Bboys in the Under Amour Spine Venom Challenge

Coming up on my feeds recently is a competition by Under Armour which sets out to endorse their new product, the Spine Venom. From a marketing point of view, I think this endeavour is the best strategy. Spending money on prizes instead of expensive commercials – and with the innovation of social media – is the best way to get people involved as well as spreading the word.

I know this blog is still very new and no one really likes to contribute anything, but I have quite a humble amount of viewers which I think could support this competition. This challenge is through invitation only and since some of our bboys are in the competition we need to support them! :)

Cool Videos | Animals Crossing | A Parent's Love

My 'Cool Stuff' section is getting pretty busy these days - people this week are actually posting up some nice videos worth sharing. Here are two of my favourites this week!

This first one is hilarious. It's a human's rendition of how different animals cross the road - and how it would look like if humans did the same. Heh. Pretty cute.

History on Biting | Bboy History

Walking Dead Meme by Bboymemes

I expressed quite numerously my dislike for the bite sign and have established the fact that, yes, I think it’s quite overrated. I know the importance of maintaining originality and creativity in the scene, but I also understand that throwing the bite sign in the most unnecessary circumstance is no help to the evolution of this culture.

Dope Findings | #3

Sneaker Pillow by Vanilla Medallions

How to look fly while sleeping? Sneaker pillows. If you have a couch at your studio and you need a quick snooze with extra comfort. Sneaker pillows. If you're a dance student and sleeping overnight at the dance studio before an exam. Sneaker pillows. Solves all life's comfort mysteries lol.

Funny Welcome Picture | Dyzee | Bboy In Shanghai

Heh. I was scrolling through twitter this morning when Dyzee posted this picture up. Ok, it's hilarious. I never knew bboys are rolling high now, and it's even more funny that the Shanghai scene make them out like pimps or somewhat. Haha. Oh surely, some of them will probably enjoy this kind of welcome - but I understand why Dyzee finds it weird.

So this picture was taken when the crew arrived at Shanghai for the 2013 BIS Competition.

What a picture to wake up to. Lol.

Peaces.

Jinjo Crew | Starking 2009

With three members of the Jinjo Crew landing in LA to compete in the 3 on 3 BreakLA battles (Fe, Mold and Vero), I imagined just how much support they have back home. I still find it fascinating the fact that Korean bboys have a huge mainstream fanbase without appearing in big projects like movies and music videos. Simply, they are famous doing just what bboys do – battling and competing.

What I find even more fascinating is when two of my favourite things, k-land stuff and bboy, intersect. The key here is Korea.

Bboy Physicx in the Circus | 360 Allstars | Australia

I find it interesting that I’m bumping into a lot of Physicx articles lately, not that I have a problem with it. This latest one is quite a wonder. Physicx in the circus, say what?! Christchurch bboy, Leerok, rubbing shoulders with an international fave, what?! And now… I’m jealous. Lol.

Like mentioned in one of my previous entries, Physicx is currently in Australia. He said he’d be judging and touring while doing workshops. I figured this low intensity stuff might be for his recovery. But I guess he missed to mention joining the circus too. Wow. I would never ever have guessed that in a million years. The idea seems a little off-key, but actually it’s not so bad once explained.

Roxrite, Kid David, Prada G | My Fox LA

Spreading the word for the Red Bull BC One 2013 competition happening in South Korea, Roxrite, Kid David and Prada G featured in an episode of My Fox LA where they showcased their own individual moves as well as teach the female host the basic indian step.

How Good is Bboy Born? | Thought Bubble

I'm not sure whether the question was sincere or aimed at "dick-riders" but I sincerely value Born as an inspirational bboy, so I'll answer this properly; each to their own, aightz?!

Born is definitely one of my favourite bboys out there but I never really considered how good he is until someone raised the question recently. All bboys and bgirls have varied preferences of course, and according to their taste and style it's what's bound to define who they consider as a "good" bboy or bgirl. If we get into the semantics of the question, that's how I would define "good".

Graffiti Watches | FLüD

I was browsing around the internet when I came across these totally gangsta watches by FLüD. I think they're totally legit streetwear, not only do they have them as a wrist watches, but also clocks to decorate your walls. Both clock and wrist watch come in either black or white. I don't own them (yet), but I love them already!

