I found this editorial on Bionic’s myspace and asked for his permission to publish it on One Cypher. I thought this was a very honestly written editorial. We respect everyone’s opinion just as long as they have a reason for stating it. This is written from the perspective of somebody who’s foundation is not of choreographed dancing. He’s been a student to many and is a well respected dancer in this community. One may not agree with everything written in this article but its always interesting and often educational when you see people (from different training backgrounds) battle one another. Its important to hear other dancers perspectives. Agree or not…There’s passion for the art behind this piece…we respect that. -Shelley Oto

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It’s clear in the battle, don’t believe the hype…I do in fact respect a lot of the Jabbawockee members (can’t name them all I know it wasn’t just them repping…it was other people) hence So-cal All-Stars, Rainen (not in the battle) being one, Ronnie (who’s not really part of that crew) repped his shit hard, Ill give it up to that guy. I like Kevin (really respectable person) a lot…I don’t agree with how disrespectful Phil was being because it was a battle, just got to deal with it. Anyhow his split to falling back was certainly too much hype (your choreography is dope, but in the battle…napes, sorry bro…just being real). They were trying to clap on beat for my bro J-smooth when if you feel out all the beats…maybe…no F that…J-smooth was a lil’ too advanced for you. You are lucky he didn’t do what he was capable of; it would have been a wrap. Besides, the truth is, they don’t even probably understand the Funk movement or what it means to feel out the beat in a funky way. I didn’t see it when they were trying to pop…nope…that’s why they were trying to clap on the beat while we were getting down poppin’ n gettin funky. They had no idea because they were just trying to hit claps and once in awhile another beat. They need to get educated on the funk, my friends and the same thing for Jardy and Mikey, a lot of shit was over hyped in that battle, in my opinion. But it’s a battle…oh well…til next time. And yes I don’t care who reads this. Eventually, there will be a next time. In retrospect, I don’t need to say much. People who understand dance know wassup, but it’s also true if a group gets the crowd, hands down it’s yours. In reality, to yourself, you really live with the guilt of accepting if you won or not. Just because a crowd says you won, doesn’t always mean that you did because how many times have people changed their minds after watching battles. After a couple years and going back to old footage your perspective might change and you might even think the opposite. In my opinion, people need to be a lil’ more educated when it comes to dance, but its on people to actually dig for real shit. It’s like diggin’ in the crates, finding gold, finding better meaning to dancing and understanding it. Reppin’ it, not being hyped because your crew is cheering for BS movement just because it seems funny or cool. It’s your dignity. So if you wanna live the hype, go do it, but people that put in real work, real skills don’t go unnoticed. Eventually, people will realize it. Its true, I used to be part of the hype and one day I took myself out the scene and learned about real shit, took in Boogaloo, took in bay styles, took in locking, took in house, took in rocking, learned from people like Demonz of the Mind, Electric Boogaloos, Ken swift, etc. Are you really ready to humble yourself and sacrifice or half ass and live the hype? I ain’t tripping about the half asses, y’all won’t last long anyways because you ain’t appreciating the dance or loving it like I am…

-Bionic

PART 1

PART 2