So its about that Time again. JAMES THOR PROJECT 2! Im excited to start back choreographing for a GREAT group of dancers who will definitely make my vision come to LIFE. I'm also flattered that dancers are interested in being in the project. It makes me believe that Im doing something right. The first project was definitely a success and I finally got to choreograph the way I want and show people that hip-hop isnt all about tricks and ass shaking. I've definitely learned a lot from the first and will apply those lesson learned to the second. For now...we'll just have to wait and see..

When you're good at something, people assume that you love doing it. I think people still wonder why I don't do photography anymore. Truthfully the reason why I don't do it anymore is because I don't get inspired the way I used to, the passion isnt there. I remember being a freshmen/sophomore and getting so excited when I would take a great photo. I think photography was the first thing I was ever 'good' at. It gave me the opportunity to put a fantasy into reality, and it also gave me the opportunity to meet really good people, and really shitty people lol, but more good than bad. I got see see a lot of things around town that I would definitely not have seen or been exposed to. I honestly believe when you do something you put your whole heart into it. Why strive to be mediocre when you can be the fuckin BEST. For a time, photography was my life and I think I progressed rather quickly for never taking a class and always watching America's Next Top Model haha. The reason i'm writing this is because some people think I'm wasting a 'talent' by not doing it anymore, but is it really wasting it when my heart isn't in it? This past year I was rejected when I applied for the Fashion Institute of technology in NYC. I, of course was disappointed, but it was a sigh of relief because I rather not have gotten accepted then be accepted and take the place of someone who REALLY wanted to be a photographer. I think life is full of opportunities and I'm definitely not going to put the camera away, it's just a hobby that i'll do once in a while. Who knows, maybe one day the fire might come back and I'll make a comeback, but for now it is what it is.

I wonder if its too much to rechoreogh a song I did previously, and now that Im learning my style of musicality, Im beginning to hear the beats that I didnt previously. Like LOVE LOCKDOWN....damn that beat is tooo SICK!...ugh, oh well lol

Its not nothing new if you know me that I don't really like my job, but I mean, who really does anyway? Something that keeps me going is the fact that everyday when I wake up, its one day closer to dancing, one day closer to doing something that I LOVE doing, and that is teaching dancing. Of course there are days where I get discouraged but I try to stay positive and remind myself that at the end of the day, I AM making moves and one day SOON, I WILL be doing something I want to do. The hardest part in anything is waiting for it to happen. What keeps me motivated is my dancers and all the people in the world who inspire to do things bigger than themselves.

Its awesome to finally realize that all my insecurities as far as being a choreographer was wrong. I always thought I was supposed to move a certain way, find the regular beat like everyone else, choreograph to songs that everyone else would like. At the end of the day, if what I do is making me happy then I should do what i want and not worry about what everyone else wants me to do. I think its weird now that Im finally confident enough to explore those options that I didnt before, ppl are liking the new direction and musicality that I'm going into. I dont know, I guess what im trying to say is, never doubt yourself and always believe that if what you do is making you happy, continue to do it regardless of what others think, as long as its not hurting anyone else.

Powerful Piece by Tyce DiOrio as a tribute to the breast cancer fighters




Everyone who is or have been affected by cancer can relate to this video. Last year, my brother in law Zoo Lee, lost his fight with cancer. During his battle, my sister Judy was there by his side, the one who had to stay strong, the superwoman. When I saw this video, I was instantly reminded of all the courage and strength she had during those hard last few months of his life and all the struggles she went through after his death. And Im not gonna lie, I was crying like a baby when I watching this video thinking about my sister and Zoo lol. This video is just another representation of why I love to dance.

Here are some video clips of my performances so far this year, its only the beginning!!

Hawk It Out 2009: 2nd Place and voted CROWD FAVORITE!!!



Physical Graffeeti Showcase 2009: LoveLockDown, Hit That, Genesis

I always get reminded when I do a photoshoot why i chose dancing as my favorite passion...the end

I just have to say that contemporary dance is the most beautiful and powerful style of dance ever created, I've been wanting to have someone teach me legit contemporary for a while now. Seeing all those powerful and moving pieces by Mia Michaels on sytycd is definitely inspiring and im not gonna lie, gets me teary eyed haha!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjHBXcRDv2Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij75-QWm7CU

I've been thinking about this for a long time, and I think this year will be the year that I put everything together and showcase everything that I've been wanting to do choreography wise. One thing about being a hip-hop choreographer, a lot of people have an idea of what they think hip-hop dancing is. Whether it'd be the booty shaking or the break dancing, most people expect to see that when they go to a show. So when I did choreograph pieces for PG, I had that knowledge in mind, to please the audience more than myself. I think every artist in every field struggle with that, to make money or whatever reason. Well this year, I will be showcasing pieces that I want to do to music pieces that I want to do, weird music, none of the 'commercial' songs out now, definitely wont be no 'JERKIN' lol. Some people may see my new choreography as boring or some may see it as fresh new twist to hip-hop dancing, which I hope they do, since I'm always inspired by my dance idols by their taste and style of choreography. I will be looking for at least 10 dancers that see my vision and can execute my choreography, Im really excited about what the future has in store for me. 2009 is my time!

