THE LOWDOWN ON BREAKING FT. KID KARAM, SUNNI AND SHEKU

Hey Karam! We read that your story began at the age of eight…

That’s right! The first time I ever saw breaking was in a music video – I saw somebody head-spinning and I thought it looked so cool. I made a joke to my siblings and said, 'I’m going to do that one day.' A few weeks down the line I saw it in person at a local park and I was captivated! I had a little attempt at rolling around and from then I fell in love with it.

Top three songs that helped you to hone your skills?
Grandmaster Melle Mel & The Furious Five by Beat Street; I watched the Beat Street movies as a kid, and me and my brother absolutely loved this song! We could dance to it for hours. Then, Hot Music by Soho because this song has been around throughout my whole breaking career and I feel like it brings the best out of me, and Move On Up by Curtis Mayfield – I won a local breaking event to this song and had one of the most viral moments in breaking with my signature move.

How did you find your community?
Initially within my friendship group as there were a bunch of us who wanted to be a part of something cool. We’d attended lessons with Trinity Warriors (a dance troop based in Staffordshire) and once we became good enough, we were initiated into the crew. It took me around a year and my community then became the crew. We'd train multiple times a week, travel to compete, eat together, have fun together – we were a family. As I improved, travelled more and earned my stripes, my community became the whole breaking scene. We’re all on similar journeys and we respect that.

When did you start competing and what made you want to pursue breaking competitively?
My first ever competition was in 2007. I was one of the first tiny kids that was able to do what I did! I competed at an open-aged solo event and finished in second place, I beat my own teacher and other high-level individuals from within the scene – it felt great! I really enjoyed being on stage and at the centre of attention. I’ve always just said that I want to be the best in the world – I never want the momentum of doing well for myself to die out. I love the process of competing: the training, the mental battles, the tactics...

Love it. What kind of shoe is best for breaking?
I always like to keep my footwear light, flat and comfy. Some of the Nike shoes I’ve worn over the last few years are the Waffle 2, P-6000 and Cortez, which is my all-time favourite. Currently, I’m using the Nike JAM's non-stop which are new and have been specifically designed for breakers. 

Are you superstitious and do you wear any lucky items to perform?
Definitely. When I win or do well at a big event the outfit or colours that I was wearing on that day influence my outfits for the rest of the year. I have some lucky black Nike tracksuit bottoms that I will cherish forever because I achieved some amazing things in them!

As a b-boy and athlete, why is the introduction of breaking so important to the Summer Games?
It brings something fresh to the games and whether people or interested or not, they’re intrigued! There is a real buzz around it and I think there will be more people watching and engaging with the games because of it. It’ll attract a different viewing demographic. It will be fireworks!

Do you have any words of wisdom for b-boys and girls looking to take it to the next level?
Work hard and set goals! When you have an idea of where you want to go, the journey is much easier. For breakers specifically, travelling to events globally has made me and most breakers who they are today. Get out there, learn and show the world what you can do. Nobody can do you, better than you!

Hi Sunni! How long have you been breaking for?

Over two thirds of my life. I started out in Gloucester and I’ve been lucky enough to see the world through dance till this day.

What are your favourite breaking kicks?
I’d go for an adidas Gazelle.

Nice. What brands do you love for breaking?
adidas is the perfect fit for breaking and has been since the start. The 3-stripe has been intertwined with breaking culture since its birth.

Why is the introduction of breaking so important to the Summer Games?
It’s a massive validation in the eyes of the general public, which is great for the new generations. People can start respecting breakers in the same way as other dance forms and athletic disciplines.

Do you have any advice for any b-boys and girls looking to take it to the next level?
Don’t forget we’re here to enjoy it.

Hey Sheku! Can you tell us your story?

Well, it began when I was 12 after I watched Step Up 2: The Streets. This was my first enlightenment into the dance world. I was training every day in my school.

What made you want to pursue breaking competitively?
I knew I wanted to be a champion at something, especially after watching the UK B-Boy Championships on TV! My competitive days started around 2012 in Exeter at a competition called Tuff Breaks.
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How do the technical moves dictate what clothes you wear?
I prefer oversized clothing especially T-shirts and trousers as it always looks and feels cool whilst dancing. If you feel good, you're likely to perform better.

We hear that. What brands do you love for breaking?
New Balance, Asics, Saucony, Nike & adidas.

Are you superstitious and do you wear any lucky items to perform?
Not so much lucky clothing, but I sometimes feel stronger when I wear a beanie. Almost feels like a helmet and a sense of security when I'm dancing.

As a b-boy and athlete, why is the introduction of breaking so important to the Summer Games?
The world needs to realise how far breaking has come from when it first started. An updated introduction to breaking is well-needed for the whole community and will change public perception.

Any advice to b-boys and girls looking to take it to the next level?
Be yourself and stay original! If you’ve got haters, then you're doing something right.