Saturday, April 14, 2012

Video: Koopa - "Levels"

While this season of ABDC is filled with some of the most amazing talent the dance world has to offer, there's still many other talented dancers doing their thing away from the ABDC stage. Here at BBDC, we're lucky enough to have one of them right here in our own backyard. Here is our very own mod/contributor Koopa's choreography to Levels by Avicii(Skrillex Remix). Raw Elementz ABDC 8?

Stepboys "SBractice Ep. 1"

If nothing else Stepboys are really putting themselves out there to get closer to their fans. In this video it shows what they did in their downtime between rehearsals and them hanging out with the other crews. Highlights include the Easter Egg hunt done for the younger members of 8 Flavahz and the sexy singing voices of Mix'd Elements.

Byenyn's Recap of ABDC's Season 7 Britney Week

It’s 2012, and ABDC is back for a seventh season! My name is Byeynyn and I’m going to be another recapper of this season’s episodes, yapping about the dances, the crews, the judges, and pretty much anything else I find interesting.

It feels like a lot has happened in the dance world since IaMmE took the title last season. Hip Hop International (HHI) had their gold medals nearly swept by New Zealand, helmed by ReQuest Crew, whom a few people remember as “Hey, didn’t they get 7th?” Dance Hero Japan went through two seasons of their own dance competition, which also had some amazing performances.  And a dance to a dubstep version of “Pumped Up Kicks” was one of the most popular things on YouTube. What a year.


So what’s going to happen this season? The ten crews will perform in halves, and the unsaved crew from each half will be in the Bottom Two, at risk for elimination. This episode, in honor of the “Return of the Superstars” theme, is all about Britney Spears, whose music is now filthier and more synthesized than ever.

Click here to read the rest of Byenyn's recap. Thanks Byenyn!

Playlist for ABDC Flo Rida Week + DanceOn's crew interviews

DanceOn has brief interviews with the five crews that will perform on America's Best Dance Crew Season 7's Flo Rida week -- Mos Wanted Crew, RNG, Elektrolytes, Funkdation, and Collizion Crew. And, they have the playlist for the episode: 

Collizion Crew - "Low"
Rated Next Generation (RNG Crew) - "Right Round"
Funkdation - "Good Feeling"
Elektrolytes - "Club Can't Handle Me"
Mos Wanted Crew - "In the Ayer"

Video: Interview with ABDC judges about expectations for the new season

AOL interviewed America's Best Dance Crew judges Lil Mama, JC Chasez, and D-trix backstage at the ABDC tapings. The judges they talk about what they're looking for in the crews and their favorite moments on the show. Click here to watch.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Video: Help StepBoys pick their next ABDC moves - Mailman or Centaur?

Step Boys, who just performed this last Wednesday, seems to be doing an ABDC first, in allowing their fans to help them shape their routines next week. They're offering two moves they are thinking about incorporating into their routines, and letting viewers pick which ones they want to see. So which one do you want to see?

Ninjaboi's Week 1 Review


Greetings BBDC! Season 7 has been kicked off, and as ever, I’m here again to cover the show.  Again, if you missed my pre-season analysis last week, I’m Ninjaboi, one of the contributors/moderators of the site. I may not be a professional dancer (even if I do dance), but I like numbers, so over the past three seasons or so, I’ve come up with a more quantitative judging system than what our lovely judges give us on screen. Please note that this review is my PERESONAL opinion of the episode, with some informal polling of dancer friends to supplement it. This is NOT the official BBDC opinion of each crew, merely a single drop of an opinion in the sea that is the Internet.

More recaps and ABDC7 mentions -- even Perez Hilton is watching!

- Perez Hilton calls Irratik's performance in the Britney Spears challenge "Ferosh", adding "These girls can effing MOVE, right?! A routine that would make Brit Brit proud, hands down!"
- Daily Princetonian analyzes and summarizes each performance using the performance clips to explain her judgement and opinions. She didn't get to watch the show live, so she uses BloggingABDC's play-by-play comments to set the order. Any time, Christine!
- Screen Invasion (which used to be called Too Interesting for Twitter) mostly summarizes the action, and didn't think that Mix'd Elements deserved to be put in danger of elimination
- Spoil the Ending doesn't want Fanny Pak to cry again, and thought Stepboys were more memorable than the other competitors

Video: Week 2 of D-trix's Dance Showdown

In Week 2, the final six YouTube stars (out of 12) meet their professional dance choreographer and learn and rehearse their dance routines for an upcoming dance battle. Contestants include: Adam Montoya (SeaNanners), Matt Woodworth (WoodysGamerTag), Lana McKissack, Elle Walker (WhatsUpElle), Jarmaine (JLovesMac1), and Marina Orlova (HotForWords). On DanceOn Youtube.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Exclusive interview with Elektrolytes before ABDC's Flo Rida taping: transitioning from stage to TV!

