All the Season Four crews trickled back into Cali this week to reconnect with each other and rehearse a special number for ABDC's live finale. The excitement revved up immediately after finding out that they'd be split into three different groups for a Judges Choice performance. Check out the lineup:
Shane Sparks' group - Beat Ya Feet Kings, Massive Monkees, Southern Movement
"I Do (Represent)" Lil Jon ft. Swizz Beatz & Snoop Dogg
Lil Mama's group - Artistry In Motion, Vogue Evolution, We Are Heroes
"Girls On The Dance Floor" Far East Movement
JC Chasez's group - AfroBorike, Fr3sh, Rhythm City
"Fire Burning" Sean Kingston
A week ago, we introduced you to our new (and improved!) way of sounding off about a performance from the previous night's episode of ABDC. And because you seemed to dig the feature so much, we're giving you another crack at it (and probs a milli more if you keep saying positive things).
This time, g'head and dissect Artistry in Motion's (good? bad? fugly?) moves from Episode 2. Were they a hot, dance-hall mess ... or did the ladies get robbed?
How To Play: Check out A.I.M's doomed routine all over again, click on the "Share" button (on the player timeline) when you've got something to say, then post your comment on Facebook/Twitter to show your friends. (To see what everyone else has been sayin', just roll over the squares at the bottom of the player.) Judgment Day is here yo!
+ Like having the power to share your opinion with everyone you know? (Um, of course you do. That's kinda the point of the internet, no?) Tell us what you think of ABDC's new-school form of post-game analysis!
Y'all have been pretty vocal about wanting to see more backstage action of the crews, so I, your faithful ABDC servant, went on a mission during this week's dress rehearsal to gather every bit-o-behind-the-scenes footage I could find ... and then some! Check it out:
You've been begging for more video of this season's dance crews -- and we've been paying attention. Which is why we're introducing this here new and kind of amazing contraption that allows you to comment on ABDC performances and share your critiques with friends on Facebook and Twitter.
Watch Fr3sh take the stage one more time, then make like Lil Mama and tell us what you thought! Just click on the "Share" button (on the player timeline) when you've got something to say, then post your comment on Facebook/Twitter to show your friends. (Psssst! To see what everyone else has been sayin', just roll over the squares at the bottom of the player.)
+ Like getting in on the post-show action? Tell us what you think about ABDC's new sharing-is-caring performance vids. Hey, these days, EVERYONE's a critic!
It ain't easy being in the bottom during your first week on Dance Crew -- but for Beat Ya Feet Kings and Southern Movement, it sure felt good to get a second chance! Listen to what the two crews that came real close to being eliminated had to say after they exited the stage last night.
They could've asked the judges to pick straws because that's how close tonight's battle was between the bottom three crews. Heading into the fight, Beat Ya Feet Kings were the sure underdog, as their somewhat sloppy performance earlier in the night didn't impress any of the judges. But when it came time to battle, they were as tight as a frog's butt! Southern Movement and Fr3sh followed up with two equally great performances, making tonight's decision an unusually hard one for the first episode of the ABDC season.
Listen to what the fallen crew had to say after they were asked to walk it out in week one...
From the very beginning, Kaba Modern became a crew that set the bar for others that dared to follow in their giant dance steps. But they also became one of a handful of all-Asian crews in ABDC history -- such as SoReal Cru and last time's champs, Quest Crew -- to have been unfairly compared to one another. Well, this season's only all-Asian crew, Fr3sh, are hoping to distance themselves from stereotypes.
"We are an all-Asian crew and we embrace our heritage, but we want to be thought of as dancers, not Asian dancers," crew leader Adrian Causing told us this week. "There is nothing wrong with being compared to those crews, but we feel we have more to offer than what you've seen in the past ... We're going to surprise a lot of people."
The fourth season hasn't even begun to air, and there are already a slew of rumors floating around the ABDC blogiverse. Well, I'm here to tell you some cold, hard facts about Sunday's premiere ... the good, the bad, the totally random.
- An ABDC staple is no longer part of the weekly action. (Rhyme's with PJ Masheeda.)
- Backstage correspondent Layla Kayleigh has a new onscreen co-host!
- Shane Sparks tells one crew he thought they were "a joke".
- Mario Lopez finally reveals what hair product he uses to get that perfect 'do.
Another unrelated development: For the first time in ABDC history, crews are being allowed to keep their phones and computers on them all season long.
Check out photo highlights from the evening and stay tuned for some exclusive video from the set!
As the premiere of ABDC creeps up, we thought you'd all like to get a sneak peek at what the crews will be groovin' to during their first challenge:
FR3SH "Ante Up" by M.O.P. RHYTHM CITY "Life of a Star" by Mims BEAT YA FEET KINGS "Skillet" by Backyard Band AFