Meet the Judges
OG’s and pioneers, big names together to choose the winners of the Street Dance Roots International Awards after the dancers are nominated by the public.
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HIP-HOP
Street Dance Roots presents Cooley Jaxson. If you are a North American dancer, you must know Cooley Jaxson, one of the stars of the cast of the immensely popular music variety TV series "Solid Gold". He was there as a regularly featured dancer and remained on the show for 3 years. Widely noted as one of the first street-style dancers to introduce breakdancing to a mass audience in the 80s. He can also be seen busting some fancy popping and locking breakdance moves in the films "Breakin'" and "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo, a true and complete dancer, a truly inspiring entertainer. In addition, Cooley was dancing with Michael Jackson in the 80’s, not competing but inspiring, pushing each other to the next level.
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HIP-HOP
Street Dance Roots presents Budda Strech, an artist who has made a significant impact on the dance world, drawing inspiration from all the different elements of Hip-Hop culture, including music An MC and writer himself, who continues to make music today. His continuous contributions to Hip-Hop have solidified his status as a true icon, a living legend of the genre.
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Great Budda’s Interview
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CAMPBELLOCKING a.k.a. LOCKING
Street Dance Roots presents Fluky Luke, born as Leo Williamson, was a Soul Train dancer but he is what we call a "locker locker". One of the original members of the Lockers in the 70s. He created and performed a really strong and excellent style of Locking. He perfected the "which way" move, and it turned into one of his signature moves, with “The Leo walk”, another one of his signature moves (to travel from one part of the stage to another) and his gymnastics ability Fluky Luke still has a lot of influence on spreading Locking around the world and he is with us selecting the Best Street Dance Roots International Campbellocking Dancer.
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CAMPBELLOCKING a.k.a. LOCKING
Street Dance Roots presents Jimmy Foster better known as Scoo-B.Doo was a Soul Train dancer in the early 70's and a member of a unique group called "The Something Special" dance group of soul train dancers which featured early Locking icons. Scoo-B.Doo is a pioneer of the Locking style, a co-founder of the legendary “hand Shake” move with Damita Jo Freeman, he also created his signature move, the "Scoo B Doo" (doing a muscle man lock then doing two separate kicks while pacing with one hand in time with the kicks) or the “Scoo B Doo walk”, the “Scoobot” and the “Scoobot hop”. He is for sure a legend alive that is with us selecting the Best Street Dance Roots International Campbellocking Dancer. What a pleasure to share this moment with him.
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BREAKING
Street Dance Roots presents King Trixie, the most popular dancer at Kool Herc parties, noted for his tricks and humor, while dancing King Trixie keeps the hip-hop culture alive since ever being a first-generation Break dancer. He is also part of the Street Dance Roots East Cost and with the other legend A1 B-boy "Sasa" will choose the Best Street Dance Roots International Breaking Dancer.
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BREAKING
Street Dance Roots presents A1 B-boy "Sasa”. The first break dancer to be called a B-boy, at Kool Herc parties in the West Bronx, New York City. He was considered "A1" meaning he was the best, he was undefeated in battles on the dance floor. - 1974 and now he is with us being part of Street Dance Roots East Coast and now he is selecting who is going to be the Best Street Dance Roots International Breaking Dancer.
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BREAKING
Street Dance Roots presents Casper, a professional and pioneer Brazilian breaker. Three decades in the Hip-Hop field, also Popping, Locking, DJing, and producing with other artists. Casper is an inspiration for many Brazilian kids teaching and keeping the Street Dance culture alive. He was the first Street Dance Roots International Bboy winner and in this second edition, we proudly have him in the judges team.
@casperbackspin
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CAMPBELLOCKING
Street Dance Roots presents Tony Go-Go, a co-founder of the original Go-Go Brothers group and an original member of The Lockers, who has been upholding and enhancing the Campbellocking legacy for more than three decades. With five decades of experience in the industry, Tony has performed on stage for entertainment events, TV shows, theater shows, commercials, and workshops worldwide. We present A respected judge in various international events and are now a part of the Street Dance Roots International Awards.
