After a booming pilot project in 2011
Sifting through 114 crews from Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth, seven of the best were finally chosen to take on the formidable Artistic Intelligence who blew the crowds away last year with their hip hop routine.
Specialising in pantsula, isbhujwa, krump, hip hop and breaking, the crews competed for a trip to Brazil to see the world’s best do their thing at Red Bull’s BC One in Rio de Janeiro.
Hlaks, Ninja Turtles, Phly Nationa, Real Actions Juniors, Artistic Intelligence, Soulistic Fusion and this year’s winners The Reptilez battled it out, culminating in an epic final between V.I.N.T.A.G.E. and The Reptilez in Newtown, Johannesburg.
The crews gave up every last bead of sweat in the pursuit of glory – and bragging rights.
Competing with The Reptilez for a spot in the finals, Ninja Turtles member Charl van der Westhuizen spoke of his love for music and dance: “It goes with the heartbeat. You feel it in your bones. That’s what hip hop music is.”
But The Reptilez deservedly nabbed the honours of Red Bull Beat Battle Champions 2012 at Bassline on May 26, taking V.I.N.T.A.G.E. out in the finals with their smooth style.