Budiey
Popular Breakdance Competition Collaborates with Musical Percussion Group to Pioneer New Experience for Hip Hop Scene
Thunderous, awe-inspiring music can be heard as one drew close to the main concourse of e@Curve where Floor Combat 2012, Malaysia’s Biggest 3-on-3 B-Boy Competition was being held. With over 30 breakdance crews descending from around the ASEAN region for the annual competition, this year’s event was marked by one clear distinction, the incorporation of live drum music provided by renowned musical percussion group, YAWA (YAYASAN ANAK WARISAN ALAM) Eco Drum Circle.
Organised by e@Curve and youth marketing consultancy, Mypartners Communications and held for the 6th year in row since 2007, this year’s competition attracted BBoys and BGirls from Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei and Morocco. Prizes totaling more than USD 5,000 and the coveted titles of Best B-Boy crew, BBoy of the Year and BGirl of the Year in the region were up for contention. Floor Combat 2012 featured renowned international judges, namely BGirl, Shie Chan from Japan, BBoy Tino Rock from Korea and BBoy Puzzles from Canada.
En Azizul Hisham Ahmad, Centre Manager for e@Curve said, “e@Curve is proud to be part of this exciting event as we see so much talent and passion from all the contestants. We are happy to provide a platform for the youth to showcase their creative abilities in dance.”
The atmosphere was electrifying and visually stunning as over one hundred BBoys and BGirls took turns around the cypher to show off their slick “top rock” and “foot work” moves improvising to the groovy break beats synthesized by DJ ZLEXII from Thailand and YAWA Eco Drum Circle. YAWA Eco Drum Circle is a musical percussion group that incorporates everyday objects and recyclable materials such as pots, pans and bottles into their musical percussion performance.
Haji Adly bin Mohamed, CEO of Yayasan Anak Warisan Alam said, “Through YAWA Eco Drum Circle, we hope to promote environmental awareness among participants as well as to make participants actively take part in recycling efforts at home. Eco Drum Circle is a self-discovery and mind body wellness programme, where people gather to share a spontaneous recreational rhythmic experience. Just like BBoys’ circle known as a cypher, a drum circle is really a people circle.”
This year’s Floor Combat final crew battle was literally a replay of 2011’s where Cypherz Kingz and Giller Battle emerged as the top two crews vying for the top crew spot. However, the tables were turned when Cypherz Kingz was announced the winner for this year taking home the grand prize worth USD 2,000.00. Made up of BBoy Kid Inn (19), BBoy BRYAN (21)and BBoy Lego Sam (20), Cypherz Kingz shared, “We came together initially to join competitions a few years ago and we are now very fired up to play a role in helping unite BBoys of Malaysia and build a strong BBoy culture.”
Cypherz Kings is one of the few BBoy crews in the country that has been a strictly battle crew choosing not to take part in competitions requiring a showcase such as BOTY and R16 and instead focusing solely on the dance and developing their skills on an individual basis.
21 year old, BBoy Juicy from Giller Battle Crew took home the BBoy of the Year 2012 title beating veteran BBoy Mon from Floor Tactics Crew. Youth online portal, YUBERACTIVE.COM’s sponsored B-Girl Bea from The Phillipines took home the BGirl of the Year 2012 title. A big crowd favourite, the judges sang high praises of B-Girl Bea and initially even wanted to put her in the Top 16 BBoy solo category but decided against it as she would have to take part in too many categories.
BGirl Bea who has been break dancing for 9 years said, “Dancing is part of my identity, if I stop dancing, I stop being me. The BGirl culture in The Philippines is not great, so it is very hard to find another BGirl like me to challenge myself, so that is why I came to Malaysia.”
Floor Combat is co-organised by e@Curve Mutiara Damansara and Youth & Entertainment Marketing Consultancy, Mypartners Communications. Floor Combat is one of the many propriety event platforms that Mypartners Communications created in collaboration with youth communities since the youth marketing consultancy burst into the Malaysian youth landscape in 1996.
“Partnerships like this provide a sustainable means for youth interest groups to fuel their passion through support from leading brands and lifestyle and entertainment malls such as e@Curve. It is our way to connect leading brands with youth and making a difference in the process,” shares Patrick Wee, CEO of GROUP MAD of which Mypartners Communications is part of.
To find out more about how GROUP MAD and Mypartners work with companies who are interested to work with youth to make an impact, log on to www.allaboutmad.org. Brands who are interested to connect with the youth in effective and meaningful ways can also drop Mypartners a mail at [email protected].
About e@Curve
e@Curve is a wholly owned subsidiary of Boustead Holdings Berhad, a diversified conglomerate listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia. e@Curve is host to a selection of dining outlets, serving local delights and international dishes. Visitors will surely be spoilt for choice. For fun filled wholesome activities with friends and family, the latest movies are available to enjoy at the Cineplex or bowling at Pin Junction. The fun doesn’t end there; stop over at the games arcade or sing your heart out at Songbox Karaoke.With so many activities to do; e@Curve is absolutely the destination choice for all your leisure and shopping needs.