Chris Trondsen and IaMmE's Phillip 'Pacman' Chbeeb interviewed Elektrolytes before their performance on America's Best Dance Crew Season 7's Flo Rida Week. They talk about trying to bring their Hip Hop International intensity to ABDC, the difference between handling stage vs. TV, and how they hope their tricks, intensity and choreo will impress the fans.

Exclusive interview with Mos Wanted Crew before ABDC's Flo Rida week - their ABDC strategy!

Chris Trondsen and IaMmE's Phillip 'Pacman' Chbeeb interviewed Mos Wanted Crew before their performance on America's Best Dance Crew Season 7's Flo Rida Week. The members introduce themselves. They then talk about the pressure based on the hype about the crew before ABDC, how they'll blend all the different styles and talents, bringing Ian Eastwood into the group,their strategy for using Youtube  fanbases to get votes, and their dedication to the world dance community.

Exclusive interview with RNG before ABDC's Flo Rida Week taping: "We can go hard like the adults!"

Chris Trondsen and IaMmE's Phillip 'Pacman' Chbeeb interviewed RNG (Rated Next Generation) before their performance on America's Best Dance Crew Season 7's Flo Rida Week. The crew members introduce themselves and talk about being the youngest crew this season, how they are competing against some of their teachers, how their clean precision will appeal to fans, and how Bailey feels being on a crew with so many girls.

Brian Puspos | Can U Handle It & ABDC Announcement with Mos Wanted Crew

Apparently being in the ABDC hotels with slow wifi ("over 100 minutes to upload"), doesn't stop Brian Puspos from putting out a piece from the Movement Lifestyle Tour, specifically the piece he taught in his hometown, Houston. There's a bit of an announcement at the end of the video from the hotel, where he and the rest of Mos Wanted confirm that they will be on the April 18th episode.

ABDC7 Britney Week Recaps - Round 1

- Huffington Post has a short recap mostly focused on the sadness in D-Trix's pants
- Ology doesn't sound thrilled about anyone (highest grade is a B+) but thinks Lil Mama could have been a lot worse 
- AV Club goes into the psychology/sociology as"  the only show left on MTV that really has anything to say about how pop music is interpreted by its target demo". And they liked the group dance a lot.

Leave a comment if you know of other recappers for the show.

Pre-taping videos for next week's crews from PacRim

Pacific Rim just posted interviews with next week's crews done before the taping. (We'll have our interviews up soon). So if you want to size up the rest of the ABDC7 playing field, click to watch Elektrolytes, Mos Wanted Crew, RNG, and Funkdation. Here's Collizion Crew:

Video: VMAs -The first time 8 Flavahz members danced in Britney Tribute

Several readers have pointed out that this is the second time that some members of 8 Flavahz have danced professionally in a tribute to Britney Spears. Three of the California members of the crew (Charlize, Angel, and Kaelynn) were part of the Britney tribute at this years MTV Video Music Awards, along with IaMmE's Chachi. Thanks for the link, Aly3344!

What was your favorite performance in ABDC7's Britney Week?


What was your least favorite performance during ABDC7's Britney week?


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Vote now and save your favorite crews from ABDC's Britney Challenge

The online voting is now open from now until 6:00am Eastern time. If you want to protect your favorite crew, act now! Click here to vote . Performance videos will probably be online after 11:00pm West Coast time, to aid in your choices. If you want to phone or text instead, the numbers are: Phone: 1-855-4CREW + (0 +number): OR Text: 22444 then (number):
* Fanny Pak  - 1 (so you would dial 855-4CREW01)
* 8 Flavahz -  2 (so you would dial 855-4CREW02)
* Irratik - 3 (so you would dial 855-4CREW03)
* Stepboys - 4 ((so you would dial 855-4CREW04)

After you vote, join us back at the party room!  There's a lot to talk about.
VOTING IS NOW CLOSED 

The party room is now open! Come in!

