JRock has over 20 years of experience in the dance form known as Popping. Starting off as an underground battle champion in the style, JRock travelled the world competing against the best and learning directly from the creators of these Street Dance Styles. JRock has also had a long career working professionally in the industry as a Soloist, Choreographer, and Artistic Director of many projects. He was Featured in the movie Step Up 3, World renowned tv series; America's Got Talent, Finalist with "Illuminate", So You Think You Can Dance, Hulu Dance Series “LXD” -where he played the lead Villain "The Dark Doctor", and several more notable achievements.
JRock has over 15 years of teaching experience, including six years at the “Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio.” JRock also worked as a performer in the Michael Jackson One show by Cirque Du Soleil in Las Vegas, Nevada. Additionally, JRock works as a choreographer for various projects at Cirque Du Soleil. His many YouTube tutorials have helped beginners and advanced dancers alike, for many years.
On a personal level, JROCK was my first Popping teacher and mentor. I first got in touch with him during his visit to Egypt while he was touring with “Illuminate.” From that point, JRock guided myself and my crew in understanding the fundamentals of Popping.
I recently had the opportunity to get in touch with JRock and ask him a few questions that I feel would be beneficial and insightful for every dancer around the globe and specifically; Egyptian dancers.
1. How did you get into dancing/ popping?
“ It’s strange that I ended up becoming a dancer. My family is all musicians (jazz and rock) and artists (painters and graphic designers). I ended up being the only dancer in my family. The music and artistic influence was always there, a sense of rhythm. In high school around age 15 I started dancing for fun after school with the Step Team (Stepping is a dance done usually by Black Fraternities and Sororities at colleges in the United States) the team performed at halftime at our High School Basketball games. They would have their daily practices after school in the Art room, my Art teacher was also their coach. So I would be there after school working on my art projects and got to know them well, and would joke around and learn some of the routines. They ended up using me in one show as a joke, because I was white and I wasn’t a good dancer yet, but I was crazy and had rhythm! I was hooked from then on. I self taught myself through high school by watching old dance movies like Breakin’, and Beat Street. Through that I found Rocksteady Crew, and the Legend Mr Wiggles...where I saw Popping in depth for the first time. I was sold and wanted to learn that style! Followed around Mr Wiggles to Hip Hop events from age 18-22. Copying and following him...he really helped my generation learn about Street Dance before YouTube and Facebook existed."
2. Who were the key influencers that inspired you and influenced your dancing?
" Mr Wiggles was the gateway for me. Like I said, I worshipped him and didn’t realize there was an entire Popping culture existed yet. Wiggles invited me to come to a performance in Cleveland Ohio this must have been 2000 or 2001, he wanted me to meet his teachers. Which blew my mind, because I didn’t think anyone was better than Wiggles at the time. He was humble like that, he knew his popularity was through the roof, but he used his platform to educate us young dancers about the ones that came before him. So I went. That’s where I met my other main teachers...Skeeter Rabbit (RIP), Popin Pete, Boogaloo Sam, Suga Pop. That’s when I realized this dance was way deeper than I ever knew. These guys were all masters and geniuses at this art form. Later others had big influences on me like PopNTaco, BopNAndre, and Jazzy J. Each one showed me different things about dance. Really to this day I’m still learning watching old clips of the masters all the time and always looking and watching the new talent to stay up to date with this dance."
3. An advice you would give young artists and dancers?
"I think there’s a lot of good advice out there..so I’ll give some advice that is less heard or unique. What I’ve learned looking back now that I’m a little older, the reason my career lasted so long and is still going strong and that I continue to stay relevant and improving is.....I never choreographed moves. Never. Ever. No sets, no blowups, no tricks, no signature moves, nothing. Always every time I danced I freestyled. Now why this is important, we all know Popping is supposed to be a freestyle dance (unless you’re doing a show or performance) but still many and most Poppers make moves or tricks to do. What happens when you do this is you rely on those moves in situations when you’re nervous, or shooting a video, or in battles etc, and over time people get bored and know what you’re going to do already. There are even well known OGs (that I highly respect and admire) that do this as well, they do the same moves and signature set of movements almost every time they solo or do a judge showcase. It’s disappointing. Doesn’t make them less of a Legend, just disappointing to see the creativity end in such great talent. By never creating moves as a young dancer, you force yourself to create in the moment every time, and connect to the music more. It’s easier to practice because you’re not thinking of “ideas” you’re working on feels and dance and just being free. Looking back, this has defined my body of work. Don’t get me wrong there are times where I didn’t feel the music, and I had no sets or choreographed moves to pull out on the spot, and I’ve had bad solos...I’ve had plenty of bad solos or mediocre solos over my career. But that’s ok, I’ve also had magical moments where the pressure is on and I pull out moves and feels and styles that I’ve never done before or ever again. It’s worth the trade. It also keeps people guessing that I’ll do next. Never the same solo twice."
4. What do you think countries like Egypt that are new to the culture should be doing to grow?
" Organize small local events. Always support the Main Street Dance Styles like Breakin, Popping, Locking, House, Hip Hop...and others of course but those have stood the test of time and aren’t going anywhere. Have these events local, small, but film them, share them with the world, let the world know Egypt is on the map...it will also inspire your local dancers to be the face of Egypt in these styles. Send your best from these events to international events like Summer Dance, Freestyle Session, Juste Debout (when it was still going), but you get what I’m saying. Also; this is a new age, video is easy and cheaper than traveling...make quality videos document your scene tag others around the world. Always remember though, traveling in person is the best way to spread your reputation, Train hard and learn from the best."
5. How was your visit to Egypt and did it inspire you in anyway?
" My trip to Egypt was a highlight of my life. I’ve traveled around the world to many amazing and culturally diverse places, but really Egypt is at the top of that list. I know to Egyptians there is a great pride of the culture and history there, but what many should also realize is that Cairo is a place of history for all of mankind. Humans have to know there are so many mysteries and unanswered questions of where do we come from, why are we here. When you are on the Giza Plateau looking at the pyramids and walking inside them you feel this connection to a past, and realize that we are all one race, the human race. I will always have a special connection to Egypt as we did culturally exchange...I left Popping there and with me I took a spiritual evolution in myself, I even collected some nice handmade art in the Bazaars, that are proudly hanging in my home today. I plan to return and learn more about Egypt’s people, culture and past, which always teaches me something about myself too. Of course, I look forward to sharing more advanced lessons in Popping since I see the dance scene is growing strong since I was last there. I know there are a handful that are ready to take it to the next level."
I highly recommend if dancers want affordable lessons in Popping made in a way that feels like a 1 on 1 private lesson with JRock, check out JROCK's online lessons at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/popping
JROCK getting down with some of Swaggers crew poppers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo8z5rWzErU
JROCK's popping workshop with Swaggers crew:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiUFSF7CLRI
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