A round-table interview with professional dancers who lead the street dance scene!

Kanagawa has a great dance environment

-It was a very lively final tournament with loud cheers for each performance. Please tell us your frank impressions.

[Dayoshi] I could feel that everyone was dancing with great passion. I was able to understand that I had been practicing with all my heart... I was also shaken, and as a judge, I felt happy. “I understand, I understand, after all dance is like this (laughs).

[Mikako Kano] Also, I was envious. In our time, there weren't many competitions like this, and the opportunities for presentations were limited in the first place.

[CRAZY SHIZUKA] That's certainly true. Speaking of contests at that time, it was about "DANCE DELIGT"? That's why it was so precious to have a place where I could show the results of my practice to an unspecified number of people. But now there are so many contests, so I thought it would be nice.

[Dayoshi] Among them, "National High School Nihon Odori Street Dance Battle" is amazing. After all, the tournament is being held with the support of Kanagawa Prefecture, and Governor Kuroiwa is also here today. I think it's an unprecedented contest.

[CRAZY SHIZUKA] I think it's wonderful!

[Mikako Kano] Yes. Dance is something that you polish your technique on your own, but the environment is also important for growth. Kanagawa Prefecture is full of things, and I felt the charm.

-From a professional point of view, have you ever felt anything about student dances?

[Good] Everyone is good, isn't it? Maybe it's because I've practiced every day in club activities, and I've been seriously aiming for the competition, but my level is high.

[DJ HIROKING]. I feel like I've been practicing so that I can grow as a dancer and produce solid results. It means that there is a teacher who will give you proper advice instead of being selfish. We have a smart environment.

In our time, we explored performance by fumbling around

-It means that there is a better environment for students who want to learn dance. On the other hand, are there any differences or things that bothered you compared to your time?

[DJ HIROKING] This might contradict what I just said, but if I were to force it, would it be possible to say "too sophisticated"? For example, hip-hop, jazz hip-hop, rocking, popping, breaking, etc. There are many themes in dance, but when I watch the students dance, I feel that I understand them from the beginning. . What I mean by that is that they are dancing with the awareness that ``This is what ○○'s dance is like''. In other words, I already know each dance type.

I think it's probably because I can learn dance from my teacher, and I can easily get in touch with YouTube, but I think that's why I don't feel like I'm fumbling. In our time, the environment for obtaining information wasn't complete, so no matter what we did, we were fumbling around. Each time I thought about how to do that, or how to do it, I was polishing my technique. And I think that today is the result of that repetition. But the times are different from those days, and I don't think it's good or bad, but I feel that "adventure" is sometimes necessary. Even if it turns out to be a mistake, it will lead to growth, and there is also the possibility that it will become a big personality later. "Oh, I've never seen a dance like this before" (laughs).

[Good] I agree with that. It may be a bit extreme, but I think it's not too late to master the kata and learn the techniques of your seniors even after you become a professional. If you stand on the front line, it's something that's required so much that you don't like it. That's why I'd like you to work on dance that can only be done in that era, that is, as a student.

[CRAZY SHIZUKA] That's right. I also think that the “playfulness” of trying various things is very important.

What I want you to aim for is a “cool” dance that attracts people with just one count.

−I would like to ask Mr. CanDoo, who chaired today's special judging committee. What points did you emphasize when choosing the winning team this time?

[CanDoo] Of course, I also focused on what everyone was talking about earlier. It's not something you've seen somewhere, but whether it's a performance that we thought through ourselves.

And another thing that I emphasized was "whether or not I'm in the state". As expected, the team that was too strong in their shoulders was conspicuous because they wanted to show the results of their practice. But it's a sign that he's seriously dancing, so it's only natural. Among them, I focused on the team that "felt that dance and music were united" instead of "dancing to capture the sound of music". Even if it's not a judging, it's the focus of the dance I'm looking for, and the dancers who have been influenced so far have an amazing sense of unity with the music. So it's all-around strength. Elements such as the sharpness of the dance and the balance of the movement of the whole team are also important, but we selected them based on whether they could give a "more natural performance".

-Finally, please give a message to the students who will be responsible for the next generation of dance.

[CRAZY SHIZUKA] I would like you to aim for "borderless" dance. For example, contests are contests, and freestyles are freestyles. It may be difficult not to distinguish between them, but I would like people to have a neutral awareness and enjoy dance purely.

[Mikako Kano] By all means, I want you to dance the dance that you can only do now. I would like to see more dance that is rough, but reckless and full of young energy. It's important to hone your technique more, but the feeling of wanting to dance at that time is only for that moment, so by all means, each of you should give a performance full of your thoughts, "This is how our dance should be!" I want you to keep making it. I'm really looking forward to the 4th Street Battle!

[Dayoshi] As long as you are a dancer, I would like you to cherish your "choice of music". Dancers borrow the power of music to show their own performance. Music is the life of the performance. So, before I chose this song because I'm good at it, what kind of song is it? It's important to be convinced of the background of the song and the content of the lyrics and use it as a theme. It gives more depth to the dance.

[DJ HIROKING] I would like you to cherish the excitement that comes from the depths of your heart forever. For example, although it's not meant to be shown to anyone, it's said that he's playing his favorite songs and dancing like crazy. From there, I think that the individuality that is unique to that person will be born, and I think that people will be moved by that. Dance like no one is watching!

[CanDoo] Since we have such a good environment, I would like to see more and more dancers who can make the audience feel excited just by standing there. And I want young children to aim for that. It's amazing to be told that you're good at dancing, but it's a little different, just cool. When the music starts and the dancer moves on one count, I can't help but hear cheers from the people around me. Of course, regular practice is essential to that goal, but I think it's important to look at your own dance and explore the dance that only you can do.