| The Beat Freaks | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Genres | Hip Hop, B-girls |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Website | theBeatFreaks.com |
| Members | |
| Alison “Al*Star” Faulk Teresa "Ragdoll" Espinosa Lindsey "LindseyB OUTTHERE” Blaufarb Jules "Lady Jules" Urich Keeley “LockN’ Key” Kaukimoce Rino Nakasone Razalan Marie "Maryss from Paris" Courchinoux Alex "BGirl Shorty" Welch Bonita "Bgirl Bonita" Lovett |
|
Beat Freaks is an all-female breaking dance crew from Los Angeles, California. Each of its nine members had achieved individual success dancing before the creation of the group in 2003. The Beat Freaks were featured on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew (Season 3) and finished the show as runners-up.[1]
Contents |
In 2003, the seven original members came together. five of which had previously worked together in another group called the "Groovaloos." The crew now consists of nine women: Alison "Al*Star" Faulk, Teresa Espinosa, LindseyB "OUTTHERE", Lady Jules, Keeley "LockN' Key", Rino Nakasone, Maryss from Paris, BGirl Shorty, and BGirl Bonita, with Bonita being the newest addition. With the exception of Rino and Maryss they were all born and raised in the United States; Rino was born in Okinawa, Japan and Maryss was born in Paris. Each of the crew members have appeared in music videos , films, and tours with world-renowned artists that include: Pink, Britney Spears, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Miley Cyrus, Chris Brown, The Jonas Brothers and Avril Lavigne. As individual dancers, they have made appearances on: "You Got Served", "Step Up 2: The Streets", "Stick It", "Prom Night", "Go For It!", "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam", and "B-Girl", which stars Lady Jules as the main character. In 2008, the crew was featured in the highly publicized dance battle YouTube videos with Miley Cyrus, dancing beside Miley. They also had an appearance in Justin Bieber's music video for "Somebody To Love". In 2010 they were voted Best Female Dance Crew at the World of Dance Awards.
Alison Faulk, commonly known as Al*Star, hails from southern Florida. She was unable to participate in America's Best Dance Crew, because she was on tour with Pink at the time. She does not specialize in one particular dance style, claiming she is an "all styles" dancer. She is one of the original members of Groovaloos and a part of the stage show is based on her life. She was also in the show Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
Teresa Espinosa was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She specializes in freestyle and is inspired by Michael Jackson among countless others. She has worked as a choreographer on the Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert and has toured with Janet Jackson and Britney Spears. Teresa is also a faculty member at the hip-hop dance convention Monsters of Hip-Hop. She is one of the original members of Groovaloos and a part of the stage show is based on her life.[2]
Lindsey Blaufarb was raised in San Antonio, Texas. Lindsey started off in musical theater and athletics, then later started hip hop dancing at the age of 17. She was an Air force brat and was constantly moving around.
She is inspired by her own members, having admired them before joining the group. She has been on tour with Pink and Avril Lavigne. She is one of the original members of Groovaloos and a part of the stage show is based on her life.
Julie Urich, commonly known as Lady Jules, was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and raised in Boulder, Colorado. She has many years experience doing commercials, music videos, and much more. Some commercials she has been featured in include Wal-Mart, GAP, Nike and Jolly Rancher. B-Girl Jules starred as the main character whose dreams of being a break dancer are put on hold when she is stabbed. Jules is also an animal rights activist. She works closely with a charity called The Cat House on the Kings and is a strong supporter of PETA. She is one of the original members of Groovaloos and a part of the stage show is based on her life.. [3] Jules is the one who made the first headspin ever from a lady in the fourth episode of America's Best Dance Crew which is considered the Whack Track challenge.
Keeley was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Keeley specializes in locking. Some of her accomplishments include being in My Wife and Kids, Legally Blonde, Run DMC video, and also You Got Served. She is one of the original members of Groovaloos and a part of the stage show is based on her life. Keeley is the oldest member of The Beat Freaks and is married with two children.
