Street dance, which is an umbrella term for different dance styles such as breakdancing, popping, locking, house dance, waacking, etc., evolved during the 1970s. The name says it all, but its origin comes in part after African American and Latinx people facing injustice, oppression, and racial profiling weren’t accepted into dance studios. They took their art to the biggest stage — streets, dance parties, block parties, parks, schoolyards, raves, and nightclubs.
Historically, the street dance started to offer young people a sense of freedom. Today we can’t talk about the new generations of dancers without acknowledging those from unrepresented communities who paved the way. However, there’s another group of people making space in a male-dominated scene.
They are talented, creative, intelligent, articulate, and above all, breaking barriers. According to history, the most accomplished dancers in any style were male, but things started changing, especially in Hip Hop. A pioneer and now dubbed as the 1st Lady and Mother of Hip-Hop, Cindy Campbell, used her vision and talent to organize a back-to-school party, not knowing that her contributions to the genre would become known as The Beginning of Hip-Hop. Thanks to her, girls realized that whether it was rapping or dancing, they could also have a chair at the table and eventually build their own.
Fast forward to modern times, despite female rappers and dancers being more present in radio and tv and today can build a successful career, there’s still a noticeable gap between genders, especially regarding salaries and support.
And support is precisely what Red Bull offers female artists who want to work their way up in the dance industry. The Red Bull Dance Your Style one-on-one street dance competition gives top dancers worldwide the opportunity to face each other in different qualifiers events from all corners of the world.
After touring in Miami, Boston, Washington D.C, and other countries, the best in hip-hop, house, waacking, popping, krumping, locking, and more will meet again at the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa, on December 4-5. Here dancers will have another chance to perform against a spontaneous soundtrack - from mainstream hits to timeless classics — and take home the coveted trophy.
Among those dancers, there’s a group of women leaving everything on the dance floor. HOLA! USA had the opportunity to travel to Miami, Florida, meet and witness live the magic these female dancers spread across the entire venue. From now on, we want to continue elevating their voices, saying their names, and supporting their art and the newcomers.
Find below female street dancers you might want to keep an eye on.
“I am an afro indigenous daughter of Colombian/Ecuadorian immigrant parents. My lineage is filled with musicians, singers, dancers, and in the early 80s/90s most of my family moved to West New York , Jersey,” Stephy Styles says. “My uncle was one of the first choreographers/Freestyle House Djs in Cuenca, Ecuador and the reason why I started to dance at age 5.
“I am not only a dancer, but an activist, curator, social media manager, content creator and MC Host,” she adds. “And soon-to-be music producer.” For this Latina, learning new techniques is something embedded in her soul. “There is something humbling about starting something new and knowing that there is so much more out there learn,” she says. “More than just being labeled a dancer. Life is too short. I strive to become a great renaissance in this age of time.”
FLOEY is a Creative Artist from New York and specializes in Hip Hop, Afro/Dancehall. She also has some training in Ballet and Jazz. The dancer has been professionally competing, performing and choreographing around the world for about five years and participated in major platforms such as: SYTYCD Season 12, China Battles Championship (winner), Paris Juste Debout Thailand (runner-up), and Los Angeles Freestyle Session Open Styles (Winner). Today, the New Yorkers is looking for new opportunities and experiences.
Rogue is a 28-years-old krump dancer from South Florida. She is a member of the dance crew Floor Trouble, and the krump crew AK and Beast Camp. Rogue has performed on stage for many people over the years, including Stiches from local radio station 103.5.
The dance also teaches people how to krump, and hosts dance sessions. Through She Unit, Rogue and and two other female dancers offer a platform for the newcomers.
She Sole has been dancing for 12 years. “For the first seven years I have focused more on Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Modern styles,” she says. “For the last four years I have been focused on street styled dances, such as Hip Hop, Waving, Popping, Whacking, and Litefeet.” She Sole has performed alongside her dance crew numerous times, and won four freestyle battle competitions within the last two years. “Dance has just always been there for me, and at the end of the day, all of this is my creative outlet,” she adds.
Lady K has been dancing for nearly 12 years. Her dance styles are HipHop, LiteFeet, Punking, and House dance. In Florida, she is one of the only females who teach Hip Hop dance and one of very few who teach Punking (whacking) in her community. Dance means everything to her and without it, she definitely doesn’t think she would be here today.
Brooklyn native, Infinite “Ivvy” Johnson has always had a thing for dancing. Growing up in the early 90’s, she spent her days dancing around her house to anything with a catchy beat or a rhythmic tune. Later, Ivvy started learning about hip hop, dance hall, bellydance, contemporary, experimental dance and street dances like Bruk up and Flexn.
Marie “Poppins” Bonnevay first discovered street dancing in her home country of France. She learned about the different elements of the culture and started training in Locking, Breaking, House, Waacking and Voguing. However, she found her natural strength to have always been in Popping. Marie started entering competitions and taking them left and right (Hip Hop International Las Vegas, Bboy Summit, Step Ya Game Up New York, Soul Session Norway, Hipopsession France). She became part of Culture Shock LA, Style Elements Crew, and We Are Heroes for America’s Best Dance Crew.
Inspired by never giving less and always giving her all, Nevertheless is always open to learning. She started dancing after watching music videos. Growing up dancing in Puerto Rico, she got invited to join a dance studio where she was told that her “street style will take her nowhere.” After that, she learned over eight different dance styles and opened a Dance studio to share the art and create jobs for other dancers.
For Inyoung “Dassy” Lee, dance is more than just a learned passion. A self-taught dancer known for her infectious, powerful popping style, Dassy took herself from playful living room routines to a globally recognized elite dancer through her unwavering determination. Lee took home the trophy and title as the regional winner. She is a world-renowned Red Bull dancer and competitor. In 2017, Dassy became the first Korean dancer to qualify for “So You Think You Can Dance?” where she made it from a field of four hundred down to the Final 8 in Season 14.
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