The Freezing winter and it’s the last weekend of November.
Us Koreanroc arrived to Japan.
All because of the Freestyle Session Japan 2008 held in Sinkiba, Tokoyo on 24th of November.
Freestyle Japan which started in 2002 had continuously held every year showed memorable battles and had built in as a succesful event.
The reason why this years Freestyle Japan 2008 is focused on is because of the great amount of Korean B.boys entering the event.
Rivers Crew. Max Crew. Ground scratch. 7 Commando.
Korea City RoadThier terror in Tokoyo will start soon.
Not only Korea but also Japan , Tiewon and etc. 80 teams signed up for this FSS Breaking Crew Battle. As well as Poppin, Locking Crew battles were held also.
Sinkiba Studio to my idea is the perfect place for this event to be held. With its big size a big number of b-boys and b-girls were allowed freely in the area.
At the place naturally Raw Circles and ciphers were made. People started checking other people’s moves and checking ones condition and so.
There was also a corner for shops with many b-boy brands. It was something to look around.
For the Pre-eliminations two circles were made and 2 battles were done at the same time. For there were 80 entering teams and the shortage of time this was the best way.
On one side Cros-1 and Storm were judging and on the other side The Next One and Orko were judging. From these judging the 16 team with the highest scores went up. After the eliminations it the tournament started.
The pre-eliminations were really tight. There were b-boys that were known widely and there were b-boys that aren’t known staying under. People were expecting on both sides. Expecting on what the teams with Namevalue would show and on the darkhourses to come up with as much power.
After ending all pre-elimination battles the 16teams were chosen. Personally I feel bad about Max Crew and
Korea City Road(TG Breakers and CAY Crew teamed up) They shoed good battles but didn’t pass into the eliminations.
After introducing the Judges formally the event official started.
The Founder of Freestyle Session, Cros-1 is a well known promoter. People see that he has put this culture up to the next level. But this time he came reppin as a Sandiago B-boy not as the director of FSS.
STORM (Battle Squad/Germany)
A living legend in Europe. Called a Genius he has judged many jams and went to many events as a guest all around the world.
ORKO (Air Force Crew)
The First B-boy in the States to be able to go around the west and east untouchable in both sides of the scene. Especially the basic powermoves is what he has brought down into the game. For his judge show he did the 1990s to a Head spin a move that represents him. Even with in that age he was still an untouchable guy.
The Next One A.K.A Maurizio
Bouncing over the boundary of both States and Europe called to be a bomb Italia’s special train Maurizio. The Next One. His perfection in bboying is a big influence to the many b-boys and b-girls around the world. For his Judge show he did his Suaside(Boomb) which shows the unchanging looks of himself.
After the Judge shows were finished
The 16 tournament started.
The 16 eliminations were continued on like before 2 battles in the two circles at the same time.
Some memorable battles from the 16-eliminations were X-TAMA vs. 7Commando. X-TAMA is a team that beat Skill Methodz in the FSS 11Year Anniversary with T-CO active in the team. 7 Commando is a team with Wing, Skim from Jinjo and Hong10(Drifters)/Differ(T.I.P) a united team. You couldn’t keep your eyes off of this battle. There were various routines and various moves from each dancer.
Also these teams gave good battles. Kansai Full Power a team united between Mortal Combat and B-girl Narumi Sinchi. Verses, Kaiten Ninja known to be the Japan representing team for this years BOTY. This battle we could see the highest level of techniques in b-boying.
Waseda Breakers a continues strong hold and a team seen as the most powerful team ‘All Area’. These teams showed good battles as well.
8-eliminations were now held in one big Circle.
The line ups for the 8-eliminations caught everybody’s attention. Rivers Crew seen as one of the winning candidates got to the 8-eliminations easily. 7 Commandos also showed one of the tightest battles in the 8-eliminatoins. There was no stepping back during the battles. And it came to a Tie.
The tie breaker worked like this. One round for each team, and From Ground Scratch’s side came Zero Nine and with his trade mark gave out various air-chairs and freeze combos with perfection. It seemed as the energy was on to Ground Scratch but Hong10 from 7Commandos came up. Hong10 still a growing gave blowing moves and showed his brand.
The result couldn’t be predicted. The Judges called for Ground Scratch’s win and the most tight battle in 8-eliminations finished.
Another Battle was between All Area vs. Kansai Full Powerz. Two teams top of the Japan scene but with totally different color. These two teams seen to represent Japan came to battle in the 8-eliminations.
Each round was tight with energy. Striking sparks during the battle Kats and Rouma were burning. And the problem solver from both teams Daiskia and KaKu were holding their position.
It seemed the battle was tight for the beginning but around the mid part of the battle Narumi and Shichain world wide b-girls came out and blew it up. They gave out various high level techniques that you wouldn’t believe that they were girls. It seemed that the B-girls brought the vibe towards Kansai Full Powerz, but then All Area with routines full of idea with the right amount of each memebers colors mixed a perfect formation they replied. All Area seemed to have prepared a lot for this.
Without a mistake all rounds were finished and ALL AREA took the win. This was how the rival battle ended.