Born June 11, 1979, Rino grew up in Okinawa, Japan and was inspired by Michael Jackson to search the world "to meet and dance with the best". She performs with fellow Beat Freak, Maryss under the name "Geminiz." She is most recognized as one of Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Girls (Music) and one of Britney Spears dancers on the Onyx world tour along with numerous music videos. She was invited, along with Maryss
to audition for the Michael Jackson performances at the O2 Arena in London. She has also worked with artists like [[Janet
Jackson]], Missy Elliott. Her husband LeeJ Razalan is also a dancer and part of the Beat Freaks management. She is also credited as being the choreographer for top Korean artists such as BoA, Girls' Generation, SHINee, Super Junior and f(x). Her along with Maryss, were both
back-up dancers for Chris Brown's music video, "Forever" .
Born in 1980, in France and raised in Paris, France. She is French. She said she grew a love for dance after seeing Michael Jackson dance on television
when she was younger. It drove her to travel the world and want to dance with the most greatest dancers. Her moniker "Maryss" was formed from Mary
(English version of Marie) and "super star". She has an extensive resume in commercials, doing much advertisement with Sprite, Pepsi,
Old Navy, JCPenny, and iPod. She has performed with numerous artists including Missy Elliott, Common, Kovas, and [[The Black Eyed Peas]]. She has toured with Billy Crawford, Chris Brown, and Justin Timberlake. She and Rino teach at
Debbie Reynolds dance studio in Los Angeles, CA under the stage duo name The Geminiz. She and Rino were back-up dancers for [[Chris Brown (American singer)|Chris Brown]]'s music video, "Forever" .
Alex Welch, commonly referred to as BGirl Shorty, was born in Orlando, Florida, but raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is the youngest of the crew members, but said to be the most hyper and energetic of them all. Both her parents are professional ballet dancers, but she claims that when she was younger she hated dancing and strongly disliked going to the studio with her parents and seeing tutus. However, when she was 11 years old she saw a headspin during a Christina Aguilera music video and was fascinated by it. She quickly began to learn breaking and grew to love dance, learning as much different styles as she could.[4] She said prior to joining Beat Freaks, she looked up to them and dreamed of being in the crew; however, she knew they were not recruiting. That quickly changed when she found out the crew was in fact looking for an additional member that could step in for Alison during the third season of America's Best Dance Crew. When she joined, she said it was like a dream come true.[4][5] She can be seen in the movies Stick It, Date Movie, Step Up 2: The Streets, Bring It On: All or Nothing, Prom Night, and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. She has worked with Pink and Miley Cyrus. She makes appearances in the TeenNick show, The Nightlife. As an individual dancer she has appeared in four music videos: Toni Braxton's "Make My Heart", Justin Bieber's "Baby", Jonas Brothers's "Bounce," and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, all in 2010. She then danced in a world tour with the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, and promoting Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. official website. Alex was considering taking legal action against Demi Lovato after being allegedly punched by her while On tour.[6] However, no legal action was taken. Alex is currently (2011)dancing in the Britney Spears Femme Fatale World Tour.
Coming from a classically trained background in Phoenix, Arizona, Bgirl Bonita began her professional dance career performing with and choreographing for the Phoenix Mercury Hip-Hop Squad and the Phoenix Suns Dance Team. She has danced with artists P. Diddy, The Black Eyed Peas, Sean Kingston, Fergie, Jamiroquai, Wyclef Jean, Redman, The Beach Boys, Q-Tip, Eric Sermon, Rob Base, KRS-ONE and Doug E. Fresh. Not only has she had the opportunity to perform with such artists, she has also been featured in Disney's Shake It Up, Nickolodeon's Fresh Beat Band and has worked on RIO. She's been featured in commercials and also worked with Nike, Adidas, Sketchers and many more.
Before moving to Los Angeles to pursue her career, Bonita co-founded and directed Automatic Response, a non-profit dance company. bringing together the best dancers throughout the Phoenix area. After moving to LA, she became a member of the Groovaloo’s, an LA based Hip-Hop Company, where she continues to perform in their theater production of Groovaloo.
