Hip-Hop Dancers Compete To Be ‘America’s Best Dance Crew’
February 28, 2008
Asian American hip-hop dance group Kaba Modern is one of the competitors in the new MTV show, America’s Best Dance Crew, the brainchild of American Idol judge Randy Jackson.
Dancers Tony Tran, Mike Song, Yuri Tag, Lawrence Kao, Cindy Minowa and Jia Huang — part of a larger dance group at the University of California at Irvine — form the only all-Asian American dance crew in the competition and have been an audience favorite.
After impressing the judges — J.C. Chasez of the pop band *NSYNC, choreographer Shane Sparks and hip-hop artist Lil’ Mama — Kaba Modern has made it through multiple rounds of eliminations based on battles with other crews on the show and popular votes through the Internet and text messages. Only six dance crews remain, battling it out for a cash prize and a touring contract.
But they’re no strangers to dance contests — the group scored first place at 2007’s USA Hip-Hop Championships.
Originally derived from U.C. Irvine’s Kababayan Filipino Student Association, Kaba Modern was founded by Arnel Calvario, now company director for a nonprofit hip-hop dance troupe in Los Angeles.
Members of the crew in the MTV competition are either current U.C. Irvine students or alumni, and five out of the six are from Southern California. Tony Tran is from West Covina and was inspired to dance by the Rock Steady Crew street dancer Mr. Wiggles. Mike Song is from Torrance and is a business and economics major, who enjoys mixing music, filming, video editing, cooking and writing. Yuri Tag is from Irvine and recently graduated with a B.A. in social ecology, and is currently working in the fashion industry. Lawrence Kao is from Hacienda Heights and is a drama major, who is inspired by passionate artists. Cindy Minowa is from Michigan and is a dance teacher and Starbucks barista, who loves all art forms, from cosmetology to interior design to fashion. Jia Huang is from Arcadia and has a B.A. in dance and is a dance teacher at Arcadia High School, who is interested in cooking, football and sketching.
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No mention on Jabbawockeez, who are also predominately Asian Americans?
It would be great if someone did an article about the JabbaWockeeZ crew. I would love to read an article about them. Thank you.
I gotta say I’m so disappointed that Status Quo was voted best this week. Messy choreography with a few fancy stunts is NOT dance. Even brksk8 is better than them.
It should have been Kaba vs. Jabba at the end. Kaba has the best choreography, tightest timing and DANCE. Jabba is not as tight as Kaba, but they got power that Kaba lacks.
It would have been a great finals.
omg jia is from arcadia hs? haha i see them all the time during my highschool track meets and they are predominantly azn. heck yes, azns representing in one of thee toughest sports.