When two seasons of "America's Best Dance Crew" had come and gone without a single female touching the championship trophy--and very few standing in the finale at all--a team of seven dancers averse to the notion that girl groups belong in G-strings made a splash in the competition. Beat Freaks set the stage on fire from their very first performance on the "ABDC" stage onward and were a force to be reckoned with until the last flag dropped.
Unfortunately, that flag was theirs, and Quest Crew became the third B-boy group to win the competition. Beat Freaks' efforts weren't in vain, though, and the septet that urged viewers--dancers or otherwise--to "freak the dream" set the stage for all-girl troupe We Are Heroes to claim the Season 4 title.
Now, members of the crew that has performed with the likes of Madonna and Britney Spears are pursuing personal projects (one is even a proud momma!), but they are still tightly knit. Below, check out what Keeley Kaukimoce told Remote Control on behalf of her fellow dancers, take a look at the Beat Freaks website for the latest on the ladies' activities and feast your eyes on what's widely considered one of the best performances in the history of the competition.
How did the group meet?
The majority of us were active in the underground hip-hop movement but ultimately came together because we had kindred spirits and a determination to learn and inspire, and be the best representation of women in hip-hop and beyond.
What was your first "ABDC" performance like, and what was it like to hear the judges' feedback?
The very first performance was a creative introduction to our individual strengths combining into an all-styles crew. We were on fire and very excited to have this platform to say "Here we are--the Beat Freaks!" It was a great feeling to see the audience's reaction and to hear the judges' feedback. We especially love Rainen [Paguio] because he is family to us, and to have him tell the world "these girls are the truth" was amazing.
Do you have a favorite performance?
Our favorite performance was the "Magic Ball" routine. This was a special day because it was the anniversary of the loss of Maryss' brother and the week our dear friend Tiffany called to say she was in her second fight with cancer. We were in a slump, but after speaking to her in the hospital, we knew we had to pull up and do this for her. We were empowered by her fight. We screamed her name right as the crowed cheered at the top of the performance. Tiffany, also a dancer, went on the lose her battle several months later.
What do you consider your legacy on the show?
The thing that remains to this day when we speak to fans is our fight in repping hip-hop for females with integrity and skill, and our "Freak the Dream" mantra has inspired many to go on and pursue dreams that they had forgotten or given up on. They also love the fact that we didn't undress the way so many women in hip-hop are portrayed to.
When the final moments of the show ticked down, did you think that you had a chance to win?
We definitely believed there was a chance. When we won second place, you could see the room was completely divided in half. A lot of people understood our message and were really ready to see us win.
We were disappointed, but we also understood. We had crazy obstacles during that last challenge week, but we did the best we could. Like Teresa said, "We won, because our message was heard and received."
What has the path been like from the show until now?
Right after the show, there was a lot of traveling and performing. It was great! Then, as time has passed, that has slowed, and although we still perform and meet on a regular basis, all of our lives are so different. One has been touring constantly, at least three to four of us have been rising up in choreography careers, one has had a second baby and another one is doing hair. One teaches all over the world. We have very different personal lives.
What are some upcoming projects or new prospects for the group as a whole?
We are currently in rehearsals for some up-and-coming live performances and just appeared in a project for comedian Anjelah Johnson's character "Bon Qui Qui." That will be released in February. It's gonna be hilarious. We are actually in a season of "recapturing" our message. That is what keeps us going and ultimately keeps people inspired.
Tell us a little bit about "Freak the Dream."
Freak the Dream is our mantra. It means several things, but in a nutshell, it's our way of saying no matter what your dreams are, don't quit! Persevere with a fire and a fervor. Plow through, climb over, go around or knock down the mountains that you find in front of you.
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Photo: Ewan Burns
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Tags Beat Freaks, Quest Crew, We Are Heroes, Where Are They Now?
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