Breaking
Breaking
Kid David on breaking into Hollywood as a dancer
Find out about Kid David's B-Boy career, how he's breaking into Hollywood, his plans for the future and his advice to everyone trying to get into the industry.
Like most well-known American B-Boys, Kid David grew up immersed in the culture of hip-hop and breaking. He made his name on the scene by the time he was a young teenager and is able to live as a full-time B-Boy; battling, judging and teaching. However, with a desire to express himself in as many ways as possible, David thought about moving to LA to get into the entertainment industry. Being a Bay Area native, he was reluctant to move at first. He had friends who were already making movies in Hollywood though, so, with a little inspiration from a girl, David moved to LA. At 18 years old, he started pursuing a career in Hollywood and found various other outlets for his eclectic creative energy.
We spoke to Kid David about what it was like being a dancer trying to make it in Hollywood and the other things he pursues in his diverse and multi-layered creative lifestyle:
Kid David (centre) with Casper and Luigi
© Little Shao/Red Bull Content Pool
How hard was it for you when you first started to try and get work in Hollywood?
It might have been luck or just good timing, but I started working right away. The first couple auditions no one knew who I was, but in time the choreographers started to know me and my style and things started happening.
How did your life as a B-Boy affect your pursuit of a career in Hollywood?
I remember there were times when I would be offered a big job and it would fall on the same weekend as a big battle. At first, I would always do the battle, as it was super-important to me to stay relevant and true to the B-Boy scene. My worst fear was looking like a sell-out and falling off the battle scene because of Hollywood. At that point a lot of B-Boys who'd moved to Hollywood kind of faded out of battling, but I think I did a good job of maintaining both for many years.
Kid David in the battle at the Red Bull BC One Camp USA 2019
© Kien Quan/Red Bull Content Pool
How has dancing helped you build an acting and performance career?
It's helped so much! I've been performing since I was a kid so cameras, 1,000 people or 10 people, I don't care. Through dance, I've unlocked so many doors to my artistry. It's opened me up to acting, modelling, hosting, DJing, choreography and more. The most important thing for any artist is truly being in the moment and not caring, and dance has taught me this over and over again. Dance has helped me so much with physicality in acting and being comfortable in my body on any stage in front of anyone.
What were the biggest lessons you learned going from dance into film and performance work?
The idea of 'faking it till you make it' is huge. When they ask if you can choreograph you say "of course." If they ask if you can model you say "maybe." If they ask if you have ever acted you say, "sure." The more you say "yes" the more you learn about yourself, and you can't learn from saying "no." There have been so many times when being closed-minded could have ruined so many life-changing moments for me.
Another valuable lesson I learned from the industry is to just be a good person. If you're a good person and act professionally, everyone will want to be around that energy. It's magnetic.
Kid David posing at the Red Bull BC One Camp
© Julian Bajsel/Red Bull Content Pool
Where are you now with your Hollywood, film and performance career?
I suppose my focus is not so much on 'Hollywood' and the 'industry' these days. I'm taking a bit of a hiatus from the traditional acting hustle, it is gruelling. But I did an indie film last year, and plan to write something of my own this year. Right now, I've started a new lifestyle brand and have been DJing a lot, so that occupies a lot of my time these days. Hollywood does continue to knock on my door every now and then, but usually when I'm not waiting for the knock.
What are your overall aspirations when it comes to your career outside of dance?
I guess my goal has always been to just make a living being myself and, to be honest, I just always have gotten bored doing one thing. I was heavily into the B-Boy world for the better part of my childhood and it got boring quickly, so I started to try and create things to keep it interesting and maybe make some money at the same time. I had a magazine at one point and now have a couple of different clothing projects. I work best from passion.
My new brand llluv represents the people who do things 'cause they llluv it. Kind of a "f**k a 9 to 5," mentality. I have so many talented friends, from skaters to dancers, to surfers, to MCs, just amazing artists all around me, so I'm like, let's throw parties and events, bring these people together and make some amazing clothing to go with it. It's a real lifestyle brand that screams CA. It's been going really well and it's just another finger on the fist.
I want to do it all! I want to act, make clothing, DJ, host, battle, model, teach workshops, judge and surf as much as I can in between it all. Its worked so far.
Do you have any overall aspirations when it comes to your hip-hop/breaking dance life?
At this point it's just important that dance and hip-hop are a part of my life and they always will be. I was raised in it and will always be a B-Boy regardless of what random project I'm focused on at the moment.
I still continue to surprise myself when it comes to the dance. I don't train any more but somehow, in this last year, I had some of my favourite personal moments in my entire dance career. It's the beauty of art, it's like wine.
How important would you say it is to network and utilise the connections you make?
It's cliche, but it is about who you know, and once people do know you, don't be forgotten. Meeting people is huge, but so is being self-sufficient. You can't wait around for people to put you on or get hooked up. Create your own project, your own lane, your own personal brand, and people will come knocking on your door.
Has the growth of the hip-hop dance scene helped you in your career pursuits?
To be honest, I think it's irrelevant. Dance's presence in the commercial world always ebbs and flows. It's huge one second and it's gone the next. I think it's amazing that competitive breaking is getting bigger and things like the Olympics will happen but it doesn't affect me personally. At this point, my brand, and who I am, is so much more than just breaking, but it may make the conversation at the bar easier when I tell someone that "I'm a dancer."
The crowd from the Red Bull BC One Camp Mumbai celebrates Kid David
© Little Shao/Red Bull Content Pool
What advice would you give to any dancers with dreams of getting into the film industry?
When you make the transition, there are basic things you need to do; Agents, get in classes, network and meet people. Set goals and be a good person. Don't put all your eggs in one basket, ever. Allow yourself to be influenced by different worlds and cultures. Don't get stuck in one dimension for too long. Also, don't forget who you are and where you came from as that's what makes you special. There is only one you, and in dance, acting or anything, only You can be You.
Find what makes you happy and do it as much as you can. Oh, and make your bed in the morning :)
