Breaking
Dance
Meet Asia One, the seminal B-Girl who’s inspired top breakers worldwide
We've been getting to know some of the most influential and pioneering B-Girls from the scene and this time around it’s the turn of the USA's Asia One. Learn about the B-Boy Summit series founder now.
Following our Rise of the B-Girl series, we're now talking to the legendary queens and pioneers who made big moves on the scene.
So far we’ve spoken to icons like Rotterdam’s B-Girl Aruna, NYC’s legendary B-Girl Rokafella and Da Funky Style Crew’s B-Girl Nadia – and now we're meeting up with B-Girl Asia-One.
Hugely hyped across hip-hop culture, Asia-One has inspired near enough every major star and B-Girl rising in the scene since moving to the West Coast from her hometown of Denver, Colorado, in 1994.
B-Girl Asia-One is an activist, an ambassador for hip-hop, and a B-Girl visionary that the series wouldn't be the same without, so get to know why she's has been so influential in our interview with her below.
Asia One poses for a portrait at Red Bull One Camp USA in Houston
© Maria Jose Govea/Red Bull Content Pool
How would you describe the B-Girl scene when you started?
When I started, there wasn’t a B-Girl scene. There were a few B-Girls scattered around the US and internationally.
What was the initial thing that got your attention?
The first time I realised I wanted to be a B-Girl was in ‘93 when I saw Ghetto Originals. It was the first hip-hop/theatre show I'd ever seen, and they had members of Rock Steady Crew, Rhythm Technicians and Full Circle telling stories through vignettes. After that, it was a wrap!
But you were making moves in the hip-hop community long before the Ghetto Original’s show, right?
For sure. I had a hip-hop shop in Denver, and I went to San Diego to an underground trade show there called 432 F to cop gear for my shop. San Diego had a fresh underground scene and everyone who was anyone in hip-hop was there. It was an exciting time. It was the renaissance of hip-hop and the birth of streetwear.
Why focus on becoming a B-Girl?
I became a B-Girl because I wanted to change my life, and I wanted to do something with it that I felt was going to be worthwhile – rather than just partying and hanging out. I always loved hip-hop, so I wanted to acquire skills and knowledge, and represent.
Are there other B-Girls that you looked up to along the way and still do today?
I looked up to Honey Rockwell because I thought she was dope. I had a goal to get better than her in order to do shows with Rock Steady – sad but true. Motivation is everything, and I worked really hard to make it happen. I also looked up to Marcella, who was an Italian B-Girl and was also really dope.
I look up to Rokafella probably the most out of any B-Girl. She worked so hard on her craft, and we both went through a lot at the same time, being some of the only females in the game. Today, I continue to admire her spirit and fearless dedication to uplift women in hip-hop.
It always touches my heart when a B-Girl or a B-Boy tells me that I inspire them
What’s the biggest thing that drives you to continue?
I’ve never considered stopping breaking. I just love to do it and it’s a part of who I am.
I love the culture and spirit of hip-hop, graffiti writing etc, so really that’s what keeps me motivated and inspired. I consider it my culture, and it's what I represent.
Many of the newer-generation breakers aren’t connected to the culture and hip-hop in that way, especially from a cultural perspective, as a movement of social change and justice, and an art form.
What would you say has been your hardest battle?
I really can’t say what my hardest battle was. Throughout the years, probably trying to keep haters and the police from destroying me, and the BBoy Summit I created – especially in the ’90s.
As far as breaking goes, I battled Beta at ‘Mighty 4’, and it was tough no doubt. I remember battling Hurricane at one of the Summits, I think ‘99, and she was tough.. real tough! I really respect her get down and style. Every time I went to NYC, Ms Twist stepped to me, and we’d battle. She was mad aggressive and intimidating. I always thought we were going to have to fight, but it never got to that.
What would you say has been the biggest win?
The biggest win, was probably when I, Peppa and Jules won ‘Queen B’ back in like in 2002 or 2003. It was big for us, and we worked hard for it. Individually I can’t say, I haven’t entered anything and won in a while. A student of mine named Madi and I entered ‘Queenz of Hip-Hop’ last year on the fly and made it to the finals, which was cool.
Do you feel you’ve seen the B-Girl scene improve?
Yes, definitely. There are more B-Girls than ever now, especially overseas. We could definitely have more B-Girls in the US, but we have a decent amount and they're good. I feel like we have some good camaraderie overall with B-Girls and that our scene may develop differently than the B-Boy scene has. I believe as women, we take more interest in the community part of what we do and nurturing that over making money.
Asia One on the floor at the BC One Camp Houston 2018
© Maria Jose Govea/Red Bull Content Pool
How does it feel to know that many dancers credit you as their inspiration?
Honestly it always touches my heart when a B-Girl or a B-Boy tells me that I inspire them or I'm the reason they started breaking. That never fails!
Looking back, do you think you could have predicted the impact you that you'd make on the scene?
I don’t think I could have predicted it, I just know that I’m that kind of person that takes action when something needs to happen. I don’t sit around and wait. We had to uplift the scene and the artform of B-Boying because it was becoming forgotten. It was really dying out due to a new sound emerging in hip-hop and a new dance as well. Freestyle!
What sparked the idea to co-create the B-Boy Summit and bring breaking back to life?
We didn’t want to be sidelined. We needed a platform to come together, break, and pay homage to the art form of B-Boying, and that’s how and why the Bboy Summit was born. I do feel what we did; myself, Easy Roc, J-Love and the SD Zulu One Chapter really made an impact. In fact I’m sure it did. It's a big contributor to why the dance is still alive, and especially why other events exist. These events collectively make the scene of breaking and give people reason to practice, meet up and break.
What would you say is the greatest thing that still needs to change in the scene?
We need more visibility for B-Girls on all levels – as competitors, judges, educators, historians, etc. We need OGs from the hip-hop scene to be involved as judges, educators, historians etc.
We also need advocacy from people outside of breaking to come and help. People that are neutral and impartial, yet committed to helping keep the authenticity and aesthetics of the art form of breaking preserved and protected. Especially when it comes to huge sponsored events like having breaking in the Olympics.
Asia One teaching at a workshop
© Carlo Cruz/Red Bull Content Pool
What advice would you give B-Girls just starting out?
It takes a lot of drive and work to get good at this dance. But if you want it, you will do it. Learn the history, learn about hip-hop, it will help you invaluably with your style and form. Become a protege to an OG, because who you learn from really does matter. It’s part of your blueprint and history.
Lastly what do you think is the key to staying in the game?
Humility and a love for the culture. If you just break to stay on top, that probably won’t happen. If you love the culture, then you'll want to continue to be involved. Always be a student.
