International Break Dance Championship ‘98

Incredible. If you thought break dancing was dead, not so. If you thought break dancing was primarily an African-American pastime, wrong again. This is a video record of the International Break Dance Championship, held at the Brixton Academy in London in 1998. Featured teams include Second 2 None (defending champs, U.K.), The Buffalo Gals (U.S.A.), Move From The Other Side (Germany), Spartanic Rockers (Japan), Under Attack (U.K.), Freestyle Phantix (Denmark) and Style Elements (U.S.A.). In the first half of the video we check out the team competitions, which present more-or-less organized team dancing. It's the second half of the video, however, that lights this fire--the battle for 3rd/4th place between Second 2 None and Move From The Other Side, and the battle for 1st/2nd place between Style Elements and Spartanic Rockers. Reminiscent of the freestyle challenges that marked early hip-hop break dancing, the battles showcase absolutely over-the-top dancing. This is quintessential B-Boy culture. It's also one of the best dance videos you'll ever see, with a great hip-hop soundtrack. Never a dull moment. Enthusiastically recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: J, H, P. (P. Van Vleck)