre with a little inspiration to get them moving forward towards their goal.
CHECHO: It is a scene which shows the different stories of the members of the ill-Abilities,that despite all the obstacles that crossed our paths always always strive to achieve our dreams and show society and the world that anything is possible and always a glimmer of hope open at all times. Personally for me ILL-Abilities and NO LIMITS are very important to me and I think we have many good things to give people.
REDO: No Limits highlights the personal stories of every dancer in ILL-Abilities. The stories will congregate together and unite with strength, passion, skill and close friendships making the impossible, possible.
What’s your message to motivate people and seeing you for the first time ?
LAZYLEGZ: Our message as ILL-Abilities™ is “No Excuses, No Limits” even though every member of ILL-Abilities™ has there own personal message and story about Positivity, Life Choices, Overcoming Adversity, and Assumptions. Together, we all share the idea that in life anything is possible as long as you don’t create any excuses along the way. The minute you create that excuse telling yourself you can’t do something that’s where you are really limiting yourself. Don’t create any excuses, give things a try, try your best, and never give up; your possibilities are limitless! So, NO EXCUSES, NO LIMITS!
CHECHO: The B-Boying’ came into my life at a time when I needed a lot to learn to have confidence in myself and overcome my personal fears, I did not have much personality to speak in public to try new things and self-motivated, I think the B-Boying strengthened me both physically and mentally and if I had not known the B-Boying I think at this point I would be very different and only have a normal job of electronic technician.
REDO: No Excuses, No Limits!
5 minutes with Bboy Legend Ken Swift: “MUSIC IS KEY.”
N: How do you view the current BBoyin/Hip Hop community? How does it compare to when you were first getting involved with the “scene?”
KS: The B.Boy/B.Girl community seems like its doing pretty well, i continue to still see people that are really enjoying themselves and having fun in Breaking so as long as that exists, we should be fine. I like the fact that our community’s events also connect us with people from other countries with different traditions and lifestyles, this has always been something really important in my life. Back then it was pretty much the same as far as seeing it, getting into it, practicing and gettin down in circles, but we cant compare that to now having the internet, youtube, big budget events etc.
N: What does your physical regime consist of in order to keep in the best shape possible?
KS: Outside of my responsibilities with my family, I try to squeeze time in each week to train. With Breaking, these days I teach one day a week and then practice 2 hours on a different day. Outside of dancing, I do basic stretching and calisthenics every morning, maybe half hour max. I am not pretty intense with the training, but, I have made really good improvements and adjustments with my diet so, I’m feelin good. This isn’t my idea of best possible shape lol, but it works for me.N: Do you consider yourself to have a balanced lifestyle?
KS: I would say I try to balance things out in my life, making good choices contributes to this balance.
N: What is your primary form of expression and why?
KS: Dancing has to be it, over the years it has really grown on me. Back when I was a kid I wanted to be a B.Boy. I never said I want to be a dancer. I saw B.Boying in its own little place. At 12 yrs old I saw the physical challenge, liked the percussion, the competitiveness, the fact that you could do what you wanted, the freedom to make things up and give them names, the feeling it gave you when you rocked a nice move and people responded. Over the years I’ve been hanging out with dancers from back then who are my age. Of course I’ve always been doin Rock Dance, since my early Brooklyn Rock days, but having the chance to evolve over the last 12 years with styles I had never seen has definitely opened me up so the feeling almost feels new, its great. Music is the key
N: What gives you a sense of well-being?
KS: Just knowing that I’m human gives me a sense of well-being. Things can get tough, life is crazy, I just try to go with the flow. I try to smile half of the time when stuff gets zany, and of course stay focused. Im a pretty normal person, fame is cool and all that but I try to keep myself grounded. Making good choices and knowing that I’ve been super blessed in my life gives me a sense of well-being.Thanks to Ken Swift for taking the time to answer these questions and for continuing to inspire and educate worldwide
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Longest bboy move at IBE 2011
The Notorious IBE 2011 (Friday, Day 1)
This morning I drove from Mannheim to Herleen for the IBE. Jannick, a friend from Switzerland, picked me up and we took the car & after one or two smaller traffic jam’s we arrived.
After checking in at the hotel it was waiting time. Cypher’s didn’t open yet so we just chilled in the city & saw everybody arriving as the day did go on.My EXG family came in later too, was nice to see everybody again, for sure! As later it got, as more people came in & the opening finally started.
The first day is always a little slower & not that busy, but it seemed that a lot of people didn’t wanne miss that anyway. We had a couple of talkshow’s & some battle’s. Actually the after party goes on right now, so I better hurry up ;)Unfortunately I couldn’t be anywhere at the same time of course, but here are the first couple of shot’s I got so far.
Winner of the “Seven To Smoke”:
Just Do ItTalk to you later guys…
IBE 2011 new logo. #Like #Dislike?
I think it looks bold and strong. But the old yellow on black colours still r00lz.
The Rock Steady Kids featuring Bailrok, Case One, Feenx and Shadoe
Cat breakdancing. I wish I could find a gif of this.
