This section is to give a run down of what's going on in the Aotearoa hip hop scene, the happening trends and not so happening trends as according to ME.
B BOYING
When styles collide
$1000 1st place
5 vs 5
FEB 28th
5.30pm
QE2 Memorial Hall Tauranga
$10 entry
Judges - TBC
Dj - Kidd
Hosted by Critter
Its gonna be All styles vs all involving KRUMP, BBOY and URBAN DANCE KREWS. The judges that are open minded to all dance styles who have been involved in any sort of way besides there own style and will not be biased. Well be sorting out some sort of judgin criteria since this is a new concept and has never been done.
A theory to the dj is if a B boy kru n Krump battle he will jam hip hop music that will suit both styles? if 2 Krump crews battle the dj will play krump music vice versa to bboy. Same with urban dance crews.
Click here for more information and how to register
Baptised 2 Boogie Bboy/Bgirl Classes are commencing for 2009!
March 9 at Studio 46, the first classes start for the year!
35+ moves, classes for two diferent age groups, $50 for 5 weeks.
They're 5 weeks in length and jam-packed fresh in width!!
B2B is designed to draft you for the dancefloor and equip your soul with Spirit! Click on the picture to take you through to Stretcmarks bebo for more information...
Red Bull Garage Battle
Just a quick update on the next installment of the garage battles...
Date: Sat 7th March
Time: TBC - sometime during the day
Location: Britomart, Auckland CBD
We gonna hopefully get the BBQ goin n have a camera crew getting some footage for a pro trailer.
Check the left hand colomn down the bottom for contact details.
Battle Cry
Battle Cry happened on the 22nd of November 2008 and due to that being my birthday I couldn't make it - however from what I gathered the battles were dope and a huge congratulations to Common Ground for taking that out.....about time aye boys.....
More Bodyrock footage and finals
Bodyrock b boy/b girl battles
Click on the following pictures to take you through to some of the b boy/b girl battles that happened on the 17th of January 2009.
Click the picture below to see Pacerock vs Future battle
(Photo courtesy of B Girl Tweek)
Click below to see Hugga vs Color
(Photo courtesy of B Girl Tweek)
Final Hugga vs Pacerock
(Photo courtesy of B Girl Tweek)
Click here for more photos
The winner of the event was Hugga taking out Pacerock. Madd props Hugga and Pacerock for making it through to the finals, and special fresh popping props to Hugga for the baddeset b boy on the day and an all round choice fulla.
Also I personally want to give big shout outs to Asia one for coming and gracing our shores. One of the most down to earth, real hip hop heads we've had for a while. Thanks for your words of wisdom and encouragement. Those of us who got time to be able to sit and talk with you gained much.
For more info on Asia check out her web site by clicking here and click on the photo below to check out her ill trailer
(photo courtesy of Pooria Koleyni's)
DJING
4TEK 4REVA Scratch Battle
This happened last year in November and since we didn't have a changeover of homepages now seems like a good time to review it.
Well I have to say it's been a super duper long time since I've attended a DJ battle and god I was so ready for it.
The atmosphere was dope and even though I didn't really like the venue at first (Paramount in Wellington) I have to say it was a great venue for this battle.
The DJ's were mighty skilled and I won't go into jargon of what they pulled out etc (cos I can't) but will say that it was entertaining, exciting and very well worth the it.
The CPC boys who put it on said that it will only get better next year so keep your eyes peeled. For the the results and a little drama click here to to take you to Scratch Dat! blog - check out the homepage for all your DJ/Turntable needs. Click here to check out Seer1 vs DJ Manchoo in the final battle.
Congratulations to Seer1 for taking that final.
DJ Spel
An awesome DJ from NZ making a huge name for himself with his various b boy CD's. If your ever at a b boy event without a doubt DJ Spel will be there.
His latest CD is maddd dope and if you wanna get a hold of it click here
Also check out Spels blog where he talks about interesting sometimes stranges things as well as some work that he's been rocking out at film school. Click here
MCING
New music David Dallas
David Dallas - Get Out The Way (Remix) feat Mr Sicc and Tek video.
Taken from the Something Now E.P available now at:
Itunes
Amplifier
Digirama .
Vodafone
Click here to check out David Dallas website
Bodyrock MC freestyle
Bodyrock (Wellington, New zealand/aotearoa) had a freestyle Mc cypher in which a few people got up and repped. This footage is when Juse1 got up with beatbox musician king homeboy. Click the pic above to check it.
GRAFFITI
Tearaway Magazine
Check out the March issue of tearaway, they're doing an issue on ooohhhh Graffiti. But if you wanna see more of the interview and pictures check out the website here in March
Christchurch - DTR
Check out the flicks by Iks and Freak - DTR and other. First flicks are from a event down south called AREA 9 and the others are walls.
Bodyrock - Interview withTweek event Co organiser
(Tweek in Black with B Girl Asia 1 Bodyrock 2009)
10 years is a long time to be involved or run anything, so at this time The Next would like to give props to Tweek and Swerv for their time and effort in running Bodyrock event.
