Veteran rapper and b-boy Morgan Lewis aka Morganics returns to his old stomping grounds at Carriageworks when Sydney’s industrial arena brought together an intense program of gritty, freestyle hip-hop as part of Platform Hip Hop Festival 2011.

Hip-hop culture transcends rapping. Morganics explained, “It’s also graffiti, d-jingo, the b-boying, the break dancing. That stuff is important and it makes it richer,” he says. “Hip-hop is not just a ringtone. It’s not what it’s become in the mainstream — it can be a lot richer than that.”

Novices to entusiasts were invited to undertake hip hop workshops throughout the 2 week festival delving into popping, locking, krumping, breaking and beat boxing. The final session took to the carriages of Cityrail with battles encompassing “rap”, a rhythmic style of chanting or poetry presented in 16 bar measures or time frames; and beatboxing, a vocal technique mainly used to imitate percussive elements of the music and various technical effects of hip hop DJ’s.

For a video of the first train cypher organised by Morganics with respect to New York’s Subway Sessions, view video below:

Byline/Photo Credit Josephine Ki  www.josephineki.com.au
Photography by Morganics http://www.morganics.info/
Hip Hop Festival http://www.platformhiphop.com.au/

Fluid is a well known MC, beat boxer and bboy (break dancer) in the Australian Hip hop music and dance scene. His work in all three genres has seen him perform around Australia, Europe and Asia. Being a core member of Wickid Force Breakers, Australian Breakdance Champions, live performance credits include supporting international artists such as Snoop Dogg, The Black Eyed Peas, Kurtis Blow and Run DMC. Other live appearances include performing at the Globe International Skate board Championships, the Logies for Human Nature, Guy Sebastion and Shannon Knoll, and at fashion shows in Asia for labels such as Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. He has also featured in television commercials for Phillips, Toyota, Fruitopia, Hungry Jacks and Samsung to name just a few.

At a competition level he became the under 18 national champion at the age of 16 years before joining his current crew, Wickid Force. Together they have competed at the Planet X Summer Games (Australia), Battle of the Year Australian Break Dance Championships, Foxtel Channel V and Ecko Unltd’s Battle Royale taking out first place in all competitions. They also went on to compete at the Battle of the Year World Breakdance Championships in Germany to finish 7th out of 17 countries. Alongside his heavy performance schedule he has taught for several years, sharing his skills and knowledge with others, in particular with youth communities. One of his recent highlights include teaching workshops to children in remote indigenous Aboriginal communities all over Australia. As for the music side of things, Fluid is currently working on his solo album so stay tuned.

www.myspace.com/fluidaus

www.twitter.com/fluidmc

www.unitdstyles.com

Direct from New York City - USA Breakdancers

Ill Will

Advanced breaking class this thursday the 11th of March.

At Dance Alive Studios 107 Regent Street Chippendale.8:30-10:00pm $15

For more information 0403 720 740

Proudly supported by http://www.traversross.com.au/ and the Utopian Dream http://www.utopiandream.com.au/

http://www.aliveentertainment.com.au/