BreakLanta titles

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Atlanta has mothered some of the southeast's most talented artists in the hip-hop music industry.

If you've spent time becoming acquainted with the hip-hop scene in Atlanta, it is no surprise that the scene is small and intimate.

A few clubs, retail stores and promoters cater to the scene, such as local promoter 3 DOT Productions. 3 DOT's start began in 2001 by throwing parties at many well known venues downtown like Studio Central, Atrium, Masquerade and Deux Plex.

3 DOT has hosted an array of talented local and national deejays. In 2002 Atlanta saw the birth of a unique event by 3 DOT

Productions and Mixwell that brought together various elements of hip-hop under one roof for one evening -- Breaklanta.

The cultural elements of hip-hop are many. To name a few, deejaying/turntablism, emceeing, breaking, poppin', and graffiti art. Breaklanta is a showcase of deejay scratch, b-boy/b-girl, poppin', and graffiti battle. The cash prizes are plenty, but it's the respect for skill that is the most treasured by the winners.

Breaklanta III is a two-day event held at the Atrium in Stone Mountain the last weekend of January. If you've missed Breaklanta in the past, you're in for a big treat this year. For those who made it out last year, it only gets better.

Hundreds of local and national competitors are coming from Texas, Chicago and Florida to name a few. All the battles are timed and require competitors to strategize their skills. Miguel Godoy, a local b-boy/artist of Sound Savages Crew who competed in the first Breaklanta in February 2002, said "battles started on time and the length was sufficient enough for the crews to rep their skills."

The special guest judges at Breaklanta III are recognized nationally in the hip-hop music industry for their skills and contributions to the culture.

Speedy Legs started b-boying in the 80s which led to his co-founding of hip-hop elements along with throwing one of the southeast's biggest bboy battles, the Pro-ams, in Miami. Boy of Havikoro Crew, U- turn from Detroit and Speedy Legs will judge the crew and solo b-girl battle.

Boy, of Havikoro crew, is from the hottest crew out of Texas competing in b-boy battles worldwide. Havikoro battled in the Freestyle session seven in 2002, B-Boy summit 2000 and the Battle of the Year in Germany 2001. Boy says, "My style is more power. My crew is more dancing."

One of the emcee judges is Professor Griff of Public Enemy. He has been described as a "controversial spokesman in the second realm of his career with Public Enemy." Professor Griff, along with Kid Chaos and Proper, will judge the emcee battle.

The poppin' battle special guest judge is Aqua Boogy. He started poppin' and waving in the 80's but, it wasn't until he met Don Campbell, innovator of a dance called "locking," that Aqua Boogy realized "the true beauty of the dance lies in pure improv." Aqua Boogy has performed nationally at such events like Ultra 1999 in Miami and toured with Rabbit in the Moon, Aphrodite and Monk. Aqua Boogy, along with Air Istotle and Mikey Z, will judge the poppin' battle.

Local b-boy and graff artist Totem of Burn Unit and b-boy Mendez of Mad clout Crew in Florida will be judging the graff "black book" (sketchbook) battle.

Deejay Trails of Hip-hop Elements, is known for his old school hip-hop, funk, jazz, and soul beats.

He has played along side at events with Redman, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, and Africa Bambaataa among many others. Trails will be judging the deejay battle with deejay Rolando from New York City and special guests.

Laying down the old school hip-hop, funk and soul jams during the battles is local deejay J-Sun of More Dusty than Digital, Deejay Trails of Hip-hop Elements and Deejay Rolando of 3 DOT Productions.

The two nights is booked with many talented deejays, like Faust & Shortee, Sikora, Doc Roc, and many more. Beat boxing talents of Dres the Beatnik and emcee Iron Chef of Drow Productions will also be hosting the event along side 3 DOT.

With music tracks on Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, and being featured in various magazines like Urb, Rolling Stone, Frank, Xlr8r, and Elemental, the tag team Faust and Shortee don't stop there. The duo is featured in the documentary film, Scratch, along with pioneers of hip-hop like Grandmaster Theodore, Jurassic 5 and Q-bert.

Shortee, the dreamer, also released a DVD instructional on scratching with guest appearances of Deejay Craze and Danny the wild child.

Touring worldwide, how do the tag team Faust and Shortee exchange vows?

Well, at the turntables of course! There isn't anything they can't do from mixing hard house, techno, drum and bass, and old school hip-hop, funk and soul with scratching and layering. According to Shortee, "being a married couple creates this chemistry. This is a huge influence in our live deejay sets as well as the music we create together."

This past winter the duo were monthly residents at the Crescent Room. They'll be back the third Thursday in February. Don't miss it!

The winners of the last Breaklanta will be back to defend their titles. Among them include the Motion Disorderz crew from Milwaukee.

B-boy Check it of the Chicago Tribe joined forces with Motion Disordez. B-boy Check it throws a jam (b-boy/b-girl battle) in Chicago called City vs. City.

Check the website for details (www.chicagotribe.com). Motion Disorderz took Atlanta by storm in winning the crew, solo b-girl and graff battle. This crew brings skill, experience and raw talent to Breaklanta.

With all the special guests at Breaklanta III it will definitely not be a night to forget. Breaklanta is growing in attendance, competition and talent.

It is truly a unique cultural event. With many locals involved it is doing good things for the hip-hop scene in Atlanta by bringing together hundreds of people who all share a love for the music, dance and art of hip-hop culture.

Almost 300 competitors are registered to represent their skills in the elements of hip-hop at Breaklanta.

Local Atlanta crews such as Sound Savages, ATL Funk lords and b-girl Vendetta of Burn Unit will be representing on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at the Atrium in Stone Mountain. The doors open Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. Be sure to get there early to not miss the talent!

"Everyone's attendance, competing or not, makes Breaklanta special," said Ernesto, president of 3 DOT Productions and founder of Breaklanta.