breakerinterview

UBA: How did you get the name "BREAKER" ?

Breaker: It was actually given to me by my Capoeira Mestre (teacher) 8 years ago,
during our workouts and training I would always throw in some sort of breaking
variation because of my background in breaking into our practice. As in breaking,
names are given by something distinguishing about you or your personality so I was
given the name "Breaker". In 97 there weren't to many of us old schoolers left so I
was proud to represent what I have been doing most of my life. I wouldn't have
picked such an obvious name, but hey how you gonna argue with a guy who can
kick you at 200 mph... before that I used to be called Mike 1 and that's the name I
also used when doing my music and rapping.

UBA: You've been so many places what is the most memorable place you've been?

Breaker: I think every place has some kind of great memory, the most intense being
Moscow Russia and performing at Red Square, it was just a couple of years since
the walls came down and my group and I were one of 3 acts sent to represent the
US in a good will exhibition and Cirque world competition. We were performing on a
stage right in the middle of Red Square, and afterward we were invited to dine inside
the Kremlin with all these top officials. I didn't know what to expect but the people
were incredible and the city was amazing, it definitely was one of the most
memorable experiences I've had.

UBA: What message would you like to give to up and coming Breakers?

Believe in yourself and be true to yourself. The world usually tries to make you
conform to the box, even today in the breaking world people are saying you must act
a certain way, dress a certain way, dance a certain way, don't be a clone. Think for
yourself and dance the way you want to, express the way you want to and find your
own path to what ever your dreams may be, even if someone tells you it can't be
done or why are you doing something like that or even like my own personal
experience someone saying "Breaking, you'll never go anywhere doing that"
LOL...yeah right

UBA: What thing would you most like to be remembered for in Breaking?

Well I guess it would be that here is a guy who stayed true to his dream for over 20
years in Breaking and has helped a lot of people along the way. Either by giving
them some guidance in performing with them or teaching of some moves thru
videos, see sometimes all you have to be is the guy who plants the seed, from there
the tree can grow to any heights and any directions.

UBA: Who are some of the most memorable people you have worked with?

There are so many where do I start, of course Night Force my old crew, Mr.
Wiggles in 1994, Suga Pop, The Scott Brothers out of Las Vegas, 2 of the best
poppers and strobing you will ever see, Skill Methodz I gave them their first contract
performing , they started with me and my company when they were a new group in
1999-2001 ( talk about watching seeds grow and being proud) and countless others
that have been part of my life and who I am today.

UBA: Who influenced you most when you first started dancing?

It would have to be a guy named Robert Shields he and his partner had a television
show named Shields and Yarnell both of them were mimes and they used to have
this comedy show way back in the mid 70's, they were some of the best at doing
Mime and Robot. I'd practice for hours trying to get the robot down. Shabadoo and
the Lockers in the late 70's. A guy named "Pockets" who was on the Rod stewart
Video Young Turks man when i saw him wave in that video i was hooked. In the late
70's disco era John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. In the early 80's Dynamic
Rockers, New York City Breakers, RSC: Crazy Legs, Frosty Freeze, and can't
forget my big sister who was an incredible popper.

UBA: Where do you see the future of Breaking?

Well I would like to see breaking stay on a positive vibe, an art that can bring out the
creativity in people and lead to other avenues of self expression or even higher
goals in ones life because of gaining confidence thru breaking skills. The ability to
want to do something like a move and seeing yourself finally acomplish it and
achieve thru perserverance goes much further in the big picture as far as life skills.
Maybe even to the extent one day it would be recognized as a major dance form in
the eyes of everyone including the traditional dance schools, similiar to how tap
dancing was a street art now you see every nationality taking tap dancing lessons
from young to old. Bringing unity in the breaking world is important in the future or
else things can go the opposite way and the breaking world could destroy itself thru
ego's and self righteousnes, we must remember we are all in this together..

questions from JJ Bradley

How did you get involved in Break Dancing?

Breaking emerged after the Disco age which is when I started dancing, that was
back in the days when popping and locking,doing the robot and some John Travolta
half splits were the craze it was a natural transition. I was already at clubs battling
and winning club dance contests before I was breaking, many people believe
battling was only with breaking but it was before so about 1983 is when I first really
started uprocking and downrocking or "Breaking"

Who taught you how to Break Dance?

Back then it was new so everyone was creating as it was going on but a lot of
moves were adaptations of other moves from martial arts, to old dance movies, to
even national geographic those that worked stayed those that didn't people didn't
use or adapted another way so it would work. One of the first television shows to
feature breaking was called "That's Incredible" a prime time television show which
featured some of the New York City Breakers it was around 1982 0r 3 it's been so
long i don't remember exactly but that alone influenced a lot of people then there
were videos like " Buffalo Gal's by Malcolm McClaren and the song A-E-I-O-U which
featured breaking all these contributed to more visuals which carried breaking out to
a larger audience.

Is Breaking the only activity you take part in, or do you also enjoy other past times?

I also workout regularly and try different gymnastics and I am avid student of
different martial arts including Aikido, Capoeira, White Tiger Kung fu all these
disciplines are very similar in their use of technique and motion as the foundation of
the art. I also enjoy surfing, scuba, rollerblading, philosophy and helping others the
best I can. As I say "life is an adventure, might as well make it a fun one".

Did you first do gymnastics or martial arts before you took up break dancing?

No, that actually came after the breaking started, I was just fascinated at what could
be achieved by the human body that I seeked other forms to reach higher goals with
myself and thru traveling I was blessed with the opportunity to meet teachers and
different people from around the world who I could learn from.

What career options are there for a break dancer?

It depends on what level you want to take it, but I believe there are as many options
as any other form of dancing it is just up to the individual how far they want to go.
The door is open for breaking, when I first started breaking was not even given a
chance from the so called formal trained dancers, but with the incredible amount of
exposure breaking is getting, it can not be denied any more, just find a good agency
or company. That's one of the reasons I created my company G-Force
www.gforceshow.com I specialize in looking for talent whether in breaking, martial
arts or gymnastics I try to give talented people an opportunity to have a career doing
what they love.

UBA: Any last comments?

I would like to say that we as a community need to stick together, breaking is a
dance so have fun doing the dance, let it be your passion and enjoy it, create your
expression with no rules or boundaries, let it set you free. Breaking is not a religion
as some people are trying to make it with it's formalities and structure, or a sport
where there are only competitions, listen to the beat and move to it with your own
feeling, let lose and enjoy your bodies movement. It's about the rhythym, it's about
the beat it's about dancing, don't forget that.