Out of work at 2, it was a rapid skate home, quick shower and quicker trip to the train station. Having made it to the 2:55 train on time we sat, realising we were exhausted. Not really knowing what to expect, we made it to Kings Cross then tube'd it to Islington; site of the coming battle royale at the O2 Academy.
With no sign postings, we found ourselves indebted to the wonders of smartphone GPS. Directions known, the two of us quick marched the quoted '20 minute' walk. Putting in the odd quick step, dropping a shoulder and cutting up a few pedestrians here and there we did it in 10. There was to be no tourist-like hanging about to admire views.
5:30, doors opening, and the crowds were ready. The beauty of Breaking proving itself to attract people of many styles. This we noticed, by looking around at the shoes on show. Afterall, Breaking is a major faction of original Hip-Hop culture, just as much as being a sneaker head is. And yet looking around at the crowds it was only too clear to see how Hip-Hop had broadened it's reach, grabbing kids who rocked all different kinds of sneakers.
So this was D 'n' me! You could tell Dari's excitement, as he'd opted for his much prized Son of Mars Jordan's. D is the passionate novice. Only in the game 5 minutes but understanding of a love for the art. Forget about being way too G, Dari is way too D! He'll do what he does and if you don't like well that's up to you.
I personally went for my Koston 1 Signature model Nike's. Koston being a skater, I felt these would be a safe choice as I didn't wish to come across like a B-Boy and wind up getting into a battle without any such skills to match!
It was our turn to get up in the house when I personally met with a crushing commandment. "Thou shalt not take any half-decent camera into the event." Not the exact words of the bouncer but it was along those lines. It would have to be left with our bags. "Awe schucks!"
Shake it off! There will be official photographers with better cameras and angles so I'll commandeer theirs (credit to little shao). Waiting for battle to commence, the crowd forming the battleground, and DJ Lean Rock banging out classic after classic, the B-Boys in the audience could take to the circle and have a cypher of their own. A couple brave bodies hit the empty circle and pretty soon it was going off. Regardless of your skill level, you were guaranteed a degree of respect just for putting yourself in and having a go. This being another beauty of Breaking.
Now. Keep up because this could get complicated. The event was to be made up of three rounds of battles. Four battles per round. Followed by two semi-finals and a final. Each individual battle consists of three rounds, or 'turns', for the two B-Boys. Each battle is judged on a per round basis. I.e. Best of three wins the battle. And these turns can last as long as you like. Or as long as you have the energy to carry on for.
You have to bear in mind though that neither the judges nor the crowd will appreciate repetition of moves. So it's a game of knowing how hard to go in order to beat your opponent, whilst not wearing out your move list. The further you intend on going in the event, the larger repertoire you will need.
And all of this has to be done to a beat created by DJ Lean Rock. He's the man with the music for these high profiled Breaking events. If you don't dance to the beat you won't win. But if you hit a big move right at the point when the beat drops, you'll set the crowd a-light and are going to reap the rewards from the judges.
Before long though it was time. Time to watch the masters. Watching also was an expert judging panel; Storm, Niek, Lamine, Renegade and Darius' favourite, Roxrite.
First battle of the night saw the 2014 Red Bull BC One Champion, Menno from the Netherlands face off against Kleju out of Poland. From then on it was ON. A master class in body control. 8 unique blends of quickness, intricate technique and power, all performed to a variety of the freshest beats out of Lean Rock's kitchen.
We quickly concluded that these cats must plug themselves into the national grid before events such as this. The rawest energy, radiated out into us, the crowd, with frequent eruptions and shakes at a new or signature move. The battle element only gives more to the atmosphere. One on one. They take on the intensity of a championship boxing bout (or at least how I imagine one to be).
Despite being largely unknowing of the Breaking scene, I had absolutely no trouble enjoying it and involving myself in the event. Talk about a feast for the eyes. This was an all you can eat buffet. And all for around 20 beans per ticket.
As the battles went on, my allegiance was with Lilou. French Algerian. Super slim with Sonic the Hedgehog speed. His style is highly distinguishable, even if you have no clue about the art. The most absurd flexibility with threading techniques which boggle the mind. Seeing is believing, but sometimes you'd like to see a couple action replays to be sure. This is most definitely the case with Lilou.
Hit up some Lilou on YouTube and you'll find out that its possible to play air guitar with your foot and how to play jump rope with just your hand and your foot.
By this stage our exhaustion upon setting out on our journey had been annihilated and replaced with excitement..and then some! Lilou was in the final. His opponent? Menno. After an epic battle with the Russian, Alkolil, Menno had made it to another final following his success at the Red Bull BC One just a few weeks back.
Let the wait for their entrances begin. DJ Lean Rock pumping out Kanye's, Jesus Walks, for all the hip-hop heads. Heads were bobbing in unison like something out of 8 Mile. The time had arrived. Lean Rock kicks out the start of Ante Up by M.O.P but holds it for an extra couple of seconds as it builds, then let's it go for Lilou's entrance. "OHHH!!!"
Menno soon follows. As if more intrigue was required, we would not see how the judges scored each round until the end of all 3, when the winner would be announced. At this stage I'm writhing with frustration. There are simply no words to properly communicate what the final was like. It has to be seen. Needless to say at the end of each round many among the crowd could be seen to raise a clenched fist to their mouth and exhale, as if they were blowing into an imaginary microphone.
It was close. Electrifying in the extreme. The crowd letting out yells of "OHHH!!", in the same way as M.O.P had been, coming out of the speakers in the previous couple of minutes. Both Menno and Lilou, liberated by the lack of a need to hold any moves back. This was the time to go all in, and put in the best rounds of the night. And they really did. Wipe your eyes between rounds and don't blink when that new beat begins because you might just miss it.
Final over. Again we waited for the results. Shouts of support for both Menno & Lilou. Until the host answered everyone's question. Lilouuuu!
Well deserved. Later we would discover that Menno won round one, and Lilou took rounds two and three. A close call. But well earned victory. These are memorable guys and to have been within just 2-3 metres of them, and to see them perform was experience far more valuable than the £20 we had paid. Show me a better way to spend a Sunday evening and I'll be beyond impressed.
Heading out of the O2 we were greeted with rain. Fantastic. Fortunately we now had more than enough energy to get our run on and make it back to Islington tube station. Faster than we had done it the first time around I might add.
And with 40 minutes to kill on my 4th visit to Kings Cross of the weekend, we caught a couple shots, and rode the escalators to the upper viewing level. Both of us, pleased to see that D's Son of Mars were still in remarkably clean condition considering the weather conditions they had just braved.
Official recap video: http://youtu.be/vUQl9zIT-4E
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