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Kaba Modern, America’s 2nd Best Dance Crew

Apr 2, 2008 08:00AM | by Alvin Lin in Culture Entertainment People Sports

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!

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.]

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

16 Comments

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

Wewt! I love Kaba! I was so angry they didn’t get 2nd! Sigh

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

Please don’t forget to share this post with your friends!

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

I think Tony is so cute! Thank you!

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

I’m psyched that these videos are here. Thank you so much. They’re no longer available on Youtube!

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

Big Kaba fan! I couldn’t believe they didn’t make it to the finals. I mean so many people on blogs and forums believe the same. But again America seems only amazed with stunts rather than actual talent!