Latest news with #RedBullBCOneCypher
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ab-Soul Speaks On Joey Bada$$ And West Coast Rap Feud: 'It's A Sport'
Ab-Soul has something to say. After a Red Bull Spiral freestyle cypher, which also featured Big Sean, amped up the rap beef between Joey Bada$$ and seemingly the entire West Coast, the Soul Burger performer explained that he knew what to expect from the moment. 'At the end of the day, I was going to be super cool but f**k it, man. I choreographed the whole sh*t,' explained the 38-year-old to VIBE on Sunday (May 18) ahead of the Red Bull BC One Cypher breaking competition in Denver. 'Because of the whole thing with Joey and a couple of the homies. I knew he was going to have something to say about that.' 'Me and Joey are really close, obviously. And so, we had to let the world know that we are just keeping it on wax. Hip-Hop is competitive, it's a sport. It's real healthy, but it's not…it doesn't have to be disrespectful or dangerous or anything like that…We can get busy and still shake hands.' He continued to explain, 'I also wanted to synchronize it to where if you listen, we're all kind of getting at each other. Everybody is competing against each other, but it's a sibling rivalry. It's a friendly competition… That's the point we were trying to make… And that's Hip-Hop, that's intelligent movement. It's competitive, it's a sport.' Since speaking with Ab-Soul, Joey Bada$$ has traded bars with Daylyt, AZ Chike, and Ray Vaughn with some assistance from Loaded Lux. In full, Reason, Kai Ca$h, Really Jaewon, and CJ Fly have all stepped up to the mic. 'I think when it's really love, it's really like that. If it's not love, then it's not like that,' explained Ab-Soul, of maintaining brotherhood through the noise of the industry. 'I don't walk around trying to make friends. I don't walk around trying to find love. You know what I'm saying? That got to happen organically, and it's a privilege when it does. You've got to cherish it…I don't know if you got brothers or sisters. Like you done fought with your brothers or sisters too, right? But y'all still love each other too, right? I done fist fought with a lot of my best friends, and I will fight for all them too. It's that kind of thing.' More from Joey Bada$$, Serayah Announce They're Having A Baby Boy Dee-1 Explains Dislike For Rap Battle Between Joey Bada$$, Ray Vaughn, And More Joey Bada$$ Taps Loaded Lux For "My Town" Diss As Rap Spar Against The West Continues
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ab-Soul Keeps Hip-Hop's Spirit Alive At Red Bull BC One
On Sunday (May 18), over a dozen of the country's most talented breakers arrived in Denver to leave it all on the floor at the Red Bull BC One Cypher to wrap its 2025 U.S. season. In total, 16 B-Boys and 16 B-Girls — including Olympians B-Girl Logistx and B-Girl Kate — united to compete for a chance to advance to the world finals in Tokyo later this year, but first, they had to battle one another. Camaraderie is shared between the dancers as they stretch and get in the zone, but on center stage, the mutual respect is channeled into elite routines. Ahead of the main event, Red Bull hosted the competitors as well as a select group of media and content creators and offered a warm welcome into its world of breaking. This included movement workshops, workout classes, and crew battles. At the Red Bull Camp, a new 2v2 format called Breakfighter was introduced, pairing breakers with gamers in a crossover clash featuring the iconic Japanese game, Street Fighter. At stake, a chance to win a trip to the Tokyo finals. The event also featured Salt Break City, an all-girl battle that paired B-girls with all-style dancers, uniting the power of breaking with the versatility and style of street dancing. Once it was time for the BC One, the camp closed shop and the activity moved to the city's Mission Ballroom to host hundreds of ticketholders excited for the competition. Each round grew more intense as one by one, breakers were knocked out of the competition, with many of the battles close. Judged by Red Bull BC One All-Star B-Boy Taisuke, B-Girl Beta, and OG B-Boy Ken Swift of the Rock Steady Crew, each dancer was ranked on creativity, musicality, and flow. A performance from Ab-Soul kept the Hip-Hop-centered event culturally grounded as he repped California with 'All That' and 'Do Better.' 'Man you know im KRS-2,' joked the Soul Burger performer with VIBE before taking the stage. 'This is what I really came to do. I really came to represent and keep the spirit alive. Keep the roots healthy as it [Hip-Hop] grows older. You know what I'm saying, with break dancing being one of the pillars. So I'm grateful to be a part of it.' In the end, B-Girl Logistix and B-Boy Hijck rose above their competitors and earned their respective spots in the finals. 'What's important is how you put your fingerprint on this dance,' explained Hijck, the now two-time Red Bull BC One Cypher USA champion, in a statement. 'It's not just about signature moves – it's about signature style. I can't wait to represent [the] USA, but most importantly, represent Hawaii.' 'I feel proud of myself for navigating life while training for this battle,' added B-Girl Logistx, also the 2021 Red Bull BC One World Champion. 'I am grateful for this win and the people who supported me on this journey. I'm ready for Tokyo, but this time I am working my way up from the National Final. In order to do this opportunity justice, I have to win in Tokyo.' Take a look inside the Red Bull BC One Cypher below. More from Ab-Soul Speaks On Joey Bada$$ And West Coast Rap Feud: "It's A Sport" Joey Bada$$, Ab-Soul Trade Bars Amid Coastal Rhyme War With Ray Vaughn Ab-Soul Teases Possible Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl Involvement In Cryptic Post Best of 10 Rap Albums Snubbed Of The Grammys' Album Of The Year Award 21 Black Entertainers Who Are Almost EGOT Winners 11 Black-Owned Games To Play At The Next Function Or Kick Back
