World Hip Hop Dance Championship

The World Hip Hop Dance Championship is an international hip-hop dance competition created in 2002 by Hip Hop International co-founders Howard and Karen Schwartz, who also created the competitive dance reality television series America's Best Dance Crew.[1] The competition is considered the largest dance competition in the world with more than 50 countries competing each year.[2][3] The competition has been held since its inception in 2002, except in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

World Hip-Hop Dance Championship
IndustryDance competition and entertainment
GenreHip-hop
Founded2002
FounderHoward and Karen Schwartz
Headquarters,
Websitehiphopinternational.com

This year's competition will be held on 3-10 August 2024 at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona.[4]

Format edit

The week-long competition will start with the parade of nations, and will be followed by a series of competitions and elimination rounds over proceeding days.[3] The competition has three rounds:[5] the preliminary round, where all the crews will perform through a random computer drawing conducted by the event organizer, the semi-final round, where the performance order will be based on the reverse order of preliminary round scores, and the final round. However, a decision to conduct a semifinal round is determined by the event organizer.

Every routine is assessed based on performance and skill criteria to achieve the maximum score of 10 points. As to the performance criteria, the judges will reward routines based on creativity, staging, spacing, formations, and level changes, showmanship, style presence and attire, and entertainment value or audience appeal. As to the skill criteria, the judges will evaluate the performance based on musicality, synchronization or timing, execution or controlled mobility and stabilization, difficulty of execution of authentic dance styles, and variety of dance styles, which includes, but not limited to hip hop dance, locking, popping, breaking, whacking, voguing, house dance, party dances or club dances (popular or trendy dances), krumping, stepping/gumboot dance, dancehall, and afro style.

A crew “identifiably performing” three (3) or more dance styles will receive the maximum of one point (1.0) or the full 10%. A crew “identifiably performing” two (2) dance styles will receive a maximum of point 5 (.5). A crew “identifiably performing” one (1) dance style will receive a maximum of point two five (.25). Crews must also be careful not to overshadow or lose the identifying fundamentals, look, presence and authenticity of street/hip hop or risk a deduction.[6]

Judging panel edit

A panel of judges will consist of either six (6) persons and a head judge for competitions with 50 crews or less or eight (8) persons plus a head judge for competitions with more than 50 crews. Half of the judges will assess the routine based on the performance criteria and the other half on the skill criteria. In a panel of eight (8) judges, however, the highest and lowest performance and skill scores will be discarded, and the remainder averaged and then totaled for the calculation for the final score. The panel of eight (8) judges also has a deduction judge, whose primary responsibility is to accurately assess the crew and their routine for any infringements of the list of deductions and immediately deduct points for such infringements.[6]

Divisions and participation limits edit

The following are the different divisions in the competition, with the required number of members per crew and their age limit:

  • Junior division: 5-9 crew members, ages 7-12
  • Varsity division: 5-9 crew members, ages 13-17
  • Adult division: 5-9 crew members, ages 18 and older
  • MiniCrew division: 3 crew members, no age limit
  • MegaCrew division: 10-40 crew members, no age limit
  • Junior Varsity (JV) MegaCrew division: 10-40 crew members, ages 17 and below

A crew member whose age falls between two age divisions in the competition year (ending December 31) may compete in either division within that year. For instance, a 12-year-old turning 13 at the end of the year may compete in the Junior or Varsity division. Likewise, an 17-year-old turning 18 within the competition year can compete as a Varsity or Adult.[7]

A crew member may compete in not more than two divisions. Moreover, a crew may not have more than one-third (1/3) of its crew members compete on another crew in the same division, and the crew members in a MegaCrew may not include more than one-third (1/3) of the crew members in a JV MegaCrew competing in the same competition.[6]

Defending champions edit

The defending champion is the winning crew from the previous year’s championship and may return to defend their title. The defending champion must perform their routine in the semifinal round and receive a score. If there is not a semifinal round, the defending champion will perform in the preliminary round and receive a score.