The Party Room/Critics Corner for ABDC 7's Premiere -- the Britney Spears Challenge is now open! Join lots of other readers, fans (or not) as they vent on what they love and what they hate. IMPORTANT: If you want to write a long comment, write in in NotePad or Word and then paste it into the comments field. Otherwise, all your work may disappear if someone posts something new while you're in the middle of writing. ALSO IMPORTANT: NO SPOILERS on the episode that airs next week; we know it already taped, but if spoilers are posted here, we could lose our MTV press privileges.

After the show is over: The party has just started, so stick around for more action, reaction, and interaction. Will this be the best season EVER? Do you miss the Live Audition shows? how did this compare to the last time ABDC crews 'did' Britney?  Did the crews live up to their pre-show reputations? This is your party -- snark, humor, recriminations, nostalgia and almost everything else (except obscenity and abject disrespect) are expected and welcome!

ABDC7 Britney Spears Week Play-by-Play is now open -- join us!

Del, TBone, Ninjaboi and Nancy will be co-hosts of this live play-by-play of America's Best Dance Crew Season 7's opener -- the Britney Spears Challenge. Feel free to follow along (particularly if you cannot watch it until later). Please be aware that your comments might not be posted immediately (or at all) as we have to moderate them, watch the show, and type at the same time.If you want to leave longer comments and be sure they're used, go to the Party Room (the post above this one).

Site Policy Review

Hi guys, Ninjaboi here.

So ABDC 7 is finally upon us tonight, and hopefully we're in for a good one. However, since all the crews this season are so talented, and everyone has their own personal opinions as to who should have gone home, who shouldn't have and so on. Before you comment, the other moderators and I STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you read the commenting policy linked at the top of the page in yellow. It's not that long, and for the most part uses what we think is common sense. However, they're important for facilitating productive, open conversation and discussion about this show. If an abuse of the commenting system occurs, we're going to have a three strikes policy, with warnings being given for bad behavior before pulling out the banhammer (which believe us, we'd rather not do). 

So for a quick recap real quickly
-Spamming: There's no point in beating a dead horse. If you've made your point once, then there's no need to paste it everywhere. Doing so only makes people less likely to believe you. Unless you have new information to bring to the table, think twice before posting it. And keep it relevant. If you want to discuss something new, put a new comment, don't hop on a thread about a certain topic unless it's related. And putting the same post under a different name counts (see next point)
-Aliases: The way our comment system works, people can change the name they comment under, or have no name at all. While we do allow you freedom in naming yourself (within reason...), if you're going to change your name, it should be clear that it's pretty much the same person. Trying to manage multiple personalities isn't accepted, since A) the moderators can see if you're using the same IP address and we will call you out for it, and B) trying to carry a conversation with yourself is borderline spamming. Keep the names clean, and keep them consistent
-Ad Hominem Attacks - We want you to share your opinions, even if they differ from our own. What we don't want to have you share are hurtful opinions of either crews on the show (it's happened...) or moderators/other commenters on the site. We will ban people for hurling names and insults at each other. Respect others if you want respect.
-Common Courtesy - Sort of related to above, but again, keep things clean, keep them fair, and if possible, keep it constructive. Crews do read this site, so if you want something to improve, give it in a constructive, rather than a destructive manner. 
-Spoilers - This relates mostly to postings on the nights/mornings just after they have tapings, but please please please keep spoilers (eliminations, bottom 2s, etc) off this site. If anything (even fake spoilers) are traced back to us, we could lose our backstage access. And posting emails/twitters asking for spoilers is likely to garner you spam of some sort from the more trollish of commenters. You have been warned. 
-Keep it Readable - Not necessarily a RULE per se, but more of a STRONG RECOMMENDATION. Well written, concise grammatically correct, properly spelled comments are must more likely to be read/believed than long, drawn out, barely understandable text. For the sake of having people understand you, run it through spellcheck at least before you post it. 

These rules also apply to moderators, so feel free to email Nancy at bloggingbestdancecrew@gmail.com if you think one of us have violated these policies. A full policy list can be found here


Let's try to keep things classy this season (not that we haven't in the past). Here's to an awesome ABDC season, and to the BBDC with the great community that I know can happen.


Peace, Love, Dance

-Ninjaboi

Get to know Irratik

8CountDance just released a video that hopes will help you get to know the ladies of Irratik a bit better. Clips from their demo reel are sprinkled in with individual segments that shine a bit of light on each member's personality.

