Soul Banditz
We’ve been hit by dance reality television shows - So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars and the latest super hit, America’s Best Dance Crew. While SYTYCD Canada just premiered a few weeks ago, Canada still has amazing dance crews that the world has yet to see. Toronto Styles is proud to showcase Soul Banditz, a break dancing crew that stays true to themselves and their art. Watch out for these bad boys and girl[!] around the nation because they’re just getting started.
1. So who is a part of the Soul Banditz Crew [SBC]?
The Soul Banditz Crew was originally founded by Takashi Kuno, a veteran of the bboy culture and Phil Nguyen, a young bboy in search of benefiting the Mississauga community. The rest of the Soul Banditz Crew consists of Daniel King-Ming Chan, a battle drawn spartan reincarnated into a dedicated bboy. There’s the one and only, funky lady, Melissa Coria! An ample environmentalist, she loves to hug trees but loves to hog the floor even more. Also on the “flip” side, Gian Fonseca, an explosive dancer with more energy and rhythm than the Energizer Bunny. Besides bboying, SBC has up-and-coming popper, Ken Justo, who has more interesting funk styles than his hair! SBC also has a secret weapon, using only music, Adam Saki our Professional DJ. Lastly, the “baby” of the family, is Bryan Tran. Bryan pulls his weight just as hard as anyone in the crew and aspires to lead the next generation of the Soul Banditz Family.
Soul Banditz Promo Video
2. Can I be a member? I can be CoCo Toxic.
Bryan: The Soul Banditz Crew is more than a group of people who love art, dance and music; it’s a family that aims to strengthen every individual and bring the community closer together. You don’t have to be a dancer to be a Bandit! Being a Bandit is being able to have a connection with others, doing what you love and bringing out the best in others. If a positive friendship is what you want from us, none of us have any objections. Oh, and by the way, CoCo Toxic is a sweet and dangerous name!
3. What’s the meaning behind your crew name and how did you all come to be Soul Banditz?
Bryan: In our crew, SOUL is an acronym for “Society of United Love”, since our souls are what enable us to become that. It is our love for the music which bridges our souls to the music, and if we all become one with the music, then we are one. Bandits are thought of negatively in our human history since they have made their own rules and did what they could to attain what they believed they needed to continue living. What we, the Soul Bandtiz need, is the experience of our love for the music and the reasons why we dance, to become united. We strive to maintain the SOUL.
The Bandtiz family began in Winter 2007 with two brotherly friends, Takashi (whom is part of an experienced and well respected underground bboy crew, Ground illusionz) and Phil, whom previously was in a crew with Daniel called Effsixx (which dispanded due to differences in dedication). The three would often practice their craft wherever they could, but it was at the Burnhamthorpe community centre (in Mississauga), where they befriended Melissa Coria and Ken Justo. Friendship solidified quickly amongst them, and the idea of becoming a crew had sparked in their minds. Then one day, at a bboy event called Steel City Cyphurs 4, another set of brothers: Gian and Bryan had decided to enter a competition but were one man short. Phil came to their aid and for the first time, they battled together. It was after they battled together that the seven banditz began training together and helping each other to become the best they can be.
4.From my unexpertise perspective, every crew has some sort of trademark – moves, dress codes, etc, what are the Soul Banditz elements that separates you from the others?
Phil: We rep our Bandanas which are all custom made by Aviditary, which is owned by Ken Justo and his partner Vic So. Aside from our hip gear, we are known for our vibe as a crew, either when we battle or in public. We always have fun in everything we do, but at the same time when push comes to shove we rep hard and battle hard. As a new bboy crew, we bring confidence to battles even if we are facing people whom been dancing longer than we have.
5. What about your own hand signs? Show me!
Bryan: Well, our handshake involves more than two people. At least three people, take their right hands and the tips of their middle finger touches the other tips of their middle fingers. Then the hands collapse inwards. Once united, hands travel outwards and everyone does one simultaneous “props” which ends in the hands opening up, or “exploding”. Sound Effects are optional haha
6. What competitions/events have you guys participated in and how did you guys do?
Phil: The crew was formed when myself and Takashi we had entered a battle at OCAD. At first we intended to just come and watch, but when we found out tickets were cheaper if we entered, we figured why not? We made it to quarter finals that night, and from there on we knew to ourselves that we had to form a crew together.
Accomplishments:
1. Funk for your feet – Ken Justo made it to the quarter finals, one of 16 out of 46 entered and battled some of the best poppers in Canada (two of which made it through So you Think You Can Dance Canada, congratz to Myles for making it in top 20)
2. Rivergrove 1on1 – Bryan was declared a finalist and won second place
3. Youth Waves – We got a chance to dance with Melissa R from the pussy cat dolls TV show
Other tournaments include:
1. Steel city cypurs
2. Fit for F.A.M.E (we got to walk hawt models down the aisle =P )
3. 2008 F.A.M anniversary
7. If auditions for Canada’s Best Dance Crew were next week, would I see you guys there?
Phil: Next week is going to be a cold week, streets and lineups are going too cold to endure. Well I guess that means WE GOTTA WARM IT UPPPPP!! Yeah, we are going to be there.
