Team Nigeria set to thrill at world hip hop dance championship in Las Vegas

When the curtain rises for the World Hip Hop Dance Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. on August 7, 2016, history will be made as The Clique and The Future crews mount the stage to represent Nigeria. Since 2002 when the week-long World Dance Olympics has been held, this will be the first time that Nigeria will be represented by two teams.
 
The World Hip Hop Dance Championship is produced by Los Angeles based Hip Hop International (HHI). The company is also the producer of popular MTV’s Randy Jackson presents America’s Best Dance Crew, the World Battles and Urban Moves Dance Workshops. Hip Hop International Nigeria (HHIN), producers of Nigerian Hip Hop Dance Championship, is the official licensee of Hip Hop International in Nigeria.

Team Nigeria is made up of dancers from The Craft, FFD Reloaded and Bold5ive, winners, first and second runner ups respectively that performed at the 2016 Nigerian Hip Hop Dance Championship held in Lagos in April. Leading the group is Technical Director of Hip Hop International Nigeria, Mr. Mike Oseghale, which will depart Lagos for Las Vegas on Friday, August 5, 2016. 

Country Director for Hip Hop International Nigeria, Engr. Ademola Andrew Owolabi, has lamented the absence of corporate and government’s support for the team that represent youth energy. He stressed the need for government and corporate organizations to look beyond music and movies and leverage the huge potentials in dance as a tool for youth empowerment and productivity. HHIN is responsible for hosting of the qualifiers, team’s visa, airfare, feeding and accommodation in the U.S.

Unlike previous editions, cash prizes of N400,000, N300,000 and N200,000 were given to the winners, the first and second runners-up of the crew category. In addition, each of the three Battle winners in popping, locking and breaking went home with N100,000.
 
Team Nigeria will be battling alongside 3500 dancers from 50 countries including South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe for the bragging rights to be the world’s number one hip hop dance crew. The team will also have the opportunity to attend the Urban Moves Dance Workshops led by dance icons like Brian Puspos, Tight Eyez, Matt Steffanina and Parris Goebel. Plans are underway to broadcast the sojourn of Team Nigeria on AMusic Channel TV on StarTimes and on the AIT Network.