Exclusive interview: Phillip (IaMmE) talks about returning to ABDC, Step Up Revolution & IaMmE plans

Phillip 'Pacman' Chbeeb interviewed crews backstage at America's Best Dance Crew Season 7's first tapings. Phillip talks to Chris Trondsen about what it's like to be back at the ABDC stage, what the crews are going through pre-taping, what it was like to film Step Up Revolution, and IaMmE's upcoming videos and shows.

Freeze's Review of World of Dance!

BABDC reader Freeze attended World of Dance LA this last week and has given us a write-up! Thanks Freeze!

Whats up BloggingBestDanceCrew! Its Freeze here back with another recap of World of Dance which took a stop at the Los Angeles Convention center this time around. Lemme say this, hands down the BIGGEST(Over 15,000 people showed up),BEST,and most expensive (MWC gear made me broke haha) World of Dance I’ve been too and I’ve been to every one in SoCal since 2010! 12 hours of being surrounded by nothing by good friends, sick merchandise, and amazing dancing was well worth the exhaustion.

Click here for the rest of his write-up, as well as pictures of the event!

Video: D-trix and JC Chasez - "The future is this Season 7"

MTV posted short interviews with America's Best Dance Crew judges D-trix and JC Chasez on their hopes for Season 7. It also shows dance footage for Collizion, RNG, Funkdation, and Elektrolytes. 

Get More: Music News

Join us tonight for ABDC7 Live Play-by-Play and Party Room!

Thank God it's Wednesday! Watch America's Best Dance Crew Season 7 Premiere with us tonight! The Party Room/Critics Corner opens at 9:45 ET and stays open as long as you want, so that everyone can comment on anything remotely related to ABDC. What did you think of the first five crews? Do you like the 'superstar' format enough to see it return? Is ABDC still fresh for you? 

At 10pm ET, I will be doing live play-by-play while watching the show along with Del, Mike, TBone, and maybe others so feel free to tune in and make fun of me or get a sneak preview of the action (for those of you from the West Coast or other ABDC-deprived zones). Afterwards, we'll have all the info on how to vote for tonight's favorites. Tomorrow morning, please vote in our polls on the best and worst performances. Plus we hope to have recaps, more videos and more coverage.   Join us!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Britney playlist for ABDC7 - who dances to what!

According to this interview from DanceOn, The line-up of Britney song's for tomorrow's ABDC7 Episode 1 is:
Group Number: "I Wanna Go"
8Flavahs- '3'
FannyPak- 'Womanizer'
Mix'd Elements: 'Til The World Ends'
Irratik: 'Hold it Against Me'
Stepboys: 'If you Seek Amy'

Video: Excerpt of ABDC group performance for Britney Night + playlist!!

Hollywood Reporter has a clip of the opening number for America's Best Dance Crew's new season. In it, the five crews competing that night dance to Britney Spears' music. The crews: Fanny Pak, Step Boys, Irratik, Mix'd Elements, and 8 Flavahz. The playlist includes:“I Wanna Go,” “3,” “Till The World Ends,” “Hold It Against Me,” “If You Seek  Amy” and “Womanizer.”  Can't wait! Thanks for the tip, grOOvealOOse and illGetaNameLater!

Interview with ABDC producers Howard & Karen Schwartz - expect surprises & high energy in Season 7!

Chris Trondsen interviews America's Best Dance Crew Executive Producers Howard and Karen Schwartz before the taping of ABDC7's premiere episode. Howard and Karen talk about the higher energy in this season due to the incredible level of talent and diversity, how they work to keep an element of surprise each season, the decision to bring back Fanny Pak, the superstars, and plans for 2012 Hip Hop International.

Video: Fanny Pak - "Be Different. Be You. Join the Pak"

Fanny Pak has a short video introducing each of the members. It's a great tool for people new to the group or who want to catch up on the characters. Looking forward to seeing them perform on tomorrow's show!. On FannyPakTV Youtube.

Video: Poreotics at World of Dance LA

One more video from World of Dance LA:  Poreotics' performance.  Thanks for the tip, Greg!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Step Boys at ABDC Episode 1: intros, stunts, Dtrix, and secret moves!

Chris Trondsen and IaMmE's Phillip 'Pacman" Chbeeb interviewed Stepboys before the taping of America's Best Dance Crew Season 7 Episode 1. The crew members introduce themselves and give their nicknames, and talk about where 'their minds are' and their nervousness, how they will up the ante on stunts (nudity as a secret weapon?), talk about their rehearsals, their relationship with Dtrix. And, they sing, perspire, and show Greg's secret move!

