The annual Red Bull BC One breaking competition returns this year and will look to crown the South African champ to represent the country at the World Final at the end of the year.
This year the legendary DJ Ready D, rapper YoungstaCPT and DJ Azhul are teaming up to produce a compilation of music for the nationals.
Ready D says by doing this, Red Bull has given the local hip hop scene a huge boost.
“The opportunities that lie ahead are phenomenal,” he says.
Every year, thousands of breakers compete for a chance to compete at the Red Bull BC One World Final.
Sixteen B-Boys and 16 B-Girls battle it out, but only one will be crowned the champion.
With 16 World Finals hosted in major cities around the world since 2004, Red Bull BC One has over 50 qualifier events and programmes (cyphers and camps) in over 30 locations.
For countries without an event, the Red Bull BC One E-Battle gives anyone with an internet connection, anywhere in the world, a fighting chance to become their country’s next champ.
There will be four qualifier cyphers taking place in Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg in February and March over four weekends.
Ready D says he’s excited to go back to his roots.
“I'm very excited to be part of Red Bull BC One this year. My role within hip hop culture goes back to the B-boy and breaking scene as well,” he says.
“This year, myself and DJ Azhul teamed up to produce a compilation of music for the BC One, it’s also exciting to have YoungstaCPT on board.
“For Red Bull to take this step, contributes to the evolution of hip hop culture.
“Music is crucial to the breaking scene, the type of music that B-Boys and B-Girls jam to is important.
“These days the breaking scene has become so versatile it spans from the streets to platforms such as BC One and theatres.
“With this project, we hope that our touch contributes to the evolution because we chose to take a different sonic approach with our productions.”
The Red Bull BC One nationals will take place in Cape Town at the end of April.
Breakers can register on redbull.com.