Otherwise known under his b-boy name of Scot Doo Rock, the passionate Fox has been entrenched in hip hop culture from a young age. “The sound, lyrics and the way they dressed all appealed to me,” Fox says with reverence. Now in its ninth year, the event is a showcase for young local talent and one way Fox is hoping to keep breaking alive in Australia. “It’s good to see the scene is self-sufficient with a few b-boys in each state organising jams throughout the year.” Since first launching, the format of the ABC has not strayed too far from its humble goal of promoting and fostering young b-boys and b-girls.
“My vision was always to keep the event grassroots within b-boy culture but showcase it in a way so that the general public can come [and] attend and enjoy watching the best breakers in the country compete in their own environment.” The finest breaking crews from Australia and abroad will be converging on the Northcote Town Hall, a venue that has been associated with the Melbourne breaking scene dating back to the ‘80s. Unlike past events, which were limited to dance crews with a maximum of eight members, this year’s competition is open to entire crews, who will take part in a knockout-style tournament. Along with a team from Japan, the event will feature established crews such as the Floor Pirates (ACT), Skill at Will (QLD) and Kings Only (VIC), as well as defending champs Rhythm Faction. For those that may have only been exposed to breaking through mainstream movies or footage, Fox expresses that there is more purity in the competition aspect, as opposed to a choreographed stage performance.
“The battle is the expression of the hip hop elements in their purest form. Winning really means something to these dancers so there is a lot more emotion when compared to just a stage performance.” One of Fox’s colleagues, from the acting profession, called breaking “extreme impromptu theatre.” On the day, the Australian B-Boy Championships will also play host to the Break Hall of Fame induction ceremony. This year’s presentation will honour the influential Wickid Force Breakers crew, who the veteran Fox describes as an “instrumental part” of both the Melbourne and nationwide b-boy community. “There would not be too many b-boys or b-girls in Oz who have not been influenced by them directly or indirectly.” As with any event, particularly one with a lack of local community support, money is a big factor in staging the ABC. “Sometimes I have a vision of what I want and the people I want to fly out for it but do not have the financial resources to make it happen.”
Not receiving the mainstream attention it did at its peak, Fox believes the scene could benefit from increased support in local communities. “The public awareness is still very low and I think there should be more government and community support for such events because of the incredible ability the dance has to entertain whilst breaking down all cultural, social and religious differences.” Counting himself lucky, the biggest stress he has faced so far was when the event’s venue was double booked on one particular year. “I think I lost about four years of my life because of it,” he chuckles heartily. “It’s a big financial risk and stressful for me but I just have to remember how much this dance has enriched my life.”
BY ANDREW ‘HAZARD’ HICKEY
