Chicago, Japan and Beyond

Speak of inspiring people, do you know Moor Mother? I saw she is co-curating Le Guess Who this year and she picked you as one of her favorite artists to perform this year.



I didn’t get to meet her, but it’s always the people who like the songs that I have done and that feel inspired that I get feedback from. For some reasons I have so much respect coming from different artists, poets, musicians and I tell them “if you never met me before, I’ll put it out there, treat me like a regular person – just like you, I am a human being, and I’m here to be a support for you and motivate you do bigger and better things. Even if you go further than me, my job is done. Right now I’m open to do different things with different artists and lift them up. Years ago I said I wanted to be a teacher – and this is what I do now. I say I’m doing my job to be able to be a part of this act together with these upcoming souls, it’s a blessing. I never pitched any of this, I just enjoy the living and enjoy the moment as it comes.



I think we need in the community the kind of teachers that are less like the school teachers who limit people, and more like the ones who make people free. How is the community in Chicago? Are there footwork parties that caught your attention lately?



Not much – I know Chicago like in my sleep and I think the footwork scene has tremendously just died. What happens is, everything now is on social media. So here they have different social media gatherings and groups like on facebook. From what I see from people who still try to be active, I support the dancing, but the attitude when they talk to each other doesn’t fit right. For the past two summers in Chicago there have been some good things like showcasing more footwork to the public, but it’s more dealing with the city of Chicago. I wouldn’t say people are trying to capitalize, it’s more like “hey, we would like to use certain dance crews to do certain things”. From what I experienced, dealing with promoters and bookers before social media came out, I’ve seen a lot of situations when people are being used, and I’m not supportive of using people. That’s why I do my own thing, they do their thing, but I still support them. Two weeks ago we had a day parade in Chicago, that’s where I did the video for “Bangin’ on King Drive”. That’s from a festival dealing with youth showcasing their dance skills. But I have so much history in that parade that I don’t have to show up and I’m still there.



Is there a scene that you are in touch with from the Netherlands?



The last time I was in the Netherlands was also for Le Guess Who? and I love it. I stayed at a hotel that was some kilometers away from the festival and what I did was walk – back and forth. I saw a lot of good people, but never had conversations. This year, when I found out I’m going back to the Netherlands I asked them to put me in the same hotel, because there was so much to see and indulge in. It’s an honor to go back. When I’m traveling, the people that I get to talk to, that I have met somewhere and I can always see them is mostly when I go to Japan or when I go to London. I’d make sure to go to the Dalston area where I could see Tim and Barry who do the timandbarrytv session – that’s the beautiful part about travelling: once I meet somebody and we have a connection and I’m coming back, I would make sure to see if they’re in town or, if they don’t know I’m coming but they’re there, I’ll go surprise them.



Any artists in Japan you want to give a shout-out to?



I would give a shout to DJ April from Booty Tunes, Takuya, Weezy who is a producer and footwork dancer representing it also in Chicago. When I’m in Osaka, that is the land of DJ Fulltono, he’s the man – main footwork producer throughout the whole Japan. One more shout-out to our translator from Japan – his father is American, his mother is Japanese. Every time I’m in Japan he waits at the airport and takes me where I need to go.



Are there footwork battles in Japan?



Yes! There is Battle Train Tokyo. A couple of American guys come over to support that. Shout-out to all the Chicago crews that came to Japan to represent (The Era, Creation). Creation is very popular in Japan. It’s ran by a founder called Charles, we call him King Charles. These crews have some of the best students and they’re always there.



It would be awesome to have footwork dance classes in Bucharest at some point. There is a class I know in Berlin. And some voguing going on in Bucharest for now.



Absolutely!



Something for the end of our interview?



I don’t use this anymore, but this is what got me started – it’s the first piece (wipes dust of Roland R-70 drum machine and shows it to the camera).



*photo credits: Wills Glasspiegel