I was at work when I heard the news that Michael Jackson died. For me, Michael Jackson as a entertainer was the greatest entertainer to grace the earth, no one will ever come close. His innovative style of dancing, singing, and overall stage presence will NEVER be matched. You know you're the best when 30+ years after you came out, people are still listening to your music and STILL trying to imitate your dancing. This is a tragic loss for the millions of fans who still adore his portfolio of work including myself who enjoyed listening to his music, including Thriller which is by the way STILL the greatest music video ever made, which came out YEARS before I was even born. No matter what the allegation are or what people say, I will remember him as the best, the greatest. RIP Michael Jackson.

When we put ourselves out there for the public to see, its natural for people to love or hate you. I think that's always going to be the case with dancing. This past year, I'd like to think myself as evolving from someone who sorta did dancing as a way to get involved on campus to something that I can't live without, as a great quote I read not too long ago said, "dancing is as close as I'll ever get to flying...". I couldn't have said it any better than that. I always wondered if people would recognize if I had made a difference in PG, or at least recognized that I could dance at least lol. I thought maybe if I knew how to freestyle, or knew how to do other flashy things, maybe I could fit the 'stereotype' for a hip-hop dancer and maybe people would give me opportunities to do other things. But then I thought, you know, I don't have to do all that, as long as I stay true to my craft, someone will give me the opportunity to teach, to lead, to do what I LOVE to do. Hopefully I will start teaching again soon, maybe to the local community, I think that will be a great opportunity and maybe start my own crew, who knows, the ideas are endless with me lol, but I've learned as long as you're humble with your 'talent' people will definitely recognize you and doors will open :)

Lately I've been tryin to decide what all styles of choreography I want to choreograph for this year. I'm almost done with my chill swag choreo that I probably will give to PG this year....but if they do decide to go to competition with it, I will DEFINITELY be in it, best believe! hahaha. I've been watching a lot of crews compete at VIBE, Fusion and Body Rock which are held at the west coast. Honestly to begin with, I didn't appreciate all the crews and their interpretation of a song, but lately whenever I watch any top crews there, I root for them like im at the even haha. So getting inspiration from all the crews, the next styles of choreography which I hope to get done this year are, Isolation, Locking/Wacking, contemporary styled hip hop piece, Rnb sexy iso...and thats it for now, but I'm sure i'll think of more stuff to do haha. anyway thats it for now..peace!

this style is sorta not the 'traditional' hip hop choreo, but i LOVE this shit like crazy!!!!
Keone Madrid-Black and Gold Choreo

Since graduating from UNCW, I've been hanging out in my apartment by myself for the most part because everyone that I know has gone home for the summer, some to return in the fall and some I will probably never get to see that often anymore, sad I know, but its the reality of life. I've been faced with reality pretty much all this year, first was probably when I didn't get into the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC for photography. That threw me into a loop hole because I did not have a plan b or whatever, I just knew I was going to get accepted, but after I didn't I figured this was God's plan for me to stay and be....normal? After not being accepted, I focused much of my energy into something that I LOVE and is really passionate about, DANCING. And yes I did choose a favorite between my two passions, photography and dancing lol. When I started dancing the spring of my Sophomore year of college, I figured it was something fun for me to do since I wasn't involved with anything on campus, and for the most part it was just something fun. It wasn't until towards the end of my junior year before Physical Graffeeti's end of the year showcase that I fell in love with it. It was like a relationship was formed between me and dancing haha. That was the first time I choreographed something (So much Betta-Janet-Intro AlterEg0 Hawk it Out if you're wondering). During that whole summer, I made it my goal to do something different, to better myself as a dancer and choreographer, and I think for a couple of months, I really transitioned myself from just a member of PG to a member that really made a difference this year (I think lol). So as my senior year is winding down, I was faced with the reality that I will have to give up being a dancer and choreographer because I have to "grow up" and be a old man i guess. It was like someone was telling me that I had to break up with my girlfriend and move on, and we just got serious LOL. ANYWAY, since I dont have cable at the moment, I decided to watch American Idol..blah blah, nothing new, there aint no Kelly clarkson, Fantasia, or Carrie Underwood up in there haha, but there was a new show premiering, a show called GLEE. I was tempted to turn off the tv, but there was a few jokes that I thought was funny so I decided to leave it on in the background. Thank God I left it on because it's actually a REALLY good show. It's about a teacher who is trying to revive the Glee Club which is like a musical club that goes to competition. He struggles with the fact that his wife is having a baby and he has to be responsible by "providing" for them so he quits his teaching job and applies for a accounting job(accounting SUCKS by the way lol). Well as he's about to leave a co-worker stops him and show tapes of him at 93 nationals competing with the Glee Club and tells him he shouldn't stop what he's passionate about. This made me think of myself because just because I'm a "old man" now and gotta take care of my responsibilities, that doesn't mean I have to stop doing things that I love. I would LOVE to teach area kids the True meaning of Hip-hop dancing, and I would do it for free because that's how much I love. I'm not sure how I'm going to do it, but somehow I will do it. This may be the reason God chose me to stay here in Wilmington instead of going to NYC, I dont know, but whatever happens in the future, I will NEVER Stop dancing!!!!!! and YOU should never stop doing things you're passionate about EITHER!

