Congratulations To Hip Hop-eration

hip hoperIn further proof that age means little when you are committed enough, the oldest hip hop dance crew in the world achieved a high score by international judges at the Auckland Regional Hip Hop Championships over the weekend.

The Hip Op-eration Crew, consisting of seven dancers aged 71 to 96 years old from Waiheke Island, scored higher than some crews up to 88 years younger than they are!

“The crowd and other competitors were so surprised by their performance – they screamed and cheered from start to finish and couldn’t believe how fast they danced compared to past performances. The crowd went crazy when BB Rizzell, who is 82, was lifted high in the air in the middle of the routine,” says Hip Op-eration Crew Manager Billie Jordan.

They scored first place in the Masters Division and received a score just 0.8 points behind Bubblegum – the world champion junior dance crew.

“Everyone over looked us as competition in this event because of our age. It’s a great feeling being the underdog and then taking home a score younger crews would be proud of. Because I’m a bit unsteady on my feet these days, I performed with my walker which my homies in the crew blinged out for me,” says 96 year old dancer Kara Nelson (aka Kara Bang Bang).

“We don’t have a dance studio like other crews – and have never danced in front of a mirror. Instead we rehearse in parking lots, in paddocks, on a horse trail or at a local retirement village. If it’s a flat space and it’s free – then we make it our dance studio. We rehearse in any weather – even in the rain if we have to,” says 85 year old dancer Jack Long (aka JJ Rizzell).

“As a coach who has taught hip hop to nearly 50 elderly people, I have learnt that attitude really is everything. We may be smaller in numbers than we used to be, but we’re certainly bigger in commitment, passion, and attitude. It showed in our performance,” says Billie.

Although this is the third time the Hip Op-eration Crew have competed in the Auckland Regional Hip Hop Championships, it’s the first time they have scored competitively.

The Hip Op-eration Crew have been rehearsing their new routine to a track called Graveside Jam created for the crew by Optimus Gryme and The Sound Room for the past two months.

The crew scored 5.82 by international judges. The highest score for the evening was 7.7 and the lowest score was 5.3.