Other battles as Found Nation(Semi finalist of the FSS 11Year Anniversary and Representing Japan in the UK Champs) verses the Formosa(The top crew in Taiwan). Formosa Took this battles win. Formosa is a crew rapidly growing, showing good looks at world wide events. Also winning the Best Show at the BOTY 2008 they are building in strong. Formosa show up great also in FSS Japan won FoundNation in the 8-eliminations and up to the Semi-finals.
And now the Semi-final line up has been made.
SEMI FINAL
Rivers Crew (Korea) vs Ground Scratch (Korea)
Formosa (Taiwan) vs All Area (Japan)
Rivers Crew and Ground Scratch meeting at the semi-finals. Both crews representing Korea there was tension between these crews even before the battle started.
Ground scratch seemed to keep on the energy they had winning the 8-eliminations to the semi-finals. Rivers Crew seemed to release the energy they held back till now and burst it out at once.
The result came out and Rivers Crew won and went up to the finals.
A crew that calls out each one of the members energy to the fullest they showed a strong look of a well organized crew.
The next Semi-Final battle is between ALL AREA and FSS Japan’s greatest dark hourse FORMOSA.
ALL AREA Showed the lead on the battle and took the win and went up to the finals. Looking at ALL AREA the members all have different styles. That is why I think that this team is the most fit for event battles.
This battle with impressive routines from both crews the result was ALL AREA’s win and FORMOSA just staying in the BEST4.
FINAL
RIVERS CREW (Korea) vs ALL AREA (Japan)
This battle was every thing that the croud was waiting for. It was on their interest.
The Battle was for 10minutes with DJ ELEMENT spinning. The Music Begin flowed out and the battle started. The tightness that can be only felt in the finals we could predict that the 10min. battle was going to be tight.
Bang Roc from Rivers Crew broke this tightness and came out to the floor first.
He finished his round clean and relaxed.
Katsu seemed to be waiting for this moment and bursted out with power. He seemed to be calleding out born with some burns and showing his flavor he finished his round.
Born without stepping back replied right away and expressed the music well expressing the lyrics and at the same time showing his skill and character.
ALL AREA seemed to have prepared a lot and their best routine came out.
With 3 bboys making a human octagon taskai going in the octagon and dancing just like the Octagon battle rules. Taskai getting into the octagon by dumbling he did his move and finished clean.
With overflowing ideas and thoughts the crowd went crazy with this.
Continuing Rivers Crew didn’t step back. With the 4memebers of zulu Kings in this team they came up with a routine that showed the deepness of the new MZK style with Tops/Ups and various Burns/Jerks and last of all Physicxs coming out with his moves finished with no problem.
ALL AREA came back with another routine.
Kazhiro being the center of this routine it was done with a powerful footwork routine. And Toski coming out with a high level of airmoves finished the routine.
Benny Ben from Rivers Crew came out flowing to the music showing his funky flavor. From ALL AREA came Katzhiro. Katzhiro now with his own brand with powerful and speedy foortwork ixed with tricks now to perfection and stability.
C4 From Rivers Crew showed up.
With his funky toprocks and tricks/Powermoves/footworks what he shows is really clean.
YOU from ALL AREA a treasure that wasn’t released till now finally came out.
With his tall body and long legs we couldn’t what kind of flow he was going to do so it caught our eyes.
Rivers Crew came out with Born/Red Foot’s perfect routine of footwork.
There moves were so alike that you seemed to be watching one in the mirror.
Finishing the routine with physic’s last move taking off his shirt showed that he was going to do his backspin. Windmill-Backspin-Halo-Double Halo-Halo- Double Halo and to Turtle. Before the battle was about to end in a minute the problem solver did his job perfectly.
Finally ALL AREA’s last round came and it seemed that the battle would end.
TKC 7 and Katsu’s routine started. TKC7/Katsu’s wild style routine and Dakashi showed up with hand pop-elbow pop going back and forward. Also with freeze combinations and toshiki finished it all. With slow Airflairs he called the crowd in and the 10minutes of battle finally ended.
It was really hard to predict which side would win. Now the Judges’ decisions were the only thing left.
First the Lockin Crew Battle awards started. Starting with Japan’s Streetdance scene Locking have been there and Japan with one of the top levels in the world hold that tittle.
LOCKING CREW BATTLE WINNER
SEVEN STARS
POPPIN CREW BATTLE WINNER
K-OGS
BREAKING CREW BATTLE WINNER
ALL AREA (JAPAN)
BREAKING CREW BATTLE 2nd PLACE
RIVERS CREW (KOREA)
2008 Freestyle Session Japan ended like this.
TOP NATION’s hosting this event KoreanRoc.com had the chance to do its first review overseas. Having another chance to be astonished with the Hip-Hop and B-boying scene in Japan.
Once again reporting that Freestyle Session Japan review has been all done well we would like to thank Top Nation and supporters for the help and the Korean B-boys and brothers that have always had interest on us and for the support.
Freestyle Session Japan will continue on.
Already looking forward to next years FSSJapan we finish our report on FSS Japan.
* FREESTYLE SESSION JAPAN 2008 HIGHLIGHTS *
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