Description

The backbone of NZ street dance is its strong community initiatives. Organizations like Project Team foster authentic hip-hop values and member well-being through initiatives like Project Feel Good. Key figures like John Vithali and Josh (co-founders of Loose Change) exemplify this community spirit, with members like Seju Han finding family and mental support within Project Team. Dancers like Ken Vayaga (Lightsaber/Junior Street Beast) of Lighthouse Fam are passionately teaching the next generation, running free programs in South Auckland. John Bernardo (603 Boogie Squad, NZ Lockers) stresses the importance of foundation classes and preserving the knowledge of older generations. Selena Torres highlights the nurturing environment in crews like Young ID, where 40 dancers train with intense dedication.

The episode also explores the cultural resonance of dance, with krump dancer Byron Meeta noting similarities between krumping and the traditional Maori haka, fostering Maori representation through his 13th WRLD program. He also observes that NZ's smaller size leads to less crew segregation and more collaboration compared to overseas scenes. The importance of "sessioning"—testing skills under pressure with others—is emphasized as crucial for innovation, exemplified by Seda Twi (Heavenly Pops) creating a signature move spontaneously during a battle.

Finally, the podcast delves into the NZ battle circuit, featuring events like BattleCry (running since at least 2007) and the Fusion Concept Qualifier, which showcase talent and foster connections. Loose Change, co-founded by John Vithali and Josh, saw 50 participants—a significant number for the NZ scene—and demonstrated adaptability by incorporating diverse styles. The episode highlights the mindset of top dancers like Daniel Jang and Sijo Han, who prioritize "battling yourself" for personal growth over external validation, viewing dance fundamentally as an art. For aspiring professional dancers, the advice stresses practical skills like understanding taxes and the importance of community connections and giving back.

• Global Roots, Local Flavor: NZ street dance has deep roots in 1970s South Bronx hip-hop, embracing diverse styles like breakdancing, popping, locking, krumping, and whacking, while developing its unique Aotearoa expression.
• Parris Goebel's Unparalleled Influence: Parris Goebel and her Royal Family crew are pivotal, having globally popularized the Polyswagg style and showcased NZ talent on international stages like Beyoncé's Super Bowl halftime show (over 27 million viewers).
• Community as the Core: Strong community initiatives, like Project Team and their "Project Feel Good," are the backbone, fostering well-being, authentic hip-hop values, and serving as starting points for personal and artistic growth for dancers like Seju Han and Mike Davis-Hofft.
• Preserving Knowledge & Empowering the Next Generation: Figures like Ken Vayaga (Lighthouse Fam) and John Bernardo (NZ Lockers) are dedicated to teaching youth and emphasizing foundational knowledge to ensure the continuity and progress of the NZ street dance scene.
• Cultural Connection and Collaboration: Street dance in NZ shows deep cultural resonance, with parallels drawn between krumping and haka. The smaller NZ scene encourages greater collaboration and less segregation between crews, fostering a unified environment.
• Battle Circuit Fuels Growth & Innovation: Events like BattleCry and Fusion Concept Qualifier provide vital platforms. The "sessioning" approach, where dancers test skills under pressure, leads to spontaneous creativity, as exemplified by Seda Twi's battle innovation.
• Artistry Over Competition: While competitive environments drive growth, many top NZ dancers prioritize personal development ("battle yourself") and view dance primarily as an art form rather than just a sport, seeking challenges that allow for creative freedom and innovation.

Show notes