Las Vegas Weekly

July 29, 2008 · 1:30 PM

The very best of hip-hop bound into Vegas

By Robin Leach

An amazing cast of 1,500 dancers from more than 30 countries around the world start today’s (Tuesday) 7th annual USA and World Hip Hop Dance Championships -- the first time they has been held here in Vegas! American Idol judge Randy Jackson will present the awards at the end of the elimination and voting process at the Loews Lake Vegas Resort, with the final showdown on Sunday at the Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts along with the Living Legend Award ceremony to global star MC Hammer. The battle for world supremacy in urban street dance skills inspired the MTV series, Randy Jackson present’s America’s Best Dance Crew.

Natasha Jean Bart, who is featured as Lady Madonna in Cirque du Soleil’s Love, will return as head judge. Muhktar who was cast in Love after winning the World Hip Hop Championship in 2005 while representing Great Britain, is another judge. Also returning to the judging panel is prominent hip-hop choreographer Shane Sparks (America’s Best Dance Crew), one of three judges featured on the MTV series. Fans can join Sparks and other legendary hip-hop dance choreographers for Urban Moves 5, street dance workshops that start tomorrow (Wednesday) and run through the weekend.

As proof of the growing popularity of hip-hop worldwide, crews are coming in from 35 nations including Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, Belarus, Britain, Canada, China, Colombia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, and of course, the United States.

It all starts with the USA Hip Hop Dance Championship as crews (five to eight dancers) from all across America “bust their best moves” for the chance to represent the United States at the World Hip Hop Dance Championship in preliminary rounds tonight with the finals tomorrow held at Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort. Kaba Modern, which finished in third place on America’s Best Dance Crew, will be back to defend the USA title they earned in 2007.

Winners of the USA Hip Hop Dance Championship will advance to compete at the World Hip Hop Dance Championship in preliminary heats Friday at Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort, setting the stage to represent the USA at the World Hip Hop Dance Championship Finals on Sunday evening at Planet Hollywood. The top dance crews in Youth (ages 7-12), Varsity (12-18) and Adult (18-over) divisions will battle for world titles in a high energy, entertaining evening hosted by Chris Spencer from NBC/Bravo’s Significant Others and Soul Food, with Randy presenting the winning medals.

The 3rd annual USA & World Bboy Crew Battles at Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort, a challenging and rarely seen “in-your-face” competition of “b-boys” and “b-girls” going head-to-head takes place at noon on Saturday, with the winners advancing to the World BBoy Battle later that night. The 2nd annual World Popping & Locking Battles are also set for Saturday at noon, and will feature a special appearance by icons Boogaloo Sam (creator of Popping and the Electric Boogaloo) and Don “Campbellock” Campbell (creator of Locking).

Share This