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Breakdancing or B-boying/girling is an athletic style of street dance usually associated with urban black youths from America and the hip hop culture.
Several blockbuster movies have been themed on breakdancing, and there are even world championships recognising the dance format.
Glendale-based Biliard Kambona and his B-street dancing crew have stepped on the stage to also claim a stake by performing well-choreographed dancing feats on the very streets of Harare.
However, what makes this group unique is their use of original Zimbabwean traditional instruments as their background beats, including mbira, marimba and rattles. Recently, the crew performed at the OBB Dance Festival at Arundel Village where they wowed the crowds with their electrifying street dancing performances. Arts correspondent, Kumbirayi Shoniwa (KS) met with Biliard Kambona (BK) and filed this interview.
KS: Where are you from and how many are you in your crew?
BK: We are based in Glendale, Mazowe. Our team is made up of seven guys, including myself.
KS: Breakdancing is associated with American hip hop. How did you end up into this type of artistic genre?
BK: I always enjoyed dancing at a very tender age, and most of my inspiration came from watching dance shows/programmes on television. I was inspired by You got Saved. I grew up watching and following Heart of the Rhythm that’s where we got most of my/our motivation from other breakdance crews.
KS: Have you performed in public before? Where and when?
BK: B-street have performed in a couple of shows in and around Harare. I have also performed in Saudi Arabia Jaddah Seasons in 2019, in 2020 I was part of a crew called “Meet my Ancestors” founded by John Falsetto which held a one-week tour in London, Great Britain. I won the gold medal in Jibilika Dance Fest in 2014 and in 2015 I was first runner up.
KS: How do you think Bboying can help to entertain youths and keep them away from bad behaviour?
BK: B-boy doesn’t only offer entertainment to the youth, but is also a source of employment to the youth. B-boy was recently introduced as a competitive sport in the 2019 Olympics. So through training and participating in dance festivals, youth can stay away from bad behaviour (drug and substance abuse ).
It is my dream to see B-boy improving and introduced in schools as a sport.
B-boy needs funding and recognition from entertainment promoters.
KS: What made you think of using traditional Zim musical instruments to accompany your performance?
BK: Dance is a universal language and we saw an opportunity of fusing our culture and American hip hop culture. We thought of creating something unique that can entertain people from diverse cultures. It also helps in marketing our country Zimbabwe through dance.
KS: What special requirements are needed to become a B-boy performer like you?
BK: Discipline is the first attribute one needs to have in order to be a professional. B-boy because one needs to train hard always attend B-boy workshops. One needs to be innovative and watch videos from top B-boy dancers from around the world. This helps you to keep online with the current B-boy dance expectations. Patience is also another key attribute because it is hard to please audience members and also to get recognition from people.
KS: What’s the future for hip hop and breakdancing in Zimbabwe?
BK: The future for Hip Hop in Zimbabwe is bright. The full cycle of Hip Hop is complete now since there is B-boy, beatboxers and graphite art.
Viewers are not guaranteed of watching and getting a complete product. For example right now hip hop is trending in Zim, it is my wish to get recognition from hip hop artistes so that we get to show the world our talent. Like I have said there is need for recognition and support from a number of stakeholders in the hip hop and dance industry.
Online Reporter