Thesis: “Cyphers keep the true dance vibe.”

B-boy Thesis is one of the US dancers, who is quite active not only on the local US scene but also takes part in many European competitions. Furthermore, what makes him a well-known figure is his great experience in the b-boy scene. Last, Thesis is among those b-boys whose dance arsenal extremely rich – he got everything from rhythm-dedicated top rock through dynamic footwork and multi-level transitions to dope spinning moves.

What’s up, Thesis! Let’s start the interview with the classic question. Tell us, please, how did you start back in the days?

I was first introduced to breaking in the late 90s pretty much from street performers. Around that time in Seattle, there were a lot of street musicians, artist and dancers. One happened to be Circle Of Fire and I remember seeing breaking for the first time and loved it. With no knowledge or where to begin, I later moved back down to my hometown Tucson, Arizona. That’s where I met up with friends and family members who were getting into breaking at the time, so we all decided to start it up together… about 3 years on our own is where we found out there was a class/session at a place called Skrappys, put on by a guy named Christopher Pinedo (Paranoid Android, Knuckleheads Cali). I was taught under him at first, then there I also met Nate The Killa Robot and Eric Thorough. The rest is all history from there.

Explain to us, how did you reach this kind of style, where you mix everything and do it in the right way? When did you realise that this is the right way you want to move forward?

Well, going back, I think I just had the right mentors teaching me the right ways and the right history. Also, it was never forced. Sometimes I’d feel like I’d be forcing it myself but mainly Nate and Eric taught me not to force it so much and just have fun and just break. That’s what keeps my love of this dance alive, really, not forcing it.

But yeah, with PA showing me an abstract style, Nate showing me flow and dance along with power and Eric showing me creative flow and intricacy, it all worked out in its favour.

Sets of freestyle? This probably the most asked question, according to your style. We saw you wrote something about that but explain it, please, for our readers.

For me, freestyling comes from music. It’s the music that’s gonna make you move a different way, organically. I have set for competitions and I freestyle in the cyphers. But I also freestyle my sets depending on the music. Sets can be a good way to disconnect from the music or it can be a good way to connect to the music. Your choice. Storytelling is what we do to express and explain our styles and moves. Even if it’s a set, as long as it’s your set, it’s original. After you’re comfortable with your style, moves and original self, then you can flip it and switch it up with the nature of freestyle. So really, in my opinion, and knowledge that I know, they are one and the same.

What was the most memorable trip in your life?

That’s hard to say. That’s like asking what is your favourite song when I listen to all genres, haha  There’s a different vibe to every city/country/continent. But if I had to choose one, probably Hawaii when Gravity and I worked with Mason Rose to film “The Wild Ones”… no! Japan, 2010! No! Singapore, 2017… no! Holland, 2008!… ah, see what I mean? LOL!

 What is the most annoying thing in today’s breaking scene for you? What you don’t like?

It’s a funny kind of thing nowadays with the “fan” aspect. I think it disconnects the real meaningful moments when going to a jam or even when you just meet another b-boy/b-girl. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate everyone that shows me love and to know that I inspired them in a way to motivate them to reach for higher goals, but even still it’s hard for me to call them a fan. It just doesn’t sit right with me. Even the media channels treat it as a fan base. I think that really takes away of the rawness and real respect of the culture. I think it also makes more people shy and makes someone that’s “on top” a bit less approachable which that isn’t even the case, at all. Unless that shit gets to their head and they get cocky then it’s even worse. That’s what I mean about the disconnection.

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Today everyone talks about cyphers that it’s necessary to dance in a cypher. How do you feel the cyphers? Do you enter them because it is a “must” or it must be a special one and the right moment?

I believe cyphers are what keeps the true vibe of dance alive. And this is in any dance, not just breaking. Without competitions, there will always be cyphers, maybe even better energy haha  . Yeah, but I don’t think it should ever be forced or you feel like you must cypher. I think it should always be the right moment or a special moment. That way you can really appreciate it and have a memorable cypher.

For the last years, we can see maybe not too many but quite a lot of situations of the angry touches in a battle and there is nothing done about it. Back in the days there were disqualification for that and calling it “bulls**t”. Tell us your feeling about that, please?

Yeah, I noticed that too, where I come from, that would not fly straight, at all. I guess now, maybe a lot of b-boys think it’s just normal and it’s “just a battle”. I think they forget that there’s a “battle” and then there’s “personal space”. I mean if there’s real beef, then go in the parking lot and battle but if something else happens then they probably are gonna fight and that’s just how it goes. But I don’t ever see any “real beef” anymore in battles so what’s the point of even touching or pushing. It’s childish and doesn’t even make sense, but I think real recognize real and know what it really is. Either it’s hip hop: Peace, Love, Unity and Having Fun or street shit: disrespect me and get hurt. Haha, real talk though. Some of these b-boys out here are real street, so it’s best to keep it peaceful… and just BREAK!

If you had the opportunity to choose a brand that could support your movement and sponsor you as a b-boy, which one you would choose?

Anything that promotes organic health, or anything that supports the raw fashion or art of hip hop. The only reason I don’t take any of these opportunities is that there’s not really any healthy or organic brand along with breaking. That’s why I just rep my crews on my shirts and skin only because that’s the closest thing to promoting real breaking for me… we’ll see what comes around. Hopefully, a brand that really cares about our health will come around and snap in the culture. That’ll be dope. But even still, most brands are a tricky system, there’s always something behind them that might not fly straight. But I have hope. 

Tell us, please, some name of a b-boys/b-girls/Dj’s that deserve to be known in nowadays scene?

Paranoid Android, Nate The Killa Robot, Sundance, Bounce… there’s many more, but these b-boys definitely represent something special that we should all learn about and I’m blessed to be a part of it.

You can follow Thesis on Instagram here.

Core Team is thankful to Thesis for this interview and support to our idea of spreading valuable knowledge.

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