Breaking
Dance
Discover how Uzee Rock and Chey found freedom of expression in breaking
Developing a unique way of breaking is something every dancer strives for. We met Uzee Rock and Chey at this year's Red Bull BC One World Final to talk about their style and freedom of expression.
Breakers are known for creating and executing crazy, dynamic moves and using their bodies to perform mindblowing feats of dancing. One of the hardest things for any breaker to truly achieve, though, is finding and developing a style that allows them to truly express their personality and character, regardless of if they're doing a crazy move or not.
B-Boys Uzee Rock from Ukraine, and Chey from Spain, are two of the most free-spirited characters on the scene when it comes to true freedom of expression in their styles. Both can grab an audience's attention with the pure power of their personality on the floor, before they even showcase their dynamic moves. See for yourself in their Red Bull BC One battle below:
6 min
Round of 16: Chey vs Uzee Rock
Spain's Chey and Ukrainian Uzee Rock battle one-on-one for a chance to make it to the BC One quarter-finals.
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We spoke to the two B-Boys about freedom of expression, how they found it, developed it, and what it means to them:
How did you find your style?
UR: I saw some videos from guys like B-Boy Benji, who I saw was similar to me because I was also flexible. After seeing this I became more confident and saw that breaking was more than just the basic, traditional moves and stuff. So I started to create using my flexibility and one day my friend gave me and my style a Russian name called 'Uzee Knot.' I liked the name straightaway and the next day I went to practice and started to develop top-rock knots, footwork knots, freeze knots and more, and step-by-step I evolved this 'knotting style,' which is actually known as Threading in breaking.
C: Mine is a mix between many styles. When I was learning breaking I was also practising popping and locking, and then I started to do salsa with my girlfriend, and then contemporary dance. So mine is a mix of my own version of these styles.
Spain's Chey poses at a photoshoot in Zurich
© Little Shao/Red Bull Content Pool
Did you ever feel nervous about showing people your non-traditional style?
UR: No, because I saw that when B-Boy Benji showed his style the crowd went crazy, so I understood that it was going to be fine to show mine. And when I did show my style everyone screamed and went crazy as well so I was confident after this.
C: No, for me it's exciting, and the most important thing is that I'm able to show what I do to the people watching, who may not want to see my style, and maybe have them say, "I don't like this style but wow, great job!" Some people don't like my style but I want to try and convince them. For me, this is the most important thing.
Uzee Rock from Ukraine
© Little Shao/Red Bull Content Pool
Do you follow a specific method to create moves within your style?
UR: I went deeper from doing variations on moves to putting the moves together, for example, mixing the top-rock knots with the freezes knots. I call this 'Unity Style,' as I try to unite everything.
C: I have many ways to create but my favourite is to imitate something I love, like an animal's movement or someone funny. One of my favourite actors is Jim Carrey, I love the way he simply walks or makes facial expressions. For me, when I see this, it's crazy and amazing and I always try to imitate it. If I can do this it's like I have another character in my style. I might use it, or I might not, but I love to create with imitation.
Chey is known for his flowing ground moves
© Gianfranco Tripodo/Red Bull Content Pool
What do you want to leave the audience with when you dance?
UR: I try to show love. I love to break, I love to dance to the music. I love to show my creative energy and I think that when I'm dancing the people watching me are having fun. So I just try to make people happy and evolve them with my dance. In the world we have a lot of scary places where people have a heavy energy, like in prisons. But when we show people how we dance everyone is surprised and happy, and their energy changes. We have the power to make people happy. I understand that it may not be for their whole life, but it's a good chance to maybe make people start to think differently.
C: People who know me know that I'm a free spirit. When I'm in the moment, dancing, I'm never thinking about doing this set or that move, I simply want to show who I am, free and honest. If people see this then I am happy.
Uzee Rock pulling off the Uzee Spin against Victor
© Dean Treml/Red Bull Content Pool
Do you have any words or advice for breakers who enjoy your style and want to also find that freedom?
UR: It's easy and hard to find your style. The first step is to understand that everyone is different, everyone is born with a different personality, different eyes, fingertips, body construction, everything. I call this like having super powers, so everybody is a superhero. Maybe you're flexible, maybe you're super powerful or a funny person, having the energy to make people laugh. Whichever it is, you just need to find your super power, understand who you are and then don't be scared to evolve yourself.
C: I know many are trying to follow my style, but to be honest I'm not the only one with this style, there are many people with something similar. I just love to share this different mentality.
Chey chills in a bridge freeze
© Little Shao/Red Bull Content Pool