The final round of the competition will include the crews who qualified in the semi-final round plus the defending champion, if there is one. The defending champion will automatically advance to the final round and will be the last to compete in the performance order regardless of their preliminary or semi-final round score.[6]

Penalties edit

The following actions are not allowed during the competition. A crew who will commit any of the following will receive a deduction (usually between 0.05 to 1 point per action) or disqualification, depending on its severity:

  • Late start - a crew who fails to appear on stage and strike a starting position within twenty (20) seconds after being introduced.
  • Pre-start - a pre-start occurs when prior to taking the start position; the crew demonstrates excessive introductions or displays for longer than ten (10) seconds after all crew members have entered the stage.
  • False start - a movement made by one or more crew members prior to the opening signal/beep/start of music that causes the crew to request a restart.
  • No show - a crew who fails to appear on the stage and initiate the starting position within sixty (60) seconds after being called.
  • Incorrect stage exit - crews must exit from the designated areas only. Jumping or flipping off the stage is prohibited.
  • Grandstanding - an excessive post performance display or posing at the end of the routine.
  • Lewd gestures - lewd gestures, comments or movements are any body language, vocals or action that exaggerates and or introduces indecent, obscene, vulgar, sexual or offensive content to a routine, including but not limited to crotch grabbing, butt slapping, flipping off, etc.
  • Overly dangerous moves - a move that does not clearly belong to any dance style that can result in severe injury to the crew member if not executed well.
  • Backstage crossovers - traveling behind the stage to get to the other side of the stage, out of sight of the audience.
  • Major fall - either a crew member falls from a lift or support that is unrecoverable, or a crew member falls during the performance that is unrecoverable.
  • Minor fall - either a highly noticeable, accidental error during the performance that is recoverable or a crew member stumbles, trips, or falls during the performance that is recoverable.

Other actions may also cause point deductions, such as not adhering to the required routine length, excessive use of cheer, gymnastic, excessive theatrical, cultural, folkloric, or traditional dance elements within the routine or acrobatic moves, inappropriate or not intact attires, use of body oils, paints or other substances applied to the face/body that could affect the performance area and/or create or enhance an excessive theatrical appearance, clothing or props tossed into audience (per occurrence), use of props, among others.[6]

Winners and podium finishers edit

By number of wins and podiums per country edit

The table uses official data provided by Hip Hop International, which excludes the world battles.[8][9][10]

   The country did not compete in the most recent contest.
Rank Name       Total
1   Japan 14 18 14 46
2   New Zealand 12 14 14 40
3   Canada 12 9 11 32
4   United States 11 12 9 32
5   Philippines 8 4 10 22
6   Thailand 6 2 1 9
7   Russia 5 2 1 8
8   Mexico 3 3 2 8
9   France 2 0 1 3
9   United Kingdom 2 0 1 3
11   Argentina 2 0 0 2
12   Trinidad & Tobago 1 2 1 4
13   South Korea 1 1 1 3
14   Netherlands 1 0 1 2
15   Australia 0 3 1 4
16   Dominican Republic 0 3 0 3
17   Italy 0 1 1 2
17   Malaysia 0 1 1 2
19   Spain 0 1 0 1
20   India 0 0 2 2
20   Ireland 0 0 2 2
22   Singapore 0 0 1 1

By division edit

Adult division edit

Year   Gold   Silver   Bronze
2002   Total Workout Dance Crew
2003   Extreme   Urban Moves   CS Allstars
2004   Extreme   Eclectik   Foundation
2005   Plague
2006   Philippine All-Stars   Dziah   Eclectik
2007   Eclectik   Kaba Modern   Philippine All-Stars
2008   Philippine All-Stars   Eclectik   Kaba Modern
2009   R.A.F. Crew   Neutral Zone Adults   Joyce & The Boys
2010   ReQuest   Poreotics   Fly Girlz
2011   Plague   ReQuest   Instant Noodles
2012   The Crew   Neutral Zone   Academy of Villains
2013   Rockwell Family   Identity   Elecoldxhot
2014   Brotherhood   Zboyz   Rockwell Family
2015   The Bradas   Romançon   Kings United
2016   The Bradas   Prophecy   Outlawz
2017   S-Rank   Monspace Malaysia All Star   The D
2018   CBAction   Da Republik   The Peepz
2019   Banda ILL   Awesome   LFG
2021   Banda ILL   Woodpecker   The Lions
2022   Awesome   Sweet Feet   I-Descendant
2023   HQ   Sweet Feet   I-Descendant

Varsity division edit

Year   Gold   Silver   Bronze
2002   Wanted Crew
2003   Uncutt   Future Shock   Rock Wellness
2004   4 Real   Future Shock   Urban Style
2005   Future Shock   Hurricanes
2006   Future Shock   Hip Hop Connxion Varsity   Kana-Boon!
2007   The Unit   Irratik   Fearless
2008   Sweet & Sour   Kana-Boon!   FDC Supremacy
2009   ReQuest   Irratik   Kana-Boon!
2010   Zero   Illest Vibe   Sorority
2011   Sorority   Star Team Varsity   IDK
2012   Sol-T-Shine   Sorority   J.B. Star Varsity
2013   Brotherhood   Sol-T-Shine   Sorority
2014   J.B. Star Varsity   Duchesses   Sol-T-Shine
2015   Kana-Boon!   Legit Status   J.B. Star Varsity
2016   Kana-Boon!   J.B. Star Varsity   The Alliance
2017   TLxWC   Kana-Boon!   Flip
2018   Kana-Boon!   Kingsmen   Masque
2019   Swagganauts   Kana-Boon!   Masque
2021   Kana-Boon!   GVRMNT Varsity   Rebellious
2022   Kana-Boon!   Swagganauts   Alpha Crew
2023   Kana-Boon!   Swagganauts   Outkasts

Junior division edit

Year   Gold   Silver   Bronze
2002   Divas
2003   Groove   2 Hot   Mini Shock
2004   Junction8   Mini Shock   Groove
2006   Mini Shock   Next Jr.   Streets Ahead
2007   Freshh   Next Jr.   Tom Boy
2008   Next Jr.   Sound Energy   Jukebox Jnrs
2009   Lil' Phunk Boyz   Monsoon   Freshh
2010   Star Team   Freshh 2.0   Lil Hustlers
2011   Bubblegum   Lil Saintz   Star Team
2012   Bubblegum   Flip   Onizawa Ikka
2013   Flip   Bubblegum   Shinyy-T
2014   Freshh 2.0   Tao   Bubblegum
2015   Chapkidz   Next Jr.   Youngster
2016   Teenagers   Scream   Bubblegum
2017   Blast   Queen BZ   Next Jr.
2018   Awesome Junior   Next Jr.   Freshh 2.0
2019   Awesome Junior   Next Jr.   Lil Saints
2021   Funky Monkey   Awesome Junior   Kana Boon! Jr.
2022   Awesome Junior   Next Jr.   I Dass All Your Team
2023   Next Jr.   Monsoon   J.B. Star

Megacrew division edit

Year   Gold   Silver   Bronze
2011   The Royal Family   Super Galactic Beat Manipulators   Praise Team
2012   The Royal Family   GRV   UP Streetdance Club
2013   The Royal Family   Praise Team   UP Streetdance Club
2014   A-Team   ID Co   Flyographers Dance Team
2015   Lock N Lols   The Royal Family   A-Team
2016   UPeepz   Lock N Lols   Royal Family Varsity
2017   UPeepz   Da Republik   Legit Status
2018   The Jukebox   Fusion   Kindred
2019   Kana-Boon! All Star   The Jukebox   Legit Status
2021   Art of Motion   J.B. Star   Kana-Boon! All Star
2022   DM Nation   Chapkis Dance Family   Mega Unity
2023   Legit Status   Da Republik   UP Streetdance Club

Minicrew division edit

Year   Gold   Silver   Bronze
2019   CBAction   Braids   FRZM Movement
2021   SixOneFour   Pioneer Crew   Fuki
2022   Pride Troopers   Trixss   SixOneFour
2023   Phase 3   ID3   Pride Troopers

Junior varsity megacrew division edit

Year   Gold   Silver   Bronze
2022   Awesome Junior MegaCrew   Yung ID   Freshh Megacrew
2023   Awesome Junior MegaCrew   Yung ID   Chapkidz

Highest points obtained by division edit

The table shows the highest points obtained in each division on a maximum of 10 points.

Division Year Country Group Points
Adult 2006   Philippines Philippine All-Stars 9.42
MegaCrew 2013   New Zealand The Royal Family 9.00
Varsity 2009 ReQuest 8.57
Junior 2013   Canada Flip 8.55
Junior MegaCrew 2022   Thailand Awesome Junior MegaCrew 7.97
MiniCrew 2019   Argentina CBAction 7.59

World battles edit

All styles edit

Year Division Winners Ref.
Country Group/Dancer
2011 Solo Dancers   United States J Boogie
2012 Solo Dancers   France Larry (Les Twins) [11]
2013 Solo Dancers   United States Frank Sinatra [12]
2014 2vs2   United States Furious Styles [13]
2016 2vs2   South Korea Wacky Rhythm Gate [14]
2017 2vs2   United States The Squad FL [15]
2018 2vs2   United States
  Israel
Badnewz + Aladdin [16]
2019 2vs2   China Skille + Super Sean [17]
2022 2vs2   United States J Noy + The Crown [18]
2023 Solo Dancers   France Bboy Vico [19]

Breaking edit

Year Division Winners Ref.
Country Group/Dancer
2008 Adult   United States Knucklehead Zoo
2009 Adult   Philippines Philippine All-Stars
2011 Adult   United States Fallen Kings
2012 Adult   United States Fallen Kings [20]
2013 Adult   United States Massive Knuckleheads [21]
2014 Solo Dancers   United States The Diss [22]
2016 Solo Dancers   China Bboy Keven [23]
2017 Solo Dancers   Russia Frog [24]
2018 Solo Dancers   United States Conrad [25]
2019 Solo Dancers   United States Moose Mzk [26]

1vs1 Locking edit

Year Winners Ref.
Country Dancer
2008   Germany Jo Dance
2009   United States Omar Thomas
2011   United States Tiffany Bong
2012   United States Hurrikane [27]
2013   United States Fire Lock [28]
2014   United States Joe Styles [29]
2016   United States Riot [30]
2017   South Korea Re-Bel [31]
2018   United States Glytch [32]
2019   Japan Natsuna [33]

1vs1 Popping edit

Year Winners Ref.
Country Dancer
2008   United States Poppin' John
2009   France Marie Poppins
2011   United States Bionic
2012   United States Big Heart Break [34]
2013   United States Kid Boogie [35]
2014   United States Slim Boogie [36]
2016    Switzerland Poppin C [37]
2017   Canada Monsta Pop [38]
2018   Japan Madoka Suzuki [39]
2019   China Sean [40]

1vs1 Whacking edit

Year Winners Ref.
Country Dancer
2019   Netherlands Shahin [41]

References edit

  1. ^ Mendoza-Dayrit, Mylene (15 August 2023). "Pinoy dance crews snag podium finish once again in World Hip-Hop Competition". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  2. ^ Jordan, Miriam (10 August 2015). "Who's Popping in Hip Hop? South Koreans and Other Foreign Crews". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  3. ^ a b Snell, Brianne (31 July 2023). "Hip Hop International Will Host the World Hip Hop Dance Championship from July 31 – August 6 in Arizona, Powered by vFairs Technology". vFairs. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Netherlands Hip-Hop Dance Championship". MECC Maastricht. 3 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  5. ^ Fuhrman, Dillon (31 July 2023). "Arizona hosts World Hip-Hop Dance Championship". KYMA-DT. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e "World Hip Hop Dance Championship Official Rules and Regulations" (PDF). Hiphop International. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  7. ^ "World Hip Hop Dance Championship". Hiphop International. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Medalists". Hiphop International. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  9. ^ "2015 World Medalists". Hiphop International. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Past Scores and Results | Hip Hop International". Hiphop International. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  11. ^ "2012 USA HIP HOP DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS - All Styles" (PDF). Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  12. ^ "2013 World All Styles Battle" (PDF). Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  13. ^ "2014 All Styles World Battles" (PDF). Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  14. ^ "2016 All Styles World Battles". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  15. ^ "2017 All Styles World Battles". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  16. ^ "2018 All Styles World Battles". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  17. ^ "2019 World Battles - All Styles". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  18. ^ "2022 World Battles - All Styles". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  19. ^ "2023 World Battles - 1vs1 All Styles". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  20. ^ "2012 USA HIP HOP DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS - B-Boy" (PDF). Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  21. ^ "2013 World B-Boy Battle" (PDF). Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  22. ^ "2014 B-Boy/B-Girl World Battles" (PDF). Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  23. ^ "2016 Breaking World Battles". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  24. ^ "2017 Breaking World Battles". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  25. ^ "2018 Breaking World Battles". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  26. ^ "2019 World Battles - 1vs1 Breaking". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  27. ^ "2012 USA HIP HOP DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS - Locking" (PDF). Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  28. ^ "2013 World Locking Battle" (PDF). Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  29. ^ "2014 Locking World Battles" (PDF). Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  30. ^ "2016 Locking World Battles". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  31. ^ "2017 Locking World Battles". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  32. ^ "2018 Locking World Battles". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  33. ^ "2019 World Battles - 1vs1 Locking". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  34. ^ "2012 USA HIP HOP DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS - Popping" (PDF). Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  35. ^ "2013 World Popping Battle" (PDF). Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  36. ^ "2014 Locking World Battles" (PDF). Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  37. ^ "2016 Popping World Battles". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  38. ^ "2017 Popping World Battles". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  39. ^ "2018 Popping World Battles". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  40. ^ "2019 World Battles - 1vs1 Popping". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  41. ^ "2019 World Battles - 1vs1 Whacking". Hip Hop International. Retrieved 14 August 2023.

External links edit