Taken briefly off guard by a surprise announcement from the influential b-boy duo The Legendary Twins AKA Kevin and Keith Smith, Breakin’ Convention founder Jonzi D watches on as both read out the heartfelt statement inscribed on his award given by the New York State Assembly acknowledging his undeniable contribution to the movement of Hip Hop which celebrates 50 years this year. An advocate of Hip Hop culture here in the UK, Jonzi D has been crucial to bringing Hip Hop to our stages and training the thought leaders of tomorrow. Returning yet again with a weekend long celebration of the form, Breakin’ Convention transforms Sadler’s Wells into a forum to connect, share idea and platform new work.

Courtesy of Belinda Lawley.

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Set to stage the 20th edition of Breakin’ Convention, a weekend long celebration of Hip Hop, the event’s founder Jonzi D has led the way when it comes to platforming national/international/established/emerging talent – bridging the gap between artists and encouraging exchange. Taking place on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th April, the event will comprise of a compact programme of exciting dance acts, as well as activities across Sadler’s Wells building honouring Hip Hop’s core elements of breaking/graffiti/DJing/Mcing/Knowledge. Ahead of event, Jonzi D explains what the weekend will entail!

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A sub genre of Hip Hop originating from Chicago, Trap music has gone on to enjoy success on a mainstream level, the marker of success – the various interpretations of Trap across the globe, the UK bringing with it its own interpretation of the genre with Drill music. A means of expression for the underrepresented, the genre brings with it an honesty about the stark and harsh realities of life. Forming the inaugural season of his Artistic Directorship at newly established 180 Studios x Sadler’s Wells, director, choreographer and performer Ivan Michael Blackstock presents TRAPLORD, an exploration of trap culture.

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Rewind to 2004 and the likes of Kanye West, Terror Squad, and T.I were dominating the airwaves. A once disregarded musical form, hip hop was now at the pinnacle of global success; it’s  a crucial component of popular culture. Hip hop’s influence is no doubt evident within the fields of music and dance, however the movement continues to fuel multiple facets such as art and fashion. 2004 would also be the year that Jonzi D, a key figure in the movement of Hip Hop Theatre within the UK, would curate a weekend packed full of workshops and performances that 15 years later would still inspire many.

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Breakin’ Convention is the award-winning and critically acclaimed organisation that represents the origins and evolution of Hip Hop culture from around the world and around the corner. Working with the most respected, innovative and inspirational artists, Breakin’ Convention seek to position Hip Hop dance alongside more historically established art forms, through our world-renowned international festivals, professional development, youth projects and educational programme.

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What is meant by the term Hip Hop? I’m sure many will attribute the term to a style of music, and that in part would be correct. However, Hip Hop embodies so much more than that. Born in the late 70s in the Bronx, Hip Hop gripped the imaginations of many, spawning a culture that would initially begin underground, but would grip the world decades later. Consisting of 4 strands which are: B-boying, Dj-ing, Graffiti artistry and Mc-ing, the art form synonymous with the states has taken over the world, with Hip Hop references 2nd nature in many a music video!

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If you switch over to any of the numerous amount of music channels we find ourselves spoilt for choice with, what styles of dance are you most likely to see? Tutting? Whacking? Popping? Locking? Culturally we’ve shifted from the Jazz and balletic routines of the 60s, 70s and 80s and have embraced ‘street dance’ culture, an umbrella term for a range of dances inspired by the emergence of Hip Hop in the late 70s.

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An Alumni of the London Contemporary Dance School, Jonzi D had noticed that there was a niche in the dance market missing. There didn’t appear to be any training provided by dance schools, or many dance opportunities for Hip Hop performers. Fast forward to 2015, and Jonzi D has established the longest running Hip Hop theatrical event within the UK, having founded Breakin’ Convention 11 years ago this year! With Hip Hop artists flocking to be apart of the established event, the UKs dance future appears to be very bright. Ahead of this year’s Breakin’ Convention, which is set to take place on the May Bank Holiday weekend from Saturday 2nd to Sunday 3rd May, Theatrefullstop were able to speak to the Hip Hop theatre pioneer about the importance of events such as Breakin’ Convention, what he looks for in performers and gives advice to aspiring artists.

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