Bonita has been teaching, judging and choreographing professionally for 10 years nationally and internationally. She has bridged her classic studio training with the culture of hip-hop to produce her unique and dynamic style. She is a member of The Legendary Rock Steady Crew and was seen performing with them on “Dancing with the Stars” as well as battling with them all over the world. Crazy Legs president of RSC, is one of her biggest mentors. Bonita recently became the newest member of The BEAT FREAKS and is grateful to be dancing aside such strong, individual females who all share a love and passion for dance.
Beat Freaks are runner-ups for the third season of America's Best Dance Crew; losing to Quest Crew. Beat Freaks were the first all-female crew to make it to the finals of the competition and received much praise from judges JC Chasez, Lil Mama, and [[Shane Sparks]]. During the season they were recognized by their large banner with the logo of a bright-yellow boombox.[1] Their signature is considered to be the V hand signal, which in the U.S. means "peace". During World War II the sign was used by Winston Churchill as a sign for "Victory."
The Beat Freaks spent much of their on-air time encouraging young girls to dance and follow their dreams. Coming on to the show they came up with a campaign called "Freak the Vote."[1] Knowing that Freak the Vote would only apply on ABDC they decided to come up with something that would carry on even after the show. After discussing and collaborating as a group, they came up with "Freak the Dream."
The Beat Freaks' Illusion Challenge performance placed 6th on the Top 10 America's Best Dance Crew Performances of All Time.
As a crew they have appeared in three music videos: Diddy's "Love Come Down" in 2009, Justin Bieber's "Somebody to Love" in 2010 and Australian dance crew/rappers and singers Justice Crew's Dance With Me Ft Flo Rida in 2011. Maryss, Bonita & Shorty appeared in the video for Minus the Bear's "My Time" in 2010. Shorty also appeared in Toni Braxton Make My Heart music video in 2010. Beat Freaks also appeared at Justice Crew's "Dance With Me" Music Video.
As a crew they will be making an appearance in "Honey 2." Also,they will be in the movie Go For It. Maryss and Rino appear in LXD season 2, episode 5. Also, they will appear as a crew in an episode of Shake It Up.
In early 2010 they collaborated with Nike Women and have been heavily featured in Nike Women website.
On June 17, 2010, they performed at the NBA finals halftime show in Game 7 of Lakers vs. Celtics.
| Week | Challenge | Music | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: Sudden Death Challenge | None | Din Daa Daa - George Kranz | Safe |
| 2: Fit Test Challenge | Side Plank | Independent - Webbie featuring Lil' Boosie | |
| 3: Britney Spears Challenge | Perform the masculine and feminine sides of Britney from the video. | Womanizer - Britney Spears | |
| 4: Whack Track Challenge | Perform while doing the Carlton dance. | Pretty Fly (For a White Guy) - The Offspring | |
| 5: Illusion Challenge | Perform while making something levitate. | Freeze - T-Pain ft. Chris Brown | |
| 6: Battle of The Sexes Challenge | Incorporate the Louisville Slugger within the routine. | Hot n Cold - Katy Perry | |
| 7: Hip-Hop Decathlon Challenge | Incorporate hip-hops most difficult styles of dancing in their routine | Threading: Poker Face - Lady Gaga Tutting: Love Lockdown - Kanye West Waving: I'm in Miami Bitch (Trick) - LMFAO Housing: Closer - Ne-Yo Krumping: Get Up - 50 Cent |
|
| Last Chance to hook the voters using an original performance | "Freak The Dreams" | ||
| 8: The Live Finale | Partners: Boxcuttuhz Team Millennia |
Just Dance - Lady Gaga | Runner-Ups |
| Partner: Quest Crew |
Beggin' - Madcon |
A graphic novel titled "8 Valkyries," is currently being written by fan Gregory Michel, and is said to be inspired by the crew itself. Each member of the Beat Freaks is portrayed as a different Valkyrie that shows similar physical characteristics. The image of some of the Valkyries can be seen on their official website. They will also appear in the upcoming movie Go for It.[1]
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||