I’ve wanted to start writing reviews for West Coast Poppin, and I keep getting beat, (last time by Wave-o who posted at 4:00am after the Jsmooth/Frantick battle!!) I’d like to contribute my thoughts (take it for what it’s worth) to this small community of street dancing that has made me who I am.

Friday night I decided to sit back and take the event in and absorb all the talent in one room. I couldn’t think of a better to “Unite the West” then with an all night stage cypher. After Preying Manthis's B-day bash I think it gave our community a stir that it needed.

Over the last three to four years I think there has been a great shift of “whose on top”, for a while it seemed like France was dominating, and the US couldn’t catch up. It seems to me the rise of MGF had a lot to do with change. They formed a crew, created a name, a DVD, and they were known. Maybe not the best at the time? But it didn’t matter they had buzz and hype surrounding them. Which I think ultimately pulled the US rankings up. This was followed by the MGF – ABM rivalry, which was amazing to follow considering that was also when internet trash talking got big (especially from Jrock) and it brought another dynamic to the dance. Since ABM has backed off the battle-tip, G-Style has moved into there position.

What I like about last week, and Friday nights jam, was that there weren’t any judges (except those watching), no organization, no rules, just call outs. Frantick called out Jsmooth and is started a fire for the west.

- Green vs. Lobo
- Koncept vs. Tronic
- Lobo vs. Mayden China
- Pharside vs. Unknown Krumper
- Drunk Kid Boogie vs. Frantick (Funny to watch)

Rivalry is a fun part of the dance, we battle to challenge others, improve ourselves, and represent what we bring to the table. I’d like to imagine a rivalry bigger than the Gstyle vs. MGF. I’ve always dreamed of creating a world series of Popping and have a US dream team. Could you imagine? Jsmooth, Kid Boogie, Frantick, Jrock, Slim Boogie, Tetris throw in someone like Jigsaw or Skywalker for some out of this world dynamic?

What country could step to that?

I think the greatest thing about Friday night was that at one point and I looked at the stage and saw so much talent and potential. We all come from very different lifestyles and careers, but we do share a weird connection between music and creating that illusion in our bodies. If you meet a popper/locker anywhere in the world--they feel the same way--I think that’s the real Unity.

Article written by "LUX"