The YouTube and Spotify podcast sources, such as Andy Ha's "What's The Dillies?" and "HOPSKOTCHIN' IT," serve as vital platforms for the New Zealand street dance community, aiming to connect dancers, share behind-the-scenes insights, and offer knowledge for personal and dance journeys. These podcasts frequently emphasize core values like community, continuous learning, and authenticity, often providing weekly updates on events and news within the street dance scene.
* **Krump:** This style is often described as male-dominated, characterized by powerful energy and presence. It originated from clowning in South Central Los Angeles, serving as an outlet for self-expression and a positive alternative to gang involvement. Discussions highlight Krump's emphasis on character work, storytelling, and the importance of "fams" (crews). Notable figures in Krump include Boulevard (who spent nine years grinding to earn his name), XIII (Byrin Mita) (also known as Kidd Konkrete), and 12AF (Badass Street Beast).
* **Breaking (B-boying/B-girling):** Recognized as one of the five foundational elements of Hip Hop culture, Breaking originated from Black and Latin people in the Bronx, New York City. Podcasts feature discussions on learning breaking, its foundations, and battling culture. It is explicitly noted that "breakdancing" and "breakdancer" are terms created by the media, while "b-boying," "b-girling," and "breaking" are the original and correct terms. Simba (Daniel Jang) from 603 Boogie Squad is mentioned as a key figure in Breaking.
* **Locking:** This style has distinct foundations and a history rooted in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s and the Watts Riots in Los Angeles. John Bernardo (JB) is identified as a key figure who teaches Locking foundations and culture in New Zealand, including at En Beat Dance Academy and Kinetic Dance Studio.
* **Popping:** Another West Coast USA originated style with specific foundations, distinct from Hip Hop dance itself. Sejoo Han from Projekt Team is noted as a key figure teaching Popping, including through free classes/jams at Auckland Popping Club.
* **House:** This dance style began in underground clubs in Chicago and New York City, with battles often involving collaborative grooving and dancers feeding off each other's energy. While not explicitly detailed for New Zealand, John Bernardo mentions doing House jams at TST, and international House dance icon Toyin Sogunro is confirmed to bring her style and deep cultural roots to "Ladies of Hip Hop Aotearoa 2025".
* **Waacking:** This style sometimes involves direct competition but also improvisational collaboration, emphasizing unity and building up opponents [Overview, 416]. Rina Chae (IHOW NZ, Candee Collective) and Haha Lee (HIT Dance Studio) are named as Waacking instructors in New Zealand.
* **Vogue/Ballroom:** Originated by Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ communities in New York City ballroom, this style features runway categories such as face, hands, performance, and "realness". Peggy Yao (Candee Collective) is mentioned as a Vogue instructor in New Zealand.
* **Hip Hop (as a culture and dance):** Emphasized as a culture stemming from Black culture, originating in the Bronx, NYC. It comprises five main elements: Graffiti, DJ, MC, Breaking, and Knowledge. Hip Hop dance is often distinguished from other street dance styles that are mistakenly grouped under its umbrella.
Notable Individuals and Their Contributions
* Andy Ha: The host of "What's The Dillies?", Andy's primary goal is to foster a closer dance community by sharing insights from leading dancers, aiding listeners' dance journeys and personal lives.
* Ken Vaega (LIGHT$A'BER): A prominent figure in the NZ street dance scene, particularly known for his Krump background and his collective "Lighthouse". Ken champions authenticity, self-discovery, and the importance of community and mentorship. He co-created the "Synthesis" show, which explored collaborations between dance and other art forms, demonstrating adaptability during lockdown by shifting to a digital format.
* John Vaifale (Happy Feet): A respected leader in the New Zealand street dance scene and the Red Bull Dance Your Style NZ 2023 winner. He founded the "Loose Change" hip-hop freestyle battle event. John advocates for understanding the history and purpose behind dance movements.
* Byrin Mita (XIII aka Kidd Konkrete): Identified as one of New Zealand's top Krumpers and a KOB (King of Buck) champion. He is noted for his character-heavy, storytelling approach to dance and for teaching adaptive workshops overseas, focusing on concepts like timing and material usage.
* 12AF (Badass Street Beast): A co-host on some podcasts with LIGHT$A'BER, 12AF is a Krump dancer who has competed in the All-Star division. He discusses battle strategies, like managing energy for later rounds, and the importance of raising international awareness for the NZ Krump movement.
* Mele Taeiloa: A pillar of the Projekt Team and a dance teacher, Mele emphasizes the value of community events and self-recording for improving dance skills, even if not shared publicly.
* Seidah Tuaoi An educator and creative, Seidah explores cultural identity by fusing Popping with her Samoan heritage (pulitasi). She stresses the importance of continuous learning and curiosity, even for those in teaching roles.
* John Bernardo (JB): Active in the Locking and House communities, John emphasizes contributing to the community and learning foundations. He highlights the irreplaceable value of direct mentorship and in-person exchanges over online learning for true growth and feeling in dance.
* Ooshcon: An experimental Hip Hop movement artist from New Zealand, skilled in various street dance styles, who focuses on self-discovery and mindful movement, citing Bruce Lee as an influence.
* Rina Chae: A choreographer and judge associated with IHOW NZ and Candee Collective, Rina leads Waacking workshops and has choreographed for various K-Pop groups. She is also involved in "Ladies of Hip Hop NZ" festivals, celebrating and empowering women in Hip Hop culture.
Education, History, and Cultural Sensitivity: A Core Message
A deeply recurring theme throughout these podcasts and supporting documents is the critical importance of understanding the history and cultural origins of street dance styles. Dancers are strongly encouraged to educate themselves on the foundations and meaning behind each style, seeking knowledge from "OGs" (original gangsters/pioneers), international pioneers, and authentic sources, rather than merely copying moves. The concept of "biting"—copying another dancer's unique round, concept, or signature transition without credit—is highlighted as a serious "no-no" in street dance culture, distinct from learning foundational steps or reinterpreting moves in battles, which are considered "universal vocab" and acceptable.
Cultural appropriation is a significant concern, with discussions emphasizing that mislabeling dance forms or teaching styles without understanding their roots is disrespectful and erases the stories and history of the communities that created them from struggle, survival, and joy. It is seen as potentially damaging to the entire scene, pushing real creators and pioneers out of their own culture. Historical parallels are drawn to blackface minstrelsy as a "cultural robbery" and "tool of expropriation of black cultural identity" that shaped stereotypical perceptions of African Americans. The discussion extends to contemporary forms of appropriation, such as "blackfishing" where predominantly white women use visual cues to appear Black, and the way white pop artists like Ariana Grande incorporate Black musical aesthetics (e.g., trap beats, AAVE, vocal stylings) and lyrical themes, often without proper credit or equitable compensation for the Black creators and communities. This disproportionately benefits white-owned companies and reinforces existing power structures.
While digital platforms like YouTube can offer helpful resources for dance education, direct learning from mentors, active community participation, and in-person exchanges are emphasized as crucial for authentic understanding and growth, as opposed to solely learning moves online. The ultimate goal is to "Lift NZ's Street Dance Reputation & Education" through respectful learning, showing up and supporting events, sharing knowledge, connecting globally, and leading by example with humility and integrity.