interview by: WANYEE LIphotos: LINDA DONGMy first experience at a b-boy battle was at the MIGHTY 4 held in December, at Oakridge Centre Mall.  I really didn’t know what to expect, but I came away impressed and bouncing with energy.  The dance, the music, it just gets to ya.  The whole time I had the urge to get up there and dance.  If only I could dance like the b-boys who were there  could.  Before the battle started, I had the opportunity to speak with some of the best in the b-boy scene, and they really helped me understand the history behind b-boy culture.  Here is my interview with Dennis (Liquid) Arriola, fellow Vancouverite, long time b-boy and founder of the clothing brand, Killa.For people who don’t know, can you tell us a little about what this event is and how it came to be? D: This is hosted by Mighty 4.  This is a b-boy competition that happens all over the world, in twenty different countries.  The Mighty 4 is twelve years old going strong and this is the first time it has come overseas here to Canada.  There are guys from California, San Francisco, San Diego, here to do a universal event with hip hop, break dancing, and popping.  Now we are opening the doors and channels in Vancouver to the rest of the b-boy world.  We are hoping that Canada will become a b-boy destination, like Australia, Paris, Japan, and France.  So Vancouver can become one of those destinations.  We are bringing this brand, Mighty 4, here.  It is good for kids, to learn about the history of b-boying, and the international scene.  And this is for all the people who are paying with their blood and tears to get here.  They travel, with no pay, well barely any pay.  It gives people an opportunity to get into the scene, without battling in the United States, and other international places.This is done in collaboration with my shop, Architect, and my brand, Killa. C1rca footwear donated to this event so they are a part of this too.  We have Jheric  Hizon, who is one of the co-founders of this event.  Me and him are part of the same crew, called Dead Reckoning.  So we are giving people the opportunity to battle closer to home, which is something we never had.

Can you explain the different styles that will be featured here today and who will be judging? D: All the styles will be here today: hip hop, break dancing, and popping.  And the judges today are: Bionic Man from Supreme Soul and Rockforce Crew, Eddie Stylez from Jabbawockeez, Paulskee is also from Rockforce Crew, and Vietnam from Killa4nia and Rockforce crew.  And we have Kelly Konno, who is part of Janet Jackson’s company called Triple Threat.  They have a great dance program there.  But basically, we’re all trying to give youth a good start.So this is about giving more exposure for the kids?D: Yeah exactly.  For me, I use to battle, you know, in the scene, and I use to do this every week and now I am doing this to give back.  We are trying to give the youth the opportunity that we never had before, so it will make it easier for them to gain experience and recognition.Are you hoping that this event will be an annual thing? D: Yes we will have a big event every 6 months, and smaller ones every month.  And it will be positive.  It will keep kids out of trouble and give them something to work toward and practice.   I mean, the people we have here today, they are athletes.Later I had the chance to chat with Vietnam, and when I asked him what he hopes MIGHTY 4 can do for Vancouver, he said:

“We’re hoping that it’ll give kids something to do, other than get into trouble in gangs and stuff.  We want to bring more people into the wonderful world of hip hop.”

This is what Bionic Man had to say about Vancouver’s b-boy culture:

“It’s always different, wherever you go.  Everyone has different taste.  But especially Vancouver, you guys have mad style.”

For information about upcoming events, check out Mighty 4’s website here.