Get ready for region's biggest street dance fest
*Scape and local dance crew Radikal Forze will join forces to co-present the *Scape Radikal Forze Jam 2016.
The urban art festival celebrates the group's 18th anniversary with dance and graffiti competitions.
The Jam was started in 2008 with a turn-out of only 200. Now, more than 5,000 participants from around the world are joining this year's edition, which will be held at *Scape from March 18 to 20.
The annual event is now widely considered as one of the biggest street dance festivals in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mr Felix Huang, 34, leader and spokesman of Radikal Forze, is a second-generation member and has been with the group since he was 18.
The veteran B-boy, or breakdancer, set up dance studio Recognize! Studios in 2010.
He told The New Paper: "The Jam is definitely one of our biggest achievements. Even though we've won competitions all over the world, seeing the fans and friends we've made come down to support us is amazing.
JUDGE
"Crazy Legs, one of the judges of this year's competition, is an American B-boy from the Bronx (in New York City). He is truly one of the pioneers of street dance and seeing him support us is a big deal."
Over the years, Radikal Forze have evolved, not just in terms of breakdancing skills but also in their mission.
Said fifth-generation member Muhammad Ridwan Jamaluddin, a 24-year-old audio technician: "We used to only be focused on winning competitions but now we're at a level where we're past that. We're all about building the scene to help other youths understand hip-hop culture."
On *Scape's changing role from venue provider to full-on partner, its executive director, Mr Christopher Pragasam, said: "*Scape Radikal Forze Jam 2016 is an excellent way of bringing like-minded youth with a passion for street dance together in an exchange of skills and ideas with their international counterparts. The youth get to showcase their talents, be exposed to international standards and compete overseas on the world stage."
We're all about building the scene to help other youths understand hip-hop culture.
- Radikal Forze member Muhammad Ridwan Jamaluddin, on the local dance crew's mission
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