So here are my "official" graduation ceremony photos, they are ok I guess, but definitely not going to pay 200 bucks for these ok quality pics, I rather set up my stuff and photograph myself haha, OR i could just photoshop the "proof" from the photos, but that will take too long haha oh well

I thought this subject needed to be discussed.

First thing, as a dancer and choreographer who lives in a city where hip-hop dancing is not heard of, we have to look at other places to find inspiration, and most of the time its what we see on tv and on youtube.com (as you may already see from my past entries). I'm all about getting ideas from choreographers and inspiration from there on doing some movements, but when you decide to steal someone's choreography and then say it is yours and then get paid for it, there is DEFINITELY a problem. How can someone call themselves a choreographer when all you did was take someone else's choreography and then teach it to people??? How can you say you've learned from the best and was taught this and that, but your skills doesnt even say nothing about you as a dancer, and all the famous name dropping that this dude claims he knows is even worse..and you "plan to take hip-hop dancing to a new level" HA! I find that HILARIOUS!

Secondly, in March I got to participate in a school event where dancers at the university could compete for prizes. I was SO glad to have the event over and done with when it did, one because my crew practiced so much and second because half if not more of the competitors wanted to be seen, wanted to be in the limelight, and did not give a shit about the art of dancing. I'm not gonna sit here and say being cheered on isnt fun and exciting but do you get as much pleasure and satisfaction when you just dance for yourself in front of the mirror?!?? I'll just say the the people who won first and second DEFINITELY deserved it, forget third, they basically took the whole routine from Step Up 2 and performed it in front of the school, I mean, come on bruh, and they said we didnt deserve to get 2nd. (Yes Im still bitter he said it, We should've GREETED them in our mini probate scene LOL) OMG IS THAT THE BREATH!

The reason I'm so passionate about this, is because as a dancer/choreographer who loves what he's doing, its damn disrespectful when you spend countless hours coming up with choreography and have someone steal it and then get REWARDED for it. Its basically PLAGIARISM!! and we all know what that can do if you don't properly cite your papers, a big ole F! anyway that was my rant for the day...haha, heres a video of a Tony Tran, a choreographer who i love, he may not be as "famous" as those ppl that dude seems to know, but I would rather learn from Tony than from...Shayne Sparks (no offense) lol...enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caKwKcmLJ2A

I recently discovered a GREAT English artist James Morrison, after being in UNCW Dance Company and Tracee choreographed a song by him. I really like his music because he seems to sing his songs with passion, he sounds like John Mayer and Jason Mraz with some added SOUL! haha, here is a song I think you should listen to. The track is called "If you dont wanna love me"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9IjLDEtGHM

Another GREAT artist from England is Adele,

listen to her track Hometown Glory :)

As many of you may already know, I am a hip-hop dancer and I'm pretty "addicted" to it as SOME may think haha. In my defense I think anyone who has a passion for something should strive to be the best at it, whats the point of being good at something if you're just gonna waste it right? Anyways, I'm always looking for new choreographers on youtube who catches my attention with their swag or with their style of dance. Whether it is wacking or locking or poping I LOVE LOVE seeing new styles of dance. Well I just stumbled upon a style of dance that probably have been out for a while now and I love the energy of it! Its called House dance. Here is a video clip of Toybox who is in Team Millennia (one of the best crews ever!)

So I've been living at my new place here at Colonial Parke for about a week or so now and I have to say, roommates are OVERRATED haha! I'm glad to be living by myself now, tryin to be on that grown man status, but it also depresses me when I think about all the things I can't do anymore because I'm out in the real world now. Got a job with Verizon Wireless working as a customer rep for now, but hey starting salary is $27,000 a year and theres ALWAYS room for advancement! so that's baller but at the same time training is 18 weeks and I probably wont be doing anything but working and sleeping with no actual social life lol. Oh well, I guess that comes along with being a old man now. The next step in life is getting married, having kids, getting a dog, and buying a mini-van HA! Anyway, I've been working on some choreo to the song Too Cocky by Yung Keys, so far I think it's coming along pretty good, I dont know who I'll teach it to, maybe to the new members of Physical Graffeeti for a competition piece?? haha not sure yet. but since this is just a introductory blog entry I will end it here ;)

ps this is the song I'm choreographing