Battle Of The Year 99
September 18th, Messehalle 7 - Alte Messe, Leipzig, Germany
Hosts: Spax (D), Trix (UK)
DJs: Swiftrock (USA), Leacy (UK)
Judges: Kapi (E), Speedy (Battle Squad / D), Forrest Gump (NY, USA), Tuf Tim Twist (RSC / UK), PA (Moves From The Other Side / D)
Prize-money: 3000,- DM
In memory of Jo (Spartanic Japan) - R.I.P.
German Crews:
Fresh In Attack (Berlin/Dresden)
Second Flood (Speyer)
Five Amox (Berlin)
vs.
Worldwide:
The Family (F)
Rock Force Crew (USA)
Bag of Trix (Can)
Da Boogie Crew (Ru)
Spartanic Rockers (CH/J)
Suicidal Lifestyle (H)
Freestyle Phanatix (DK)
Crazy Force Crew (CH)
Unik Version (CH)
South African Allstars (Cape Town)
Amateri (Slovakei)
Megablast (Croatia)
Da Live Broadcast (Czech Rep.)
plus many more ...
RESULTS:
1. Suicidal Lifestyle (Hungary)
2. Rock Force (USA)
3. Bag Of Trix (Canada)
4. The Family (France)
Best Show: Spartanic Rockers (Switzerland/Japan)
Best individual dancer: Vietnam (Rock Force, USA)
REPORT:
Almost 4000 people from all over the world came to see BOTY 1999 in Leipzig
on the 18th september. 15 crews from 12 different international countries
entered the competition and hundreds of b-boys and b-girls were in the crowd
and danced in the circles.
All promised artists were there and made the BOTY 1999 to a great event:
The hosts Trix and Spax entertained the audience, the DJs Swiftrock, Leacy
and Studio 17 played the right music for the b-boys and the audience.
In the first round all crews performed each about 10 minutes in front of the
international jury. The shows and routines of most of the crews were no
highlights, except some like "Fresh In Attack", "The Family" and of course
"Spartanic Rockers" who finally won the price of the best show once again
after 1998. In one of the breaks between the shows, BOTY reminded to "Jo"
from "Spartanic Rockers" who recently died. His whole crew from Japan and
Switzerland came on stage, Takeo spoke a couple of words and a short film
about "Jo" was shown. This really was a memorable moment in the BOTY
history... R.I.P. "Jo" !
After the "show round" the judges had to decide about the 4 best crews to
battle in the finals for the place 1 to 4 which was no easy job. During the
judges discussion on stage the crowd saw an amazing b-girl show with about
20 international participants. Once more the b-girls made clear that they
are getting stronger each year.
After that the hosts announced the 4 crews to battle which lead to problems
within the crews and audience, like almost every year. This year the French
crew "The Family" was not satisfied with only being in the battle for third
place against "Bag of Trix" from Canada. From the beginning on it seemed
like the French crew only came to have a revenge against "Rock Force Crew"
from the USA but this year the judges decide in another way cause "The
Family" was not showing enough (break-) dance skillz in their show. It ended
up in that the French crew denied to battle against the Canadian crew and
went of stage after the first moves. This really was a shame for the judges,
the audience, for the organiser and most of all for "Bag of Trix" who wanted
to have a fair battle but became no chance cause of "The Families"
misbehaviour. Anyway, the planned battle for third place ended up in a show
battle of "Bag of Trix" vs. The judges and some other single dancers
including Storm from "Battle Squad" who showed everybody that he is
developing his locking skillz very well !
The battle for first place was against "Rock Force Crew" (USA) - title
defenders and "Suicidal Lifestyle" (Hungary). In the first round the
hungarian crew showed a great mixture of some routines, battle moves and
strong power moves with a very hard "old school" - influence.
In the final battle, which lasted 20 minutes, the crowd saw the highest
standard of b-boying at the moment. Incredible new power moves and freezes
in the typical US style by "Rock Force Crew" and on the other side enormous
combinations once again with a lot of old school elements and influences by
"Suicidal Lifestyle". It ended in a victory of the hungarian crew which was
a fair decision and also accepted by the "Rock Force Crew" who had the best
single dancer of the night "Vietnam".
Finally the organisers hope that the crews and the audience enjoyed BOTY
1999, the athmosphere was great and relaxed and the view on the stage was
nice for everybody including the big video screen.
According the finances BOTY 1999 was a big mess, the organisers lost more
than 30.000 marks cause they needed some more spectators who maybe didn�t
come cause the event took place in far eastern Germany. But most of all the
organisers were shocked by the arrogant misbehaviour of many crews and
artists. Too many artists take the service they get at the BOTY without
thinking about it. I mean shuttle bus services, catering, accomodation and
much more. They also forget the costs which are caused by these services.
Some of the artists should think about their behaviour and also compare BOTY
to other events ! We, the organisers, for sure will change a lot of thinks
for next year and will be much more strict.
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