Shaolin Showdown!!!

Yo what?! Sorry for the delay on my judging experience out in the Battle of Shaolin. I've been training with the crew and getting ready for major battles that are coming up. Which included our battle at Circles 10 this past weekend. That battle was at first easy until we got to the finals to battle it out with the Beat Wackz A team. Now that battle was war and we won that by the skin of our teeth. To me it was too close to call. Yea we went at it. Hardest we ever worked to win a battle. But more on that later.

Now to the Battle of Shaolin! Yo dope spot, not to far from the ferry. I heard it was within walking distance. The spot was kinda caged up on the top. So basically there was viewing from above looking down into the battle. Like watching animals tare each other apart. Hahaha. So as soon as I walked in this ill ass band was playing. I believe they were called the Bandidos or something like that. They played at Frosty Freeze's fundraiser party. Yooooo they were playing and it felt like the record was playing. It took me like a couple of minutes to realize that a band was killing it. They were on that ledge playing their beats for the bboys below down in the cage. Yo it was crazy! A lot of energy going on in that room. Big shout outs to Thriller and the rest of the Fresh Style Rockers for putting together a hell of an event. I was feeling the energy. There were some French bboys in the place. I believe from 4 different crews. They were really dope. I forgot their names. Except for Ramses who I battled way back in Miami like 5 to 6 years ago. Maybe more. Out in the streets of South Beach while we were hitting. Hahaha. Man I got to stop going off topic.

So yea the battle begun and the format they had was having the first 8 or 10 that signed up were admitted into the battle. I forget how many. Hungriest first, I guess. Then the remainder had to showcase and then the best 6 or 8. I'm still not sure on the number again. But the total amount of bboys to have in the battle were 16. At first we started with 1 round but then the first battle showed that not that many people know how to battle. Now let me explain what I'm used to feeling when I hear the host say One round each. I get really amped and prepared. One round is NOTHING! If your asked to prove yourself worthy of winning a battle in just one round, then it shouldn't be a problem. ONE ROUND! One Round! Yo just leave it out there. 3 rounds now you have to think about spreading out your moves, stamina, and many other factors that can apply to your regular battle strategy. But one round? Say you don't know what your opponent has and you go first, One you set the standard and go all out. Two It shouldn't matter what the other person has. Be confident with what you got and make it look like the best move ever. Be you. Three leave it all out there if you have to. It's only one round so you can catch your breath after the battle cause you don't have to go down again if you showed how dominant you were. Four don't leave it for the judges to decide your fate. Make it clear. Make it seem like there is no question that your opponent was smoked. Worry about the next round after this battle. Always confront wants in front of you. It's always good to plan ahead but not to far ahead. If you save it for later then if by any chance you lose, then guess what? You'll definitely be saving that move for later. Cause you won't have the chance to do it at all. Look I'm not saying I'm the best judge or what not. I'm just giving my honest opinion and how I feel about the dance through my own experiences. I'm still learning about the dance so don't in any way think that I'm thinking that I got it all right. I still have A lot to learn in the game. Believe that! Every day I learn a lot. Even with other students, my students and other bboys in the game.

So back to the battles. The one on one battles to me were a lil dead. I don't know how when we started mad hype with us judges throwing down. Then the DJ's getting down! DP and Forest Get Em Gump! Yup. Both are bboys. And with their own styles. Without a question. Things got hyped even more with the Turntable Annhilist himself DP one got busy with the one's and two's and started showing his turntable skillz. Which led a local Beat Boxer get on the mic and kill it himself. The energy was insane. Even Qwik Step added the icing on the cake and murdered that floor. Now was it the pressure or was it that there was too many rounds. Tell me yo! What was it? Many of our heavy hitters were not in town but getting busy in Virginia. It was the chance for many up and coming to go out there and go crazy! A lot of dope bboys didn't even come. I know Staten Island is far but it's not that bad. The ferry is like a 30 minute ride, if that. But some of the battles were hype though. First battle that really got me hype was the Bonnie and Clyde's. Oh man J La Rock is freaking nasty. Yo I love her energy and vibe. She don't hesitate or nothing. She always comes strong and maaaaaaad hungry. She was holding it down. It's good to see a bgirl bringing that kind of flre to the table especially consitently.

I was highly impressed with a few bboys that day. Lil Tony was killing it to me. I like the flow and moves he's bringing to the table. I don't know if he be crashing sometimes but he plays it off very well if he is. Putting style and some intricate shit all together. Excite was good overall in both the one on one's and bonnie and clyde. Made it to the finals in both so got to give props for that. Definitely got to give it up for my homie for winning the damn thing! The Mighty Whorah is stepping it up! It may look like he's slow or whatever you may say about his style. But no matter what he's always doing like 10 to 20 moves a go down. doing the footwork, power, tricks, a lil style here and there, stamina, and innovative technicality all together in one package in every go down. He works more on his Character, battle presence, and especially more on his style, there will be trouble for everyone. Keep it up homie! You doing it. We doing it! What! What! So yea about the final battle even though I thought he edged out Excite I voted as a tie. I told him you have to make it absolutely clear for me or else I'm not going to be picking your ass. I've seen him more on his best and worse than anybody else. You can ask anybody in my crew. I'm maaaaaad hard on them. If they lose they hate to ask me about it. Cause I be telling the truth in what I think or what the judges maybe thinking about what they did. It's about our community and getting better. Be honest with each other and be open for constructive criticism. But don't hate. Be logical about what you say make sure you think before you say what your going to say. Don't just go by emotion. Well thats my piece about this battle. Thanks a lot Thriller and keep it going! Give it up for the Fresh Style Rockers. An old school crew from Staten Island! That's right Staten Island is definitely in the hip hop game! NYC baby!