Skill. Brat. Renegades. | Freestyle Session | Mason Rose

"SKILL BRAT RENEGADES is the lead-in short film for my forthcoming RAW/EPIC (coming soon), which follows 3 respected bboys through the competitive world of entertainment. This short [film] focuses on a freestyle session (freestylesession.com) of three brothers from 3 different crews (Skill Methodz/Boogie Bratz/Renegades)"

- Mason Rose

Jay Park | Red MCM Bag | Joah Music Video

Jay Park rocked the Kpop fandom once again with his bag-wearing, bag-dancing mannerism. Check these snapshots.

The Harlem Shake Revisited

In February I posted an entry which questioned the Harlem Shake. I explained that the Harlem Shake we know of today is completely different from the Harlem Shake that existed ten years ago. A video was also included depicting local Harlem residents not impressed by what the world had transformed their 'Harlem Shake' into.

Recently, I stumbled across this other video which also tries to get the message across that all this hype is burying what the true Harlem Shake is. Check it out. Harlem residents show us how it's done.

Peaces.

We Are Beautiful | Dove Ad Campaign

“You are more beautiful than what you think”

I woke up this morning with that message hovering above me. On any other occasion I would have brushed these words aside as it reminded me of something my parents or grandparents would say enough for it to lose its meaning. But after having witnessed this Dove Ad Campaign in which the words were used with such gentle force and delivery, I can’t help but take its meaning to heart this day.

Like most girls, no matter how much I deny it, or hide it, I still care about what I look outside the house – still a little self-conscious at times about what others think of me. Some people feel it more than others regardless of being a man or a woman, and we can’t ignore the existence of this weakness we all seem to have: public image.

Army Service, Done! | Physicx | Rivers Crew

Physicx finally finished his military service. This interview looks into what he’s been up to in 2013 and what his plans are for the future.

A lot of his followers are quite observant of his health status in this video, and I am a little concerned myself. But we can’t ignore the fact that he’s in India – it’s hot and he’s just done a workshop, plus he’s trying to speak in English. So what we’re seeing might just be him trying to use his brain while fatigued. Lol – who doesn’t find that difficult? So it’s nothing to be too concerned about let’s hope :).

Army Service Visit | Physicx | Rivers Crew | Born Update

It's not the first time I've been lied to by the internet. I was told Physicx served the army when he was much younger but I’m learning now that he only just got done serving in it. Heh. I’m glad the army business is over though.

While still in the army, bboy Rookie from Drifterz Crew caught up with him to see what’s up. We learn that unlike some unfortunate bboys in Korea, Physicx served the army through public service. This meant he still had the opportunity to go home at night and practice breaking if he wanted to. I heard his health wasn’t in good shape during 2010 so I guess it did something good for him eventually.

Military Service in the South Korean Army | Bboys

Imagine seeing a phenomenal bboy out-performing and out-classing everyone on the international stage. With that kind of skill, you'd want to see more of them, see what other moves they can execute, see them grow and witness their trophy cabinet fill up; to be inspired and to be taught by them.

Then out of the blue, they disappear, only to return two years later to find they have either retired from competitions or have lost a lot of their impressive abilities. It's quite a sinking feeling not being able to see them execute those same moves again or be at the top of their game like before. But this is the reality for most South Korean bboys.

Alyson Stoner | Advice for Dancers | Step-Up 3

I had to bring this old clip into this blog because her advice is just too good. For those who don't know Alyson Stoner, she is an actress, singer and dancer, and many know her for her roles in Step Up. For me, I first noticed her as that little girl dancing in Missy Elliot's music videos.

The advice she gives, I feel, goes out to just about any kind of dancer out there.

Marvel | Tokidoki | Mickey | New Era Hats

Photo from Mason Rose's blog

This entry had been sitting in my drafts for a while now but I think a sign came to me in a dream last night! The dream was about New Era Hats, and I think it was telling me to better publish this today, lol. So I did.

I dreamt about bboys Kid David and Casper acting like idiots. I think they were supposed to represent my friends in real life (who are actual idiots lol). Gee, it must be great to be well-known enough to have people from the other side of the world dreaming about you.

Roland On Scare Tactics | Supercrew | Throwback

This is a classic throwback from 2006. Many of you are probably familiar with this video already, but for some like me, it’s completely new. If you’ve seen it before, it’s good to check it out again for kicks :).

After an exhibition bboy battle, Ronnie felt Roland did better than him and this was his idea of redeeming himself. I thought it was pretty clever, heh. If you can’t beat him at bboying, find another way to beat him in front of everyone. Solution? Put him on Scare Tactics.

And the results were ridiculously more than satisfying! See for yourself.

