Hip Hop Night'08: A True Blast!

Written by Tracy Wong

Hip Hop Night, organized by NUS Dance Blast!, boasted a truly fascinating display of hip hop dance movements, replete with overflowing hip-hop attitude, courtesy of the contestants in this dance competition. One was hard-pressed not to be seeking delight in one's vicarious consumption of the hip hop demeanours and mannerisms that the contestants seemed to easily internalize. Yet in the face of this all, the NUS University Cultural Centre Theatre, where the competition was held, stood serenely resilient to the thumping beats and boisterous crowd.         Hip Hop Night is a competition, whereby contestants who are in teams of two showcase their dance movements to professional judges whom themselves possess vast quantities of experience in either performing, teaching dance or both.         This year, nine pairs took turns to showcase their items. Admittedly, some groups left the audience a tad bored, while some totally blew the audience away.         Eventually, the judges came to a decision and selected six lucky groups to enter the next round. They were SOPeez, Rated PG, Mixed Stylerz, 2D, Freekzy Ace Spade and the Wan Wan Crew.         The Gen Y names of the groups become more palatable when one realizes that these contestants are still largely in their early or mid teens. However, age is no barrier for these teams as the youngest dancers appeared to be the most adept ones.           In the next round, these six groups were split into two teams.         Both teams were made to learn a dance choreographed for them in front of the audience, after which they would then perform for the audience.         Hooked reckoned that this was the audience's favourite round. It was indeed very amusing to watch the contestants play Follow the Leader with confusion explicated all over their faces.         What was doubly amusing was the fact that some of the boys had to learn girly, act-cute steps from the female host. It was definitely a sight to see these cool, macho boys, dressed in their hip-hop outfits, walking around daintily and giving blow-kisses.           When it was time to perform, many of the groups wowed the audience with their splendid performances.         Not only did they remember the steps in such a short time, they even incorporated their own style and flavour in the steps. All did well except Rated PG, who forgot their steps and ended up standing in the middle of the stage, smiling in utter embarrassment.         On seeing this, there were a few sighs from the audience. The boys from Rated PG were talented, but due to the grave mistake they have committed, many thought the judges would do away with them.         When the results were announced, 2D, Wan Wan Crew and Mixed Stylerz went into the semi-finals. Rated PG was the final team to make it into the semi-finals instead of Fritzy Ace Spades, leaving both the audience and Rated PG themselves shocked beyond belief.           The semi-finals were even more exciting. These four groups were split up into two teams again. In a team, each group was supposed to perform the first four beats of their hip-hop routine, facing the opposing group this time, in a provoking fashion.          After the first four beats, the opposing group would do the same thing.         It was a tough call, for each group "provoked" the other team really well and it was apparent that the audience was highly entertained by their funny antics.         A slight disappointment was Mixed Stylerz, who did not seem as enthusiastic as the other groups in partaking in this dance of provocation, instead, opting to direct their attention to the general audience while performing.         Hooked suspected that that was probably the reason as to why the judges called for another round. They even emphasized that both groups should do their dance while facing one another. Unfortunately, in the second round, while Wan Wan Crew did their best in provoking and teasing, Mixed Stylerz still failed to reciprocate.         Soon, the results were released.         Rated PG and Wan Wan Crew made it to the finals. They went through the game of provoking again and this time, it was a battle. Both groups were strong in their own ways and it was definitely not a piece of cake determining who the winner should be.         After a tough decision, the judges announced Rated PG the winner of Hip Hop Night 2008, while Wan Wan Crew came in 1st runner up.         From the looks of astonishment on their faces, the boys of Rated PG probably felt that their win was unbelievable. After all, barely moments prior to the announcement of their triumphant victory, they were standing dumb-founded before the audience, not knowing how to continue after forgetting their steps.         Undoubtedly, the judges must have noticed the natural talents of these two boys and could not begrudge them the opportunity to redeem themselves. Without that second chance, these two boys would not emerge triumphant at the end of the day. It was, unequivocally, a blessing in disguise.         Hip Hop Night 2008 was a blast, with teenagers proving that they could be fantastic performers albeit their young age. Hooked would be anticipating the next Hip Hop Night and we hope that it would create a bigger blast than ever before. HOOKED  Photography by Nabeel of the NUSSU Video and Photographic Society  Comments Write Comment Name: Guest Title: Comment:

 

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