Feel the beat
Clash of the Kingz dance competition returns for its third edition.
SHOW off your b-boying skills at the annual Clash of the Kingz dance competition, back for the third time this year.
This b-boy dance competition, presented by Magnum and organised by Mega Ultimate, will make its audition rounds in seven states in the country – starting with Sarawak next month, before moving on to Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Johor Baru and Selangor.
Winners selected at the audition in each state will compete in the grand finale scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur in June.
A grand total of RM25,000 in cash and prizes are up for grabs.
“We are in a position to provide this platform for young people, to give them an opportunity to grow and learn. That’s what this programme is all about,” says Suzanne Soo, Magnum 4D Bhd Marketing senior manager, of the dance competition.
The competition is divided into two categories: the B-Boy Battle 2 on 2 (where a crew of two members battle against each other), and Street Dance Showcase (made up of three to seven members who battle in freestyle dance).
For two years running, Naughty Kidz – made up of duo Khenobu and Legosam – was selected as the B-Boy Battle 2 on 2 champion.
This year, however, they will not be competing as they are returning as judges of the state tournaments alongside Elaine Chiam of Project Elementz.
With almost 15 years of b-boying experience between them, Khenobu and Legosam, who are 21 and 20 years old, respectively, talk about b-boying as a “lifestyle” more than a dance genre.
As to what they are searching for in this competition, Khenobu says, “Simple ... we are looking for something like us. We look at the way you battle, the way you present yourself, the way you convey your message to your competitor, and the attitude and ‘feeling’ of the battle.”
He won his first b-boy dance competition at the age of 15, which spurred him to work harder at honing his craft.
“B-boying started out as a hobby for me. But now it has become a career,” says Khenobu.
As for Legosam, his foray into the world of dance was inspired by a Taiwanese pop rock band dance video he saw, after which he asked his mother to send him to dance classes.
“My parents were not very keen on me dancing at first because I always came home with bruises all over!” he relates.
“But after a few years, when they saw how serious I am about this, and how well I’m doing, they finally relented and gave me their full support,” he adds.
Ever practical, he comments that the b-boy path is no easy one, but it is one that comes with great rewards if you stick with it.
“You need perseverance to be the best. So work hard, keep on training, don’t give up. And above all, don’t forget to have fun with what you do,” he concludes.
Interested in auditioning for Clash of the Kingz? Register at megaultimate.com.my. Auditions will be held in Kuching (April 11 and 12), Penang (April 18 and 19), Negeri Sembilan (April 25 and 26), Kuala Lumpur (May 2 and 3), Malacca (May 9 and 10), Johor Baru (May 16 and 17), Selangor (May 23 and 24). The grand finale will be held in Kuala Lumpur on June 13 at 7pm. For more information, call 03-9101 5857 / 03-9101 7223 or visit www.facebook.com/ megaultimate.