Super Dope Funk Explosion 2
The name already describes how the Jam went last weekend.
From cyphers to the workshops, I feel like every participants enjoyed every aspect of this event.
The music (By DJ/poppin Joker), the audiences, poppers, judges/teachers, atmosphere and the vibe were extraordinary.
It was definitely one of the hypest and the dopest event I’ve been to in my life as a dance lover.
Super Dope Funk Explosion (SDFX) is hosted annually by Greg “G” Li ( I apologize for miss spelling your last name on the previous blog) and and Boston University Dance group called Bulletproof Funk. I decided to go to this event this year for couple reasons.
1. because my bro, Poppin iLL, is battling so I wanted to support as always
2. The Judges were Slim Boogie, Mosta Pop, and Poppin Todd, which is a very interesting mix of poppers and I was interested in taking their workshop.
3. There were dope popping competitors such as Venom, Mark Flux, Katalyst, YJ, Lady Beast, Wookie, Shawn and many more poppers that I’m friend with.
The event was very organized, which was impressing because
MOST OF THE EVENT IS VERY DISORGANIZED and that
takes away peoples energy by the end of the event. Therefore, usually people are tired to even focus on the Final Battles,
WHICH SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. (In my opinion)
Even though there were slight schedule changes, the event run according to the schedule that was provided by the Greg through email to the event participants before the battle. Therefore, i was not disappointing by the sudden changes such as getting kicked out from the location, shorting the rounds or the battle time, doing a 3 way battle above top 16 and etc (these are from my personal experience).
I’ve told you many times already Greg but thank you for organizing this event in a way that people can focus on enjoying the dance. You’ve provided a great Jam experience to many dancers that night.
Much respect.
Not only was it well organized, the poppers brought their
A game.
There were total of approximately 40-50 poppers who entered the competition. I’d say I was impressed by most of them. Poppers were getting down hard up to a point where I was imagining that “if I was the judge, I would REALLY struggle picking only 16 poppers out of this many”.
After 30 min break top 16 was announced. I was luckily chosen to be in the top 16.
The top 16 poppers were……
1. Venom (Canada)
2. Kai (NY/Portland/China)
3. Katalyst (Boston)
4. FW (Montreal)
5. Mark Flux (D.C/Boston/LA)
6. Sun (NY/Korea)
7. Sugaloo (NY/Japan)
8. Jon Lock (NY)
9. A-Boogie (Boston)
10. Android (NY/Germany)
11. Wookie (D.C)
12. Abnormal (Montreal)
13. Rawss (Montreal)
14. Shawn (Montreal)
15. Dassy (Korea)
16. YJ (Boston/Korea)
Every battle was intense and hyped the crowd up like CRAAAAAZZZYYY lol
Check out the Battles from Daveshi’s Channel! (Subscribe if you like good quality battle footage on the eastcoast)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC9979egBds&list=PL0001AB69CC7E7096&index=1&feature=plpp_video
My top 3 battles of the night were
3. Mark Flux VS Abnormal
2. Katalyst VS Mark Flux
1. Katalyst VS Venom
I don’t want to spoil the battle so I strongly recommend you guys see the battle!
Finally, even though this was one of the best Jam I’ve ever been to, the number of audiences were very small.
Most of the spectators were poppers who entered to compete. This Jam
DEFINITELY has the attractiveness to bring in more audiences from diverse back ground. Of course it is very important to focus on providing the best experience for the poppers, (since its a popping jam) however, the event organizer always have to keep in mind that a
Jam is an environment that has the power to get people inspired to the start dancing.
Therefore, if you want to contribute to the growth of a dance style, you have to reach out to the new audiences. This will grow your venue, but at the same time it will help build the dance community, which is essential to street dance since it is still a small dance world compare to other dance.
But over all, the event never lost its hype from beginning to the end. I personally enjoyed it very much and would love to go attend the Jam next year.
Lastly, thank you to all the poppers, dancers, and audiences for showing love. It was pleasure to meet, reunite, dance and battle with all of you.
Peace, love, and god bless you all.
SUGALOO
What the Funk?! Crew
