The Breakthrough Hip Hop Competition started three years ago as an outlet for struggling and undiscovered teams. Let’s call them “garage crews.” Just like bands struggle from their garages to their next gigs, dance crews are always on the lookout for another stage or another performance. Stockton is not exactly a Mecca for the hiphop dance scene. So, Rhythm Inc. decided to bring the hiphop to Stockton.

In order to publicize the events, Rhythm Inc. hosted a promotional party in the University of the Pacific’s DUC Ballroom on April 10. There were performances throughout the night and free tickets to the Breakthrough Competition were raffled to guests.

The Breakthrough event included not only a night of competition, but in addition, two days of workshops. Both days consisted of at least four hours of classes taught by Rhythm Inc. members, directors from Breakthrough teams, as well as renowned choreographers Krisuan Rosalejos of VIP San Jose, RJ Navalta from ABDC’s Supreme Soul, and Bboy Devonair from Sickstep.

This year’s Breakthrough 2k10 was the third, and by far, the largest competition thus far. The night was jam-packed with eighteen of California’s most eclectic crews. There were six teams that showcased routines: Yuppie Jointz, ThatOneCompany, Soulidified Projects, Pandora’s Myth and Silhouette, BR and VIP Breakers, and Stockton’s very own Rhythm Inc. These teams performed their routines in the hopes of showing the remaining twelve crews the caliber of talent and skill present in the hiphop world today. Breakthrough not only offered the opportunity to compete with some of the best, but also shows these developing teams where the standards are set.

Those standards were shattered on April 18, 2010 when the twelve competing teams took to the stage. The teams competing were the following: The Team, Rewind Cru, Booniez Crew, DVAS, En_tense, Main Stacks, Wrawsome, Smash Bros, On Point, Prophecy, Press P.L.A.Y., and AYoungin. The show started around 6:30 p.m. and ended promptly after four hours of nonstop dancing. The scores were close. The rankings constantly changed.

However, one team clenched the first place spot till the very end. Main Stacks from the University of California in Berkeley performed an Olympic themed routine that guaranteed them the first place trophy and $1000 check. Second place and $300 was awarded to Prophecy. Wrawsome earned the third place spot.

Even though Breakthrough 2K10 is over, Rhythm Inc. has already headed straight back to work. With SPOCOM 2010, another hiphop competition, just around the corner on May 1, it is clear that hiphop is here to stay.

Published in : Lifestyles, Volume 101: Issue 30