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HOUSE
Caleaf Sellers a.k.a. Big Leaf is a House pioneer from the late 80's. A change maker in his field bringing a unique style mixing Hip-Hop and House. He is a member of the famed Moptop Unit and one of the original founders of Dance Fusion, the dance crew founded in 1997 that has been fundamental in the development and innovation of House dance culture worldwide. His genuine and innovative approach has earned him the admiration and respect of both older and younger generations, cementing his status as a noteworthy artist.
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HOUSE
Jardy Santiago is a house dancer, choreographer, and devoted teacher, who inspires and motivates other dancers to reach new heights.
Santiago's passion for dance began at a young age, and he has since become a respected figure in the house dance community and with Street Dance Roots from the First Edition of the Awards.
Santiago's unique style and dedicated work encourage dancers around the world to develop their style with confidence and purpose.
He has performed and taught workshops worldwide, sharing his energy, knowledge, and love of the art form with Street Dancers of all levels.
@jardysantiago
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WAACKING/WHACKING/PUNKING
Street Dance Roots presents Archie Burnet, our phenomenal Waacking Judge, who helps dancers discover their voice through body movement and empowers individuals globally.
His energetic personality isn't the only thing that dance enthusiasts admire; his fantastic and athletic moves also make him a noteworthy figure in the community. Wherever he goes, he brings an electrifying energy that elevates the mood.
What a pleasure to have Mr. Burnet with us.
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WAACKING
Starting with Mexican Folkloric dancing, moving on to some of the biggest ballet companies in the United States, and being a key player in the emergence of Punking, later known as Whacking, Viktor Manoel has an impressive career. One of the last remaining O.G. dancers that is still active today, in choreography, writing, and acting.
Viktor's exceptional dedication to spreading his knowledge of dance has been a true inspiration to many. His passion and enthusiasm are evident in the way he shares his expertise with others.
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POPPING
Street Dance Roots presents Steffan "Mr. Wiggles" Clemente, a Hip Hop Dance Icon, noted for his popping skills. He is a member of the Rock Steady Crew, The Electric Boogaloos, Tribal Click, Zulu Nation, and TC5, also known as The Cool Five or The Crazy Five. A truly dynamic and influential street dancer that we have a honor to have as a judge selecting the Best Street Dance Roots International Popping Dancer.
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POPPING
In memorian
Street Dance Roots presents One Arm Bandit, born David Smythe, a Popping dancer with a wide experience in the field. He worked with a wonderful list of artists such as Michael Jackson, Earth Wind and Fire, Lou Rawls, Nia Peeples, and the Party Machine. Dick Clark in American Bandstand, Richard Pryor movie Brewster’s Million. And he was part of the legendary Breakin movie 1 and 2: Electric Boogaloo. David also toured with Alpha Anderson on Nike’s world tour. “The Knee Slide“, “Tut drop” and the “Lowrider” are signature moves that made One Arm Bandit famous in the dance world. We miss him and we are proud to had him as a team member and judge in our first edition.
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POPPING
Ricardo "Boogie Frantick" Rodriquez Jr. is a Los Angeles-based dancer recognized worldwide as a master of popping. From local dance battles at underground clubs in the San Fernando Valley to big stages with notable artists. He keeps spreading his talent giving workshops and performing his distinctive solos overseas. Boogie Frantick is an active dancer in the community and has dedicated his life to using dance as a means of expression and as an inspiration for a new generation of artists.
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Group Judge
Street Dance Roots presents Damita Jo Freeman the O.G. Lady of Soul Train. "One breakout star, in particular, Damita Jo Freeman, kept our eyes riveted on her every graceful move. Controlled, yet fluid, and oh so very limber, Damita Jo performed for the cameras like no other and her fuel was the outta sight music of the times… Beautiful rhythmic movements, elegant high kicks, perfectly picked Afro bobbing up and down as she strutted her stuff, and all topped with a grin of confidence from here-to-there. Damita Jo knew she was a bad mama jama, and we wholeheartedly agree!”.
With this great excerpt by Judyth Watson-Remy we present our Hip-Hop lovely Judge Damita Jo Freeman.
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Meet the winners from last year
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WAACKING FINALISTS
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BREAKING FINALISTS
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HIP-HOP FINALISTS
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HOUSE FINALISTS
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POPPING FINALIST
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CAMPBELLOCKING a.k.a. LOCKING FINALISTS