On July 21 in Chicago, North America’s top b-boys will face off during the Red Bull BC One North American qualifier at the historic Aragon Entertainment Center. Throughout four rounds of 1-on-1 battles, the competition will feature b-boys that have paved their way to the highest platform of breakdancing: Red Bull BC One. 16 b-boys will fight for the chance to represent North America in the ultimate battle at the world finals later this year in Rio.
B-boys will display their styles reflecting their regional backgrounds. With West Coast power moves meeting the freezing styles of the East, Chicago fans of this complex dance style will not be disappointed. At the end, only one of the 16 competitors will emerge with the right to call himself the best b-boy in North America. In addition to bragging rights, the victor will earn the chance to represent North America at the Red Bull BC One World Finals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this December. The qualifier in Chicago will be held at the Aragon Entertainment Center on Saturday, July 21 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the event are $10 for General Admission on the floor and the balcony, and can be purchased at the Aragon box office or online at aragon.com. Red Bull BC One is an all ages event, with free admission for those 12 and under. More information on the event can be found at www.redbullbcone.com.
B-boy Ronnie, the Las Vegas breaker who won the 2007 Red Bull BC One Finals in South Africa, knows something about the importance of the United States qualifiers. He will join b-boys Float and Machine to judge the Chicago event. Looking ahead, Ronnie said, “To win something this big in America will mean so much. All the b-boys are training for this like it’s the Red Bull BC One Finals. Whoever wins this, it’s going to be a big deal.”
As one of the four elements of hip-hop—along with MCing, DJing and graffiti—b-boying has thrived in Chicago, a city with undisputed hip-hop cred. The ballroom inside of the Aragon Entertainment Center is one of the Windy City’s most storied cultural landmarks and a legendary dance venue, will serve as the arena for a day of battles that will help shape the future of b-boying. Skeme Richards, who serves as the DJ for the legendary Rock Steady Crew, will provide music for the night and hosting the event is RAKAA, representing the Dilated Peoples, the Rock Steady Crew, and UZN.
The 16 competing b-boys include: Ken Fury (New York City), Domkey (Philadelphia), Ronnie Ruen (Los Angeles), Villn (Sacramento), Tata (Brooklyn), Evol (Chicago), Nasty Nate (Houston), Fléau (Canada), Mijo (Milwaukee), MN Joe (St. Paul), Bebo(Brockton), Prada G (Los Angeles), Mig 187 (Las Vegas), Omen (Homestead), Stripes (Tampa), and Kid Cruz (Denver).
Going back to the 1970s, b-boy competitions centered around 1-on-1 battles. In the last 15 years, however, crew competitions have become more popular. Red Bull BC One takes breaking back to its roots by keeping the focus on 1-on-1 contests. Since its birth in 2004, the Red Bull BC One has become the premiere competition in the world of B-Boying. While the competition has consistently attracted the best in the world, in 2011 the event series opened up to give any B-Boys the chance to compete through a multi layered global qualification phase. For this great season, Red Bull BC One was voted best B-Boy Event 2011 at the World of Dance Awards.
This year, there will be over 60 Cyphers, local qualification events in countries as far and wide as Algeria, Italy, Bolivia and Taiwan. Winners of those Cyphers will get the chance to compete in one of six continental qualifiers in an attempt to reach the World Final, which will be held in December 2012.
Tickets for the Chicago event: general admission / balcony – $10 at http://win.gs/rbbc1chitix. For more information, visit www.redbullbcone.com