The Bodyrock torch is being passed on (more on that later in the year) but for now The Next thinks it would be interesting to get to know a little more about Tweek and why shes' leaving Bodyrock.......
Bodyrock was a vision that swerv had because at the time, there weren't any other events catering specifically for the bboys and bgirls. Although the 1st Bodyrock had a lot of MC's, we wanted it to be an event where the bboys and bgirls had their time to shine. After the 1st one we didn't intend to do it again because funding for the first one was so hard to get. But we ended up working with the Wellington City Council to make the event happen again and since then, they've continued to support it.
I'm leaving Bodyrock behind because I have time changes things. It was passion that kept me doing the event, but the passion is kind of gone and of course, I'm going in a new direction with my life. I have a new partner, I'm living in Levin, I'm doing a job I really love, I have my 2 children who are my life.... and my priorities have shifted alot.
During the 10 years I did Bodyrock, I allowed my life to be consumed by hip hop.... not saying that's a bad thing but these days, I believe that there are more important things I need to focus on in my life.... but I still love hip hop.... I will always support the scene, but I've taken a step back from organising events. They can be such a stress at times and I guess also, I just got sick of people over the years making promises. People hitting me up and saying they can do this or that or help me in some way, only to be let down. Thats the worst.
Lastly, it was something that Swerv and I did together as husband and wife..... it was "Swerv and Tweeks" thing. We're no longer together.... but thankfully we have an awesome relationship... but we both have our own lives now and the 10 year anniversary was a good way to end that particular journey for both of us.
If the event carries on, I would like to see it remain an event for bboys and bgirls.... and not be outshone by anything else but still involve the other elements. I hope that whoever takes it on, is able to secure more funding for the event because it's something we struggled with for the whole 10 years we did it. I wish whoever may take the event on, the best of luck. I would love to be able to just go to a Bodyrock and chill out and enjoy the day without having to do any kind of organising. Regardless of who takes it on, it's always gonna be remembered as something that Swerv and Tweek did.... even internationally and that's something I'm proud of. For 10 years we contributed to this scene by putting on a dope raw event for the bboys and bgirls.... so I feel we played a huge part inkeeping the bboy/bgirl scene in Aotearoa alive. That makes me happy.
1. What crew/s are you down with, where are you situated and what do ya do?
I'm no longer down with a crew..... I just do my own thing these days...I'm living in Levin so there isn't really a scene here.... so the only time I would really get to hang with other heads is if I'm down in Welly and that's not often. I'm working locally for the Muaupoko Tribal Authority as a Community Development Officer. I have a 3 - 4 year contract with Department of Internal Affairs and the main focus of my job is around Youth Development so my jobs basically about identifying gaps in this community for youth, and putting initiatives in place that are sustainable so that when my contract finishes, they can continue. I'm Maori and my tribal affiliations are Muaupoko and Ngati Raukawa.
2. What/Who inspires you do what you do?
My kids Jeremiah and Nevaeh. At the end of the day, everything I do is based around them, their wellbeing and their future. They're my rock and my life.
3. What/Who has helped you get where you are today?
Life in general... my parents of course and my 6 older brothers. It wasn't easy growing up coz I was the oungest and the only girl but they taught me to be strong and to look after myself and not let people walk all over me. Hasn't always worked out for the best but that's life.... We all make mistakes.... We all burn bridges and make enemies... lol.... But I feel I'm alot wiser now because of the mistakes I've made in my past. My kids of course.... as I said, they inspire me every day to keep going.... even when things are tough and I'm at my lowest... they're my inspiration to keep going. Being a mum is a challenge but it's the biggest blessing. And of course God..... eah I'm not really walking right now.... but I believe in God, I believe he's real and I believe that hes been a big influence in my life... especially over the last 7 years or so.
4. Do you see trends in hip hop and/or your art form worldwide? If so what would be a trend you are experiencing ?
I dont know about that question.... lol... I dont get out enough or watch enough TV! haha
5. How has hip hop helped you in your life?
Its brought me into contact with so many people that I wouldn't have met otherwise... people from all over the ountry and all over the world.... I've made heaps of friends who I would never have met otherwise. Its educated me and given me opportunities to educate others share something that I love doing with them.
6. If you could tell a young person one thing what would it be?
To reach for the stars and remember that there's nothing you can't do or that is beyond your reach if you believe that you can do it or be it!
Quickie questions:
1 Favorite song/band?Thinking about you by House of Shem
2 Favorite piece of clothing? Hmmmm that would probably have to be my jeans.... hahaha.... they're comfortable and they go with anything
3 Batman or Spiderman and why? Neither..... not really a batman or spiderman fan.
4 Favourite quote/lyric/thing to say? Dont have one???
5 Favorite place to visit? Hmmmm many places. I love Taupo and Rotorua and of course Htown.... Wanna go back to Hawaii one day! :)
