After an eight-week preparation period the eight-man teams have eight minutes to impress the fans and jury at the Red Bull Beat Battle. Winning won’t be easy – as the eight best crews in the world will be pitted against one another in the 80s-style contest.
Eight eight-minute mix tapes in the form of old-fashioned audio cassettes and the same number of old-school boom boxes will take centre stage at the Red Bull Beat Battle. On April 7 – a step out of line from the numerologic uniformity prevailing at the event – the best B-Boy crews in the world will compete in a classic old-school contest with the aid of these now almost prehistoric contraptions.Eight crews from eight countries
During the Red Bull Beat Battle – to be held at an as yet undisclosed location in London – the contestants will reveal what moves they’ve come up with to the mixes from Jay-Roc, Dr Rubberfunk and D.J.P. At the first Beat Battle contest 2005 it was the German crew Flying Steps who most convincingly mastered the trip back in time to the 80s – the decade when breakdancing culture experienced its first heyday. Whether the multicultural group from Berlin will be able to defend its title is debatable: thirsting for revenge are the Local Heroes Funkstylerz, the French crew Pockemon, Knuckle Head Zoo from the USA, Natural Effects from Denmark, Drifterz from South Korea and Flow Mo Crew from Finland and One Peace from Japan.
£8,000 for the best crew
An international expert jury will decide who wins the title based on the best and most creative choreography: Buddah Stretch, Suga Pop, Takeo, Damon Frost and Salah will judge the best swipes, head-spins and windmills. For the participating crews, however, the respect of the expert fans is probably more important than the £8,000 prize money. If you are one of those fans and in the area over the Easter weekend, you can reserve a ticket in advance via the official website.
Red Bull Beat Battle
Red Bull Beat Battle
Red Bull Beat Battle