8. Do you have any favourite crews/people out there that bring you inspiration – who are they?
Phil: Well being a Mississauga crew, there was only one option, one place to go to practice, or learn B-boyin, and that was at Burnhamthorpe community centre home of one of the best bboy crews in Canada REPRESENT; Ground Illusionz. Ground illusionz has been there for us our whole bboy life, helping us train, and giving us a place to come together in with the community.
Last but not least Super Naturals crew for just being dope (especially Jazzy Jester for making top 20 So You Think You Can Dance Canada)
9. What’s it like meeting fellow breakers who share the same passion as you do? Is there an inner competitive monster that’s waiting to be released?
Phil: As a Soul Banditz we have a lot of respect towards other underground B-boys and B-girls. In a way we are share the same love for music and because of that we are a family, a community. It might not seem like that when we battle, sometimes battles may get out of hand, but in the end of it we all shake hands, and give each other respect.
10. Now this question is for the lady of the crew, what’s it like being a B-girl in a male dominated dance style? Any advice for all the B-girl out there that wants to be a B-girl but feel intimated to do so?
Melissa: Breaking in general is an art form. B-girling and B-boying to me is simply a verb to a noun. Personally, as a B-girl, breaking makes me feel equal to the guys. When I’m with my boys (yes, MY boys) I feel as if I’m one of the guys. With breaking there are no limitations, you can do whatever you want if you work hard and practice to it. I find it liberating being able to do things that the guys can do as well. Because breaking is such a male dominant scene it makes me feel powerful that I can do what they can do. B-Boys are definitely supportive as well, breaking is such an underground art form that its great to see anyone taking the initiative to learn and go against modern pop culture, getting educated and making it their own thing. For all the B-girls intimidated to B-girl, I’d like to say that being a woman is nothing to be shy or ashamed of. Being a female makes you unique and different; we should be using the difference of our bodies and capabilities as an advantage to your style and flavor. The funny thing is, there are some complex moves that are easier for women because of our flexibility…oh and because we’re soooo beautiful too!
11. A part from breaking, do you guys do anything else together? Like mixing, writing songs, designing gear, etc.
Phil: aside from B-boyin we have Ken Justo making bandanas for his clothing line Aviditary, and Adam Making sounds in his studio. Gian’s always B-boying at work while he makes martini’s as a bartender. Bryan, Melissa and I are in school sneaking out of class whenever we can to B-boy, B-girl in the washrooms, and once in awhile as a crew we would hit up a club and dance the night away.
12. I was at The Clothing Show and saw the Cinqo brand and immediately remembered that Soul Banditz had a picture with the label. What’s the connection between Soul Banditz and Cinqo?
Phil: When we got the show for Youth Waves, we had a problem with uniforms, we didn’t have enough funds to get custom made jackets and shirts. It was at a party that I met Mariflor Founder of Cinqo. I had told her our situation and right away she was awesome enough to support us when we were in need of uniforms for Youth Waves, without them we wouldn’t have the flashy awesome jackets that we do. Thank you, Cinqo girls for making it possible for us!
13. Where can the readers find more information about Soul Banditz?
F to the A – C – E BOOK!! Ahha join our facebook group!!!
14. Anything else you guys want to say?
Phil: I like long walks on the beach and candle lit dinners, and fierce linoleum battles!
Takashi: single girls call me at 1-800-SOL-BNDT
Gian: taken girls call me at 1-888-SOL-BNDT
Bryan: There is nothing I love more than bboying…except cheesecake. Mhmm…I’m a happy fatty
Melissa: real mature boys…mature
Ken: (silent)
Dan: my biggest muscle isn’t my arm *wink*
Tags: feature of the month
October 4, 2008 12:09 pm 9 Comments
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By azn_hottie, October 4, 2008 @ 1:54 pm
omg you guys are the greatest!!! omg that guy on his cellphone in the last pic is soooo hot!!
By Frost, October 4, 2008 @ 6:50 pm
sauga represent
Frost
Ground Illusionz
By OriginalConscience, October 5, 2008 @ 3:13 pm
The kid above the guy the cellphone is too cute! xD
By OriginalConscience, October 5, 2008 @ 3:14 pm
*the guy with
xS
By unknownhottie, October 7, 2008 @ 10:30 am
omg!!! you guys are so sexy! but i’d like to know where that other hot chikka (next to mflo) is?! pshh
By sayuri, October 7, 2008 @ 10:31 am
WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH i’m so effin proud of you guys!!!!
so glad that i got to experience the times before the performance with you guys!!!
keep it fresh hommies! love you all!!
damn straight isa!! we are beautifulll women! hahah
<3
+ sayuri
+ tiny tin
+ tt =P
By evelynne, October 19, 2008 @ 4:52 pm
hard work pays off!
im so happy for you guys (even though i havnt met most of you lol)
keep it going
By R2GAMO PRODUCTIONS, October 28, 2008 @ 2:54 pm
I love the web page Kuno!!
YOU GUYS ARE SICK!!!
Sauga Represent Baby!!
GOODLUCK!!!
By ndttll, November 12, 2008 @ 12:45 am
Good, keep going boyz and girl…
we always supporting you people…
I’m proud that you persuade your dream…
ciao,
by the way, what’s Up cousin Phil..
Montreal