Death Of What Bboying Was? | Commercial Culture

It’s been claimed perhaps every day that bboying is dying, that hip hop is dying – that everything that was, is dying. I can see why a lot of idealists and purists think this way, but for me, I see all this change eventually as part of the evolution of a culture.

Surely there will be bboys or hip hop artists out there who will stray too far and still claim it as part of the culture; but at the same time, there will also always be those who stick true to traditions and keep it alive, and therefore I’m not too fazed. Change is inevitable – let’s just not forget the roots.

Music Revives Old Man | Bboy Spot Article

If you don’t already follow the Bboy Spot, you should. They have some pretty amazing products solely for bboys, but they also write some amazing and thought provoking articles. The most recent one I’ve come across (but isn’t a recent article) is about an old man who came to life once he heard music from his era.

Stretching for Flexibility | strifetv

People around me have always stressed the importance of stretching before and after practice/training. I always get told this, but if you're like me then you'd respond by eagerly nodding like you just learned something unbeknown to mankind, and still do a half-ass job anyway.

Then today, I finally got the kick I needed. I was told that if I wanted to keep breaking for a long time, I'll need to keep a flexible body or else my muscle fibres are going to snap here and there. Ok, it may not come out so literal and blunt like that, but there's still a point in that.

Bboy Battles | Red Bull BC One | 2006 | São Paulo

Again, here is my summary for each battle at the 2006 Red Bull BC One Competition this time held at São Paulo, Brazil.

Judging these one on one matches are always difficult, as I've noticed. When battling in a crew, there will always be members that can go up against another crew's power, style, abstract etc. But in a match like Red Bull BC One, the judges will have to compromise judging between a power bboy against a style bboy. It’s difficult business especially when both are so good at what they do. 

Here is the description under the YouTube video, it's worth the read :)

Rest In Peace Frosty Freeze

Today marks the 5th anniversary of Frosty Freeze dancing from above. Rest In Peace. As one of the most influential bboys in history, his name is forever engraved in many bboys' and bgirls' dance. Truly an inspirational bboy through his art and his spirit. Here is a tribute video to one of our legends.

Colour Your Own Shades | Ray Ban | Accessories

This kit is called the Ray Ban Wayfarer Colourize Kit. It's pretty self-explanatory what you're supposed to do with it. I think they're pretty cool, especially for this culture (hip hop) where creativity and originality is almost an element of their own.

Amazing Asian Concept | Quick Crew

I was checking Facebook this morning and one of the updates caught my attention so... I must blog about it! I have heard of the Norwegian crew, Quick Crew, before but never really seen any of their sets. Them being European and all, I was sceptical about this ‘Asian Concept’. I thought, in what mocking stereotype do Europeans have of Asians this time?

Nevertheless, I still clicked and watched… Then I was amazed.

How to Casually Look Boss | Sprayground Bags

To all the cool people out there – why did you not tell me about the existence of such awesome bags?! I came across these bags by accident and obviously, I’m not cool enough to have come across these before. After seeing one or two pictures, I just had to see more designs. Now I’m in love. I have to get my hands on one (or three)!

Biting in Bboying | Aby & Ness

Biting is considered a huge problem in the breaking scene but I think a lot of people misunderstand what ‘biting’ really is. I admit, when I come across a pretty awesome move which I had just seen some bboy do, I’d copy it. I’d copy off videos, copy off youtube, copy off other bboys and bgirls, and people call it a bite. Heck, during practice today I guess I was ‘biting’. There is such a huge stigma surrounding the topic that I find myself feeling guilty simply by trying to learn a particular move. I feel this kind of stigma is necessary, but also needs clarification.

Aby and Ness below enlightened me on this issue, and hopefully they will enlighten you too.

A Collection of Puma Suedes | Gallery

I recently posted the commercial (featuring Drifterz) that advertised the new line of Puma Suedes, the Future Suede. I used to be obsessed with Puma - not only because I'm a bgirl and it's considered to be the 'original bboy shoes' but also because of its striking colour ways. I'm all about colour and comfort! Then one day I got broke and couldn't afford them anymore, heh. But after seeing that commercial, the Puma Shoes Fetish has returned again! Ruh ruhh.

At this point I can't go out buying shoes like I used to, but it doesn't hurt to look at what I could own one day :). Anyways, for anyone loving their pumies right now, here is a page dedicated for you. I have conveniently put together a gallery of all the different kinds of pumas I could find, and all you need to do is scroll down for your eyes to feast! Of course, it's not the complete collection, but I think I've got most of em ;D

Omg. Want. Want. Want.