Ground Breakerz looking to break into the regional scene
Vincentians, be on the alert, for at any time you may feel the ground around you shake! Be not afraid, however, for itâs only the Ground Breakerz.{{more}}
A group of eleven young men from different communities across the island have joined forces to make their individual dreams come through as dancers.
Group leader, Alex Edwards, and Geno McDowall, Mikhail Greaves, Orlando Durant, Naphtali Dugan, Travis Hope, Tevin Bailey, Delroy Gregg, Zeph Martin, Andre and the newest recruit, Calvis otherwise known as Batman, are members of the group which was formed back in 2008.
That was the same year the youngsters decided to stop being rivals on the dance floor and combine their dancing skills to form the eleven member crew.
âWe all were from different crews in the past. We competed against each other on many occasions as well, but never lost the respect for each other,â Travis Hope, aka Swacko said.
The idea to form the group was that of group leader Alex Edwards.
âWe knew each of us had talent and weâve seen each other dance many times. So we all agreed to team up and combine our moves to form the crew,â said another member, Orlando âBlack Flyâ Durant.
The young men told SEARCHLIGHT on Tuesday during an exclusive interview that they all share the same passion and that is to dance.
Some indicated that they had been dancing since they were at the Primary school level, while Durant jokingly said heâs been dancing since he knew himself.
âAll when me ah baby, me ah dance,â he said.
The Ground Breakerz are not just dancers, these youngsters also possess other talents which they use to earn a living.
âWe have members of the crew who are Djâs and artistes, promoters along with our dancing that we earn a little living,â said Mikhail âKellsâ Greaves, an employee at the Central Water and Sewage Authority (CWSA).
Since the birth of the dance group, Ground Breakerz has become one of the more popular features at different shows around the island.
The crew has performed for acts such as former Soca Monarch, Skinny Fabulous, reigning Ragga Soca Monarch, Skarpyon, Fire Empress as well as at other events, most recently the Miss Unity Youth pageant where they were well received by the audience.
âWe have made a few strides here and there and people show us support and love and we want to thank them very much,â Kells expressed.
Despite the excellent reception from the persons whoâve seen them perform, the group members have expressed that they are desperately in need of more support, mainly a trust worthy management team and a proper practice facility.
âIn the past weâve had persons who say they would help us by getting gigs for us and even making overseas trips to perform. But some of those promises we never met. Some people just hustle us and looking to gain mostly for themselves, but never mind that we still pushing on because we love what we do,â Black Fly stated.
With regard to a practice facility, the Ground Breakerz dancers find themselves in some of the oddest locations just to practise a routine move.
âWeâve been on hard courts, beaches and sometimes anywhere we hear music, we practice. Some places have been gracious to us allowed us to use their facilities. Places, like the Bay View car park, Pier One night club, and now weâre getting a little assistance from Elite night club out Villa side.
âSome of us have to pay $2 to go out there. It costly to pay passage go out there, but is what we love doing so we doing it,â Kells explained.
The guys can also be seen on late evenings under the Central Market gallery practising their moves.
âItâs risky using places like those areas, but we have nowhere designated for us so we do what we can where we can.
âWe just love and enjoy what we do and it ainât even about the money. We just have a passion for dancing,â Delroy Gregg, aka Toots added.
The Ground Breakerz revealed that some of their influence comes from international recording R&B artists such as Chris Brown and Usher who are well known for their explosive dance moves, while on the regional level, names such as M.O.B, Raver Clavers and Ice from the Black Roses crew, all dance crews from Jamaica.
Capable of dancing to various genres of music, the group explained that they are not limited to only the Hip Hop beat, which is commonly used by most international dance groups, such as two of Americaâs best dance groups, JabbaWockeeZ and BreakSk8t.
âWe dance to any kind of music. Thatâs what Iâm telling you, we have such a strong passion for what we do that we create moves for different genres.â
The members also disclosed that they are preparing for an island summer tour with local artistes, First Lady and Skarpyon, scheduled for August.
âWeâre looking to accomplish more by gaining opportunities to perform on more prestigious events such as Miss SVG or Miss Carival and also trying to get a break into the regional scene and accomplish more,â Kells further stated.
During the carnival season, persons whoâve never seen the Ground Breakerz in action will have their chance as the group is also scheduled to make appearances on various shows, including the Soca Monarch show where they will be performing alongside some of this countryâs top soca artistes.(AA)
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