LINEUP – JUDGES
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STORM
Storm started b-boying, popping and locking at the age of 14. His first tour was for ‘Bravo Breakdance Sensation 84′. Storm continued to study his dance styles and connected with other b-boys from around the world, constantly staying creative and productive throughout the late 80s. By 1991 his crew, Battle Squad was one of the world’s leading b-boy crews and thanks to them and other seminal crews from the 90s, the art of b-boying remained strong. In 1991 and 1992 Battle Squad won Battle of the Year.
From 1992 onwards, Storm danced with the New York dance Company, ‘Ghettoriginal’. He performed shows in Washington’s Kennedy Centre and in New York’s Lincoln Center. While living in NYC he regained his feeling for the funk by working with Mr Wiggles. He has also hosted the hip hop magazine show ‘Freestyle’ on the German TV channel, Viva. In 1996, he decided to form a dance company in his hometown Berlin which was called ‘The Storm and Jazzy Project’. Storm now tours the world performing solo shows and judging at major events.
BUDDHA STRETCH
Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Buddha Stretch is one of the founding members of the world famous Elite Force Crew. Buddha Stretch is credited with being one of the first hip hop choreographer/dancers to teach in a mainstream dance studio when he started teaching classes at the Broadway Dance Centre in 1989. Stretch heavily impacted the dance world by bridging the gap between “Old Skool” and “New Skool” dances. He helped initiate the rise in popularity of freestyle hip hop and hip hop choreography in music videos and live shows.
Stretch’s first music video was for Eric B and Rakim’s “Eric B for President”. His first choreography job was for Joeski Love and he went on to work with the likes of Will Smith, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, and many more. He was nominated for MTV Awards for Best Choreography for the Will Smith videos “Men In Black”, “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” and “Miami”. Stretch is versatile and multi-talented and is also an MC, writer and has a wealth of creative accolades under his belt. Always at the forefront of new ideas Stretch continues to show why he is a true Hip Hop pioneer.
ROXRITE
Mexican born b-boy Roxrite started dancing at the age of twelve inspired by peers in his school. He has become one of the most renowned b-boys of all time and is a force to be reckoned with in the battle stakes. He is a member of the new generation of the legendary US crew “Renegades” from San Francisco. Roxrite by name and nature he is famous for his clean rounds and crisp execution and simply “rocks right”.
Roxrite is well seasoned in the international battle circuit having earned over 70 titles over the years with more than 20 wins as a soloist. Roxrite is no stranger to the B-Boy Championships stage as he was the UK B-Boy Championships Solo Champion in 2005. In 2007, Roxrite made it to the finals of the Red Bull BC One in South Africa where he then lost to four times competitor Ronnie. He came back hungry and stronger to take the title in 2011 and accomplished one of his biggest goals. Since winning Red Bull BC One in 2011, Roxrite has been touring the world with the Red Bull BC One All Stars.
NIAKO
Niako began dancing in 1997 while studying Art in Paris. He was deeply inspired at this time by Michael Jackson and went on to pursue training in Hip-Hop and B-Boying. Niako joined the Daltons Possee with whom he developed his skills further and had the opportunity to dance in key hip hop events and theatre shows such as “Encounters Urban La Villette” and “Suresnes Cities Danse”.
In 2001, Niako attended the International Dance Academy school to study classical dance, contemporary and jazz. He also performed in the musical of the “10 Commandments” alongside the many great French choreographers and hip-hop dancers including Pfly, Bruce Ykanji, Dedson, Yaman, Physs, Sandrine Vandeveld & Stephane Loras. This experience enabled Niako to develop an open mind and refine his technique. He has since become a full-time professional dancer & choreographer and worked with a wide range of people and companies including Kamel Ouali, Adidas, Puma, Artoba and R’n'B & hip-hop music artists.
Niako is known worldwide for his incredible performance skills & choreographic creativity and is a well seasoned and respected judge. He has made his mark at numerous top international events including SDK, Jusete Deboute and KOD.
MOUSE
Known for his smooth and funky style, Mouse began boboying when he moved to England from the Philippines is 1996. Since his first exposure to the b-boy culture, Mouse has dedicated the last 17 years to perfecting his art. With numerous solo b-boy titles under his belt, Mouse has gained international respect as the forerunner of the UK b-boy scene. Mouse was the 2006 World B-Boy Champion having won the tough solo battle at the UK B-Boy Championships World Finals. He was also a runner up in the 2008 finals losing out narrowly at the last hurdle.
Mouse is an original member of the highly acclaimed Funkstylerz dance company and B-Boy Allstars. He has built up an impressive resume of performances, from major advertising campaigns to working with the likes of Madonna. He was also part of the theatre show ‘Life of a Bboy’ which he co-wrote and choreographed with Funkstylerz. The show features the stories of the lives of three b-boys and their journeys of discovery through b-boying. The show toured the UK and Europe in 2006 and received rave reviews after performances to sell out crowds. Mouse’s cheeky personality and crowd pleasing moves make him a natural showman who is adored by audiences wherever he performs and battles.
DEYDEY
Delphine “Dey Dey” Nguyen has been dancing since the age of 8, starting with hip hop as her first style. In 2001, she decided to pool her focus into her popping and locking and specialise in the funkstyle dances. Over the past decade Dey Dey has been learned from the pioneers of her art, the Electric Boogaloos, the Original Lockers and the French OG’s. She is one of the top female poppers in the world and travels far and wide to teach, compete, perform and judge.
Dey Dey made popping history when she became the first female World Popping Champion after winning the 2009 UK B-Boy Championship solo popping battle and Juste Debout in 2010. Dey Dey has since worked with numerous performing artists including the likes of DJ Martin Solveig and Katy Perry. She has also performed with the dance company Montalvo-Hervieu, and is playing the role of Yoyo in the movie Streetdance 2 3D which will be released in March 2012.