Fanny Pak at ABDC Episode 1: member changes, Britney Spears expertise + Matt lipsynchs!

Chris Trondsen and IaMmE's Phillip 'Pacman" Chbeeb interviewed Fanny Pak before the taping of America's Best Dance Crew Season 7 Episode 1. The members introduce themselves, talk about their excitement at returning to ABDC, their gameplan of storytelling/dancing/humor for their appearances, what's happened to the FP members who aren't returning to the show, their background with Britney (this week's superstar), and Matt demonstrates his lipsynching skills.

Mix'd Elements at ABDC Episode 1: intros + tutting battle with Pacman!

Chris Trondsen and IaMmE's Phillip 'Pacman' Chbeeb interview Mix'd Elements before the taping of America's Best Dance Crew Season 7 Episode 1. The members introduce themselves and talk about the different elements they bring to dance, the role of their suspenders as a prop, how they got together, and how they think ABDC will change them. And, they have a popping battle against Pacman. Who won?

Video: 8 Flavahz at ABDC7's Episode 1 taping - introductions, joking, singing & picking up Pacman!

Chris Trondsen and IaMme's Phillip 'Pacman' Chbeeb talked to 8 Flavahz Crew before the taping of America's Best Dance Crew Season 7 Episode 1. The girls introduce themselves and give their 'flavors', talk about fan support and their love for ICONic Boyz, how long they've been dancing, where they perform, their member split between Hawaii and California, and their love for the ABDC costumes. One of the girls physically picks up Pacman and the girls sing their song for the episode - Britney Spears' '3"!

Videos: More WOD LA performances: GRV, AOV, Beta 010,Chachi

World of Dance posted highlights from this weekend's WOD Los Angeles, including the three top competitors in the upper division, and exhibition dancers Chachi Gonzalez (from IaMmE), and Les Twins. Here's 1st place winner GRV. Click here to watch Academy of Villains, Beta 010, and Chachi.

Videos: We are Heroes and Outer Circle Crew compete at ElecTRONica

The last round of semi-finals at ElecTRONica in California Adventure Park was held this weekend. The competitors: We are Heroes (winners of America's Best Dance Crew Season 4) and Outer Circle Crew.  Video from Fantasmiceddie24 Youtube. Last week, Klaamation won the vote over Poreotics.Who do you think won this time?

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Video: World of Dance LA - Les Twins performance; congratulations GRV!

World of Dance LA was held April 7, 2012. Congratulations to the winners:
- Upper Division: 1st Place - GRV; 2nd Place - Academy of Villains; 3rd place: Beta 010
- Lower Division:  1st Place- 3-23 Kids; 2nd Place Emanon; 3rd Place - APT
We'll post videos of the winners and the exhibition performancers as high quality videos become available. In the meantime, here's Les Twins' performance, from amp7542 Youtube.

Ninjaboi's Pre-Season Analysis

Greetings ya’ll. It’s a new season of ABDC, and you know what that means. Blogging Best Dance Crew is in all systems go, and that means that Ninjaboi’s reviews are making a return. For those of you who don’t know me/what my reviews are, or you just want something to read while waiting for leaks from the first episode, keep on reading.

In case you couldn’t tell, I’m Ninjaboi, one of the moderators/admins here on BBDC. College student by day, I’m also a dancer. I won’t make any promises as to my skill level, but I have exposure to popping, breaking, locking, house, newstyle and krump, as well as traditional Filipino folk dance. I got my start dancing because I was encouraged by the community here on BBDC, so one of the ways I give back to the community is my reviews to encourage smart discussion of dance.

Whereas a lot of the reviews we see from the judges on ABDC are limited to only a couple of aspects of the routines, I try to give a more holistic, relatively objective review of each routine according to a rubric. It’s not perfect, but I still think it gives a good approximation on how each crew does each week. If you know of Bboy Dyzee’s OUR judging system, this is similar to that, in that each crew is judged in one of five different categories. To try and compensate for any biases I have for or against a certain crew, I add or subtract points to even out my biases.
UPDATE FROM NANCYT: There has been a lot of heated comment about of this post and about opinions of one commenter. I've modified the comments to reflect the original post of the person who disagreed, but deleted most of the subsequent debate, which was disrespectful and distracting from many sides.  From now on, please just focus on the dance here!!