On my recent trip this year to Los Angeles I was very priviledged to meet many awesome people including some of the top bboys and bgirls in the United states and the world. 2 people that I'll never forget were Citrus and Define.... they were 2 of the most down to earth and humble people I have ever met with a real genuine love for hip hop culture. They were really really sweet girls with some mad mad skills!! This year, we are priviledged to have Bgirl Define come and grace us at Bodyrock 2004.... I thought I would catch up with her before she comes to New Zealand.... here's what she had to say!!
Age: 20
Crew: Furious Styles Crew
Where are you from? Presently I live in California USA, but I mainly grew up in Arizona
What nationality are you? Half French and Fillipino
How long have you been bgirling for? Almost 4years now
What inspired you to start bgirling? Well in high school, my group of friends was into hip hop and breakin. But it wasn't until I attended my first big jam, that I was truly inspired to start bgirling. ..that jam was Styles Crew 3rd Anniversary in Nov 99. At the jam I really got a taste of how deep the culture was, there were panels, really hot battles, circles with people dancing everywhere, an all girl performance by bigirlology, legends such as Ken Swift and Mr. Wiggles were there also To top it off I even got to see Q-bert kill it on the turntables at an event across the street. The whole experience that night was a trip. And I was completely amazed and I decided that I wanted to be a part of this. So thats when I began bgirling.
How would you describe your style of dancing? hmm... well Its hard to describe in words. I would say I'm pretty proficient with my footwork, and I try to loose my self in the music as much as possible.
How do you feel about the bboy/bgirl scene right now? Well presently, Ive been enlightened to a lot about the scene. Ive recently been struck with a reality check about the growth of breakin within the scene and in society. Within the scene everything is growing so fast. Theres been a wave of more abstract dancing thats emerged. But I guess it could be considered abstract because its so new and different. Regardless, the breakin style is definitely expanding. In addition, the population in the breakin scene is blowing up too, especially in the amount of females getting down as well as younger bboys and bgirls. And everyone is so dope!! I once heard the phrase "whats not changing is dead". So I feel this growth is good, it reiterates how breakin is very alive. And in regards to society and breakin, I think breaking is definitely trendy right now. It appears everywhere on television, in magazine ads..etc But I feel that whats exposed currently is this distorted image of the culture. I feel that what the media puts out for its audience is just eye candy; a dissected, chopped up version of breakin. So just this surface is swallowed and then society has this misguided view of what breakin and hip hop really is. If truth and real knowledge could be shed to the masses in regards to this, then maybe more people could respect real hip hop and have a deeper understanding of it. Right now breakin is such an easy target to get taken advantage of. I just hope that the essence of it doesnt get lost.
Do you think there are any disadvantages to being a girl in the hip hop scene? Ive always appreciated the idea of one love. And its so evident when you go to jams and you experience this relationship of people all colors, ages, backgrounds, united by the music, dance, and culture. So to me girl/guy, it doesnt matter. I just saturate myself in the beauty of everyone coming together.
Who are your biggest inspirations in your bgirling? Everything and everyone inspires me in some way. Among my biggest are my crew, Rivett (he got me started), Abgirl, Citrus, Remind, Honey Rockwell, and of course the music, and the concept of one love.and Im definitely inspired by the youth, especially a 9 year old by the name of Gracie (or G-Fine). She breaks with her old school bboy dad (Bboy Don). Their relationship (father/daughter) together with breaking is so beautiful. The youth is the future. Im definitely inspired by all the breakers that I see right now. Everyone is so talented!
How'd you get down with Furious Styles Crew? Well a year after I started breaking, after a local jam which I competed in with my breakin sister Citrus, FSC pulled us aside and asked us to get down in their transitional division crew called Baby Styles. We agreed and the process continued from there. The main purpose of BSC was to see if we had what it took to get down in FSC. A year later they decided Citrus, Bboy Stride and I were ready and they had us spontaneously battle each other and the one who won according to their judgments would get down in the crew first. I was chosen and then before I officially got down I had to battle every FSC member for 12 rounds. I was dead but I felt the journey was worth it. Working hard for it made me appreciate it much more. I am very grateful for my crew. Theyre all very talented individuals who have a profound love for hip hop and the crew.
What are you most looking forward to when you come to New Zealand for Bodyrock? Visiting Bgirl Tweek!! Hehe.. Im very excited to learn about your beautiful country, culture and people, and especially to experience your scene and the hip hop community. I feel very blessed to go to New Zealand.
Who are your favourite bboys and bgirls? The list could go for miles among my top are Abgirl, Citrus, Jesseffeks, Beta, Asia, Remind, Ronnie, Poe, Ivaneveryone
What advice do you have for other young up and coming bgirls? Do it with your heart, have fun, and respect it.
Shoutouts? To the world :) .. and my sister and dad, Robby, FSC/family. And a big shout out to every one in the scene
