Something in the Tap Water

There was something particular about this atmosphere, energy simultaneously ubiquitous, but impossible to define. Perhaps it was the laissez-faire drinking policy, the remnants of French colonial influence, or maybe there was just something in the tap water. Whatever it may have been, perhaps it could be chalked up to the fact that New Orleans is unlike any other place in the world, a swamp haven tucked away in the Deep South. To watch it all go down firsthand, office traveled to attend the preliminary round of Red Bull’s “Dance Your Style” in the heart of this completely unique city.

From beginning to end, every dancer brought a unique style with them— with Popping, Waacking and Memphis Jookin’ all masterfully represented each finishing with a glorious hug between the two competitors and a roar from the audience. Tensions rose on the floor until only but two of the sixteen were left, but not a single person could look away while Nick Fury and Spider battled until their hearts were left on the slick Red Bull stage. office caught up with the winner, Spider Alexander, on winning the competition and going on to compete in nationals at Red Bulls Las Vegas Tournament, and what this battle and dancing in general means to him.

For someone like me who’s going into this event without prerequisite knowledge, how do you show off your creativity? How do you devise your moves? I’d imagine that there are certain moves that are nods only other dancers will get.

It’s about learning the dance culture, being a part of the dance culture. Even if you’re someone that can’t dance, can’t even wiggle your arms, you know it’s just about coming into the dance scene, and just experiencing everything. “Oh wow did he just do that? He just did that… I need to take classes!” You know? It’s more of an inspiration. Soon as you be around the dancing you’re just like “shit I need to do something like that.”

When did you get involved in the dance scene?

I got involved with dance when I was just a lil’ tadpole—my mom was a dancer in her high school years. She was a major red. My Grandmother danced with the Soul Train of the 70s, she was just movin' and groovin' around. It was just inspiration from there, you know...I was just amazed. From there, I just wanted to learn more about dance, what it was about, and I think the first dance movie I saw was Breaking 1 & 2. It inspired me more and more. Then I started looking at music videos like James Brown, Michael Jackson, and other celebrities while they were coming up. Before I knew it, I was break dancing to hip hop. I was kind of okay, then 2004, maybe 2005, this movie came out called Rise. It was a lot of clownin’ and krump. I immediately fell in love. So, I just stuck with that and other styles started following in.

Oh no shit, last weekend I just hung out with the Queen of Krump! She was really nice, and the king himself was there too.

Miss Prissy? Oh, Snap! Yeah, those two, Meeho, Tye Dyes, Dragon and Lil C’ are pretty much the pioneers that I believe in.

But you’re mixing more styles than Krump. You were kind of twirlin’ around there too. I know you said you started out break dancing, but when did you start blending other styles?

I took ballet, but it was more like, “what new can I bring to the table”. I wanted to be an all styles dancer, once I learned this style I was like, “hey I can learn this style. Oh hey, I can learn this style and this style.” Once you know the basic foundation, you can put it in so many different ways. I can be a Popper and do Waackin’. I can do Memphis Jookin’, Voguing, and I can do Chicago footwork, then switch to house. So I can do all of those, into one style, in under a minute.

If it’s completely improvisational how do you decide which style you’re going to do when a song starts playing?

It depends on what vibe of the song I’m feeling. If it’s more of an up-tempo type beat, then more than likely I’m going to start with breakdancing or house or maybe even Waackin' or Voguing, maybe Poppin’. If it’s more of a slow song, then it’s definitely going to be Poppin’ then maybe Memphis Jookin’. And if it’s just something simple, subtle beat, or even something I’ve never heard then it will probably be Memphis Jookin’, Krump, or breakdancing, and Poppin' I should say.

Let’s talk about where you’re from, what’s your background?

I’m from Memphis Tennessee, born and raised.

Which side? North? South?

South. Well, I can say I moved into parts. From the North to the North, and East. Now I’m back in the South. So, I guess I’m mainly from the South Side of Memphis.

Is there a pretty regional style of dance particular to that area?

Mmm, yeah, Memphis Jookin’.

Ha, I guess that makes sense.

It’s an amazing art that nobody really saw like that, but now the world is starting to see more. The style itself, back in the late 80s to early 90s was really more gangsta walking; then it started to develop into chopping, which is one style of Jookin', and then bucking, which is another style. And now it’s just Memphis Jookin’. So, you have those three main styles. You can see the roughest guys doing these styles. Some may be bucking, some may be Choppin', some may be doing Memphis Jookin’.

When you compete in that area and you’re doing different styles of dance, like Voguing for instance, how is it received. 

That area didn’t really like it. I was a three-time Memphis Jookin’ champ. I was king of Memphis Jookin for three years strong. Even though I was three years strong, some didn’t like me. They didn’t like that I was doing all styles or any different style to the table. But once I started to be traditional with it, I’m going to practice chopping, I’m going to practice Buckin', I’m going to practice gangsta walking some were like “alright I feel you” But honestly the most were just like “Nah that’s not Jookin’, he’s not gangsta enough. He’s not this, he’s not that.” The attitude and credence were getting to me. So after the third one, I was done. I just want to do me. After I lost the last Memphis Jookin’ wars, I was like I’m free I’m happy. I can do whatever I want, do any style, I can do me.

So you’re going to bring it out to Paris? Well, Vegas first! 

Yeah, Vegas first.

But you’re going to go to Paris.

Oh I already believe in that. I’m speaking that into existence. There’s one person who I know for sure will be there, and if he’s there, it’ll be hell. Joe Styles.

Have you battled him before?

Yes.

How did it go?

*Sighs* The last time I battled him I didn’t know he could bring that much to the table. He beat me by a slight edge. So now I have a rivalry. *Laughs* He is still like a godbrother to me, my friend.

That’s really unique to me, that’s the thing, on the floor its aggressive but then at the end y’all hug. What is it about?

It’s always about love, but a lot of dancers aren’t seeing it that way now. Now it’s about who’s the bigger top tier or whatever, who’s the best dancer. There watching people in the audience. “Oh, more people are going for this dancer. He wasn’t strong enough. He was throwing these scents, he was throwing these moves.” But where’s the love? Dance is all about love, no matter if you win or lose. Yes, it’s a competition but at the same time, there’s love.

Tell me a bit about your Spider-Man shirt.

Yeah this is my trademark, I am Spider-Man. Miles Morales is me. I am Spider-Man in dance.

What styles are you trying to bring in next? What are you trying to learn?

I’m trying to learn more House, Wharf Poppin’, and more animation. There’s this new style that people are now doing, even though it has been out for forever. It’s called light feet, or as they originally called it "Get Light." That’s more a bouncy feel with footwork and different variations with your arms and movements and explosions. So, shout out to New York for that. I’m inspired by New York.

So when you go to Vegas, what will you be bringing out?

I bring something new to the table every time, I just want to bring energy, love, and just be myself. If you don’t be yourself, who are you?