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 in the Military

Posted on February 18, 2009

Before Planet B-Boy came out, the director dropped a really creative promo for the film that simulated a battle between North and South Korea at the DMZ:

It made me wonder about b-boys and b-girls who may be serving in the military.  I’ve heard of different breakers enlisting and figured the passion wouldn’t die just because they’re now sporting fatigues and boots instead of jumpsuits and shell toes.  And if Generation Kill holds any merit, there’s a lot of downtown for those currently serving in Iraq. Check out how these servicemen are filling their time:

And it’s not limited to the American military. Here are breakdancers from other nations getting down while serving their countries.

Israel:

Russia:

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: