Apr

2

2008

(13) Comments

Kaba Modern, America’s 2nd Best Dance Crew

08:00AM by Alvin Lin

Here is a follow-up to the Jabbawockeez clips from last week, about the nation’s equally beloved Asian American group ‘Kaba Modern’!  Their ridiculously synchronized and coordinated dance movements, and humorous/goofy storylines, were crowd pleasers throughout the season.  This amazing college dance crew originated from the Filipino student organization at UC-Irvine, and is currently made up of Asian Americans from all sorts of ethnic backgrounds.  The students-turned-stars on America’s Best Dance Crew were: Tony Tran, 20; Yuri Tag, 22; Mike Song, 21; Jia Huang, 24; Cindy Minowa, 20; and Lawrence Kao, 22.  In addition to their exposure from this show, they were the Silver Medalists at least year’s Hip Hop Internationals.  Like the ‘Jabbawockeez’, ‘Kaba Modern’s presence on the show was ground-breaking for many Asian Americans, who got to see Asian Americans who can dance, be creative and stylish, and also have warm, funny, and interesting personalities.  I also think Yuri Tag built a nation-wide following from the show!  All their dance clips are below.

I felt a little cheated out of not seeing a ‘Kaba Modern’ vs Jabbawockeez finale, which I had been looking to since the beginning of the show, however there is nothing to feel bad about with their 3rd place finish.  One very interesting storyline is how these dancers broke out from their parent’s expectations.  Let’s hope they inspire more AA youth into pursuing their dreams, especially in the arts and entertainment:

[And despite making it onto a big TV show, it hasn’t been easy winning their parents’ approval. Nearly all the members said they come from traditional Asian families with stereotypical hopes for their children to be successful doctors or lawyers.  Tran’s parents want him to be a pharmacist. But they begrudgingly acknowledge that dancing is an important part of his life. Huang said her dad has been trying to keep her grounded. “My dad knows this is what I want to do, he just doesn’t want me to be disillusioned, so he tells me to remember that once the show is over, that’s it,” she said. Added fellow member Lawrence Kao: “My parents want me to pursue something more stable.” For some, the show is actually starting to bridge the parental gap. “Before, my mom said she actually thought hip-hop dancing was for gang members,” said Tag, laughing. “It didn’t help that I’d come home so late afer practice.” But after she watched the live auditions, Tag said her mother was amazed by the energy of the dancers and realized that hip-hop wasn’t a bad thing.]

Again, I’m not dance maven, so here is my best attempt at describing the videos.  I noticed in the first few dances they end with a cool walk away

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Episode 0: Live Auditions

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Wearing urban wear.  Starts with gunshot sounds.  Very coordinated, smooth, and synchronized.

Episode 1: Dance Crew Pick ("Technologic" by Daft Punk)

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‘The Battle Begins’. Ridiculously synchronized again. Some robotic movies. The last song really gets the crowd going

Episode 2: Music Video Choreography ("Wall to Wall” by Chris Brown)

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‘Music Video Moves’’. Wearing all black. Is it inappropriate of me to say that Yuri, Jia, and Cindy are HOT!?  Based on clips of all the crews, I think Kaba is the best at being subtle movements and synchronization.

Episode 3: Dance Crazes ("G-Slide" by Lil Mama)

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‘Dance Craze Challenge’. This is kind of like a school theme, with backpacks on.  This one was really fun/goofy to start off, and then get into some hip hop/rap later on.

Episode 4: Movie Challenge ("Sensual Seduction” by Snoop Dogg)

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‘Movie Characters’.  Guys dressed up as geeks, the ladies as beauties.  There are a lot of really cool subtle movements in this one.  That ‘Sensual Seduction’ song at end is great.

Episode 5: Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Challenge ("Thriller" by Michael Jackson)

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‘Thriller’.  A Michael Jackson homage.  A lot of the dance moves are reminiscent of the classic music video.

Episode 6: Broadway + Hip Hop ("You’re the One That I Want” from Grease)

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‘‘Broadway Remix’. It’s got a Broadway/Grease feel to it, to hip hop music.  Another fun dance. I think this one is my favorite Kaba dance.  Great ending.

Episode 7: History of Hip Hop (Hip Hop Compliation)

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‘‘Evolution of Street Dance’. Dances to multiple songs, from old to new.  They start off wearing street sweats, and they keep… losing clothes.  The dance heats up more and more, culminating in them just going nuts to end it.

There are additional interesting fan comments here, and also over here.

aikyrie said on 04/02/08 09:51AM

Hoc said on 04/02/08 10:28AM

H0Ney said on 04/02/08 04:45PM

Sakura said on 04/02/08 05:32PM

apocynum said on 04/02/08 05:36PM

khmeresmily said on 04/02/08 06:42PM

Aaron said on 04/02/08 09:12PM

Kar Nut said on 04/04/08 02:27PM

inspector gadget said on 04/04/08 05:46PM

iPsD said on 04/04/08 10:16PM

Divinitys Creature said on 04/16/08 05:30PM

Rachel~ said on 05/09/08 02:47AM

NativePride15 said on 05/13/08 08:44AM