Break The Funk

By Beat 1
AL 37 June 1999

In the Italian crew scene, Break The Funk, 4 guys from Cesena and Bologna, has stood out for the past year. Denis, Duna, Blade and Foglia in addition to having achieved a good technical level, have organized a series of jams of some depth such as Vibrazioni Positive and Hip Hop Summit 2. The word is out to Break The Funk, a crew that will be the talk of the town!

The big question: how did the crew come about? How did individual dancers decide to start a group?
Denis: “The group was born about a year ago. I had realized that the single does little. As much as I was going around parties, I had seen that, alone, no one would call me because a single b-boy can't do a show. In short, a group was needed and so we decided to put on Break The Funk.”

Are there any particular experiences you would like to recall so that you can map out the Break The Funk journey?
Leaf: “We have taken part in significant events maybe not huge but of strong value for Hip Hop as a culture. For example, The Groove in Mantua, we danced for concerts by Lugi and for Melma and Shit not long ago.”

And Denis if I am not mistaken danced in the Fritz Da Cat video with Esa and Lugi.
Denis: “That's right. I was the one doing windmills. Then I danced with Fighting Soul at Hip Hop Village ’98 and took part in a number of jams in northern Italy. And then as a group in Riccione with Match Music and Night Wave ’99.”

You have organized many events in my opinion significant events where you have given space to all disciplines representing Hip Hop in the real. At the level of organization have you encountered any problems?
Duna: “The problems are being able to call everyone with the little money you have. On top of that there are difficulties with venue managers who often do not understand our needs because it is new to them. For example, the need for a smooth floor or a spacious stage, etc.”
Denis: “I reiterate that the problem, with the costs covered, is to be able to invite as many people as possible to perform without excluding anyone. Unfortunately, it is obvious that not everyone can be invited. In the end, however, one rule applies: those who respect us have our respect, and those who try to screw us should expect the same from us.”

Tentative question: how is the b-boying scene in Italy?
Duna: “The scene has gotten bigger, and I am glad to see that in every city in Italy there are b-boys. Sometimes I go to a new city and find b-boys to dance with who make me feel comfortable. I think this is not so usual. We have this passion in common that binds us and brings us together in a very natural way. I think that's one of the things I like most about b-boying.”

Do you dance as a hobby or aim to become a professional?
Denis: “I am still dancing as a hobby because you need money and for money you have to work unfortunately. To reach professionalism however one has to wait until one reaches a certain level which I don't feel I have reached. However, this spurs me to give it even harder.”
Foglia: “Professionalism for sure. Our goal to succeed sooner or later: to turn our passion into our work. This is my dream.”

Do you have ideas on how to do this? What are you doing concretely?
Blade: “We are waiting for situations to develop, that is, we are waiting for a possible contract with a clothing company.”

Now suppose that overnight you are offered a contract that stipulates a decent amount of money for your performances. Would you really be willing to drop everything and give yourself up to a life of insecurity, zero retirement fund, zero tax contributions, etc.?
Blade: “Yes. What was the saying? Better a lion's day than...”

Today how do you manage to work 8 hours a day and then train in the evening?
Blade: “For now I am unemployed. From the point of view of breaking this is good, from the point of view of money, money will come.”
Leaf: “You just have to get used to it. Once you get the rhythm then it gets easier. In the beginning, however, it is hard and the breaking can be really exhausting. However, if you like it, you find the time, the will and the strength to do it.”
Denis: “It's not easy for me to dance every day. In the evening I am devastated. However, the love for this dance often makes me forget even that I am tired.”

The sucker? Who is the sucker?
Denis: “It is the person who talks too much without knowing anything. People who claim to know and maybe teach without having made a personal journey that leads to knowledge.’

Many b-boys don't listen to rap but only break beats. Do you?
Duna: “It's true that I listen to more break beats but I don't disdain rap both Italian and foreign.”

And starting from the fact that you listen to more break beats, do you consider yourself breakers or hip hoppers (i.e. b-boys who embrace at the level of true interest all  the 4 disciplines)?
Blade: “We probably care more about breaking, but that doesn't mean we don't give a damn about the rest, and that's evidenced by the fact that we organize jams not just for b-boys.”

Your greatest satisfaction?
Leaf: “The greatest satisfaction was dancing with Break The Funk. The only thing I regret is not being able to see them every day.”

And disappointment?
Denis: “Speaking of disappointments is seeing that people demand when they don't do a f**k for others and don't organize anything. They are just ready to hold mistakes against you without ever doing anything for Hip Hop.”

Can we talk about real Hip Hop and fake Hip Hop? Or is it just a matter of taste?
Denis: “For me, Hip Hop has certain codes that should not be ignored. Everyone then can have their own interpretation of Hip Hop but sticking to certain laws.”

What do you think of hardcore? Do you consider yourselves hc?
Duna: “I am for quality things. Hardcore or not, I don't care. If your stuff sucks: it sucks!”

Breakers in the beginning copy out of whole cloth everything they like. How do you relate to toys (aka beginners)?
Blade: “Steps in the beginning you take from others and there is nothing wrong with that. We've all done it I think. Then as you get into the philosophy of breaking, you realize that great breakers don't copy. I as well as my partners try not to imitate even though sometimes it is really hard because you see a step you like and you try it. However, between taking inspiration and copying there is a big difference.”