Celebreak

Breakdancing around the World: Iraq (Again)

Posted on April 2, 2009

Though breaking started in the Bronx, NY, it has since grown from a U.S. fad to world-wide phenomenon. I‘ll periodically post a “Breaking all over the World” blog to showcase b-boys and b-girls from all around the globe.

I blogged about breaking in Iraq last December but had to revisit once I saw this clip. I’m constantly amazed at how ubiquitous breaking has become. It’s everywhere! 

The dreams and fears of these Iraqi b-boys are equally conveyed in this clip. They aspire to open schools and want to be allowed to break in peace. But they also recognize that their dancing, which is seen as Western, is still unacceptable in their society and are aware of the consequences. Some even cover their faces as to not be recognized by passerbys and hope that a power outage prevents the footage from being shown on TV. 

Truely amazing. I can’t wait to see Iraq represented at a Battle of the Year. 

I wasn’t able to embed the clip but you can view the footage here: http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/2067.htm

Breakdancing around the World: India

Posted on February 24, 2009

Though breaking started in the Bronx, NY, it has since grown from a U.S. fad to world-wide phenomenon. I‘ll periodically post a “Breaking around the World” blog to showcase b-boys and b-girls from all around the globe.

I used wonder if India, the world’s second most populous country, had a strong breakdancing scene. Despite Battle of the Year and other global events, the nation was never represented. But with so many people there, and with their booming economy, it was only a matter of time before some desi’s started making noise.

Coming straight outta Mumbai, UD Kombat Crew has emerged as one of the country’s top crews and is helping to spread breakdancing culture all over the sub-continent.

Like they mention in the clip, this crew is in high demand. They’ve done commercials, started a breakdancing school in Mumbai and have also been on India’s Got Talent.

Breakdancing around the World: Canada

Posted on December 30, 2008

Though breaking started in the Bronx, NY, it has since grown from a U.S. fad to world-wide phenomenon. I‘ll periodically post a “Breaking around the World” blog to showcase b-boys and b-girls from all around the globe.

I’ve never understood why Americans poked fun at Canada so much but their b-boys are definitely no joke.  I wrote about the impact of Canadian b-boys Buddha and Lazy Legs but some others have also been very influential. Bag-o-Trix and Supernaturalz crews both helped popularize threading, an intricate footwork style (also known as origami style) that many b-boys do today.

Here’s a highlight clip of Dyzee of Supernaturalz Crew where he does a lot of threading:

Breakdancing around the World: Iraq

Posted on December 7, 2008

Though breaking started in the Bronx, NY, it has since grown from a U.S. fad to world-wide phenomenon. I‘ll periodically post a “Breaking all over the World” blog to showcase b-boys and b-girls from all around the globe.

This dance is seriously universal. There are breaker’s in Iraq, a country where adopting western styles can get you killed. The group’s first b-boy, who learned breaking while traveling abroad, was even killed for it. Here’s the piece that CNN did on the group: