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Last night’s Red Bull BC One at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City was a highly anticipated event.  As the biggest one-on-one b-boy competition in the world, being selected as a finalist is an honor in itself.  Tickets sold out in record time, the line stretched across several blocks, & the crowd waited excitedly & impatiently to storm the venue.

Inside, sixteen b-boys from eleven countries battled it out for the number one spot, but despite a strong showing from the U.S.A. courtesy of Kid Glyde (NYC), Thesis (Seattle), Morris (Sacramento) & Cloud (L.A.), they were no match for one edgy Frenchman: Lilou.

He was totally merciless, bringing a combination of mirthful spirit & sick power moves.  He defeated the Ukraine’s Kolobok in the first round, destroyed Thesis in the quarterfinals, & absolutely decimated Morris in the semis.

The final face-off was between Lilou & Cloud, who has been away from Red Bull BC One for the last four years, touring with Madonna.  The Angeleno looked at home on the elevated stage, but in the end, Lilou’s energy & attitude proved irresistible to the judges.

“You can practice everything, except charisma, & without charisma, you can’t win,” he said.

Wearing an over sized tee which read “I’M MUSLIM, DON’T PANIK”, Lilou got a strong response from the crowd.  The 25 year old from Lyon makes his living as a professional b-boy, & is used to fierce competition — even when practically everyone in the room is yelling for his opponent.

“I was so afraid because when I got on stage, all the crowd was: U-S-A! U-S-A! but that just gave me more power,” Lilou said.  The notorious French b-boy spun, threaded & dazzled his way into the number one spot — making him the first b-boy in Red Bull BC One’s six-year history to win the crowning title twice.  He first won it back in 2005 in Berlin.

As if having sixteen incredible b-boys on-stage wasn’t enough, the event was hosted by legendary MC KRS-One, who thrilled the crowd all night long.  Hip hop heads were also treated to performances by Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek, the Rock Steady Crew & even a bit of hand-waving from producer 9th Wonder.

Afterward, more than 1600 fans spilled out across 34th Street in a mess of backpacks & hoodies.  Popping & locking as they stood in groups or flagged down cabs, they did their best to impress one another & show that they could have been up on that stage too.

Words by Gala Darling

 

2.45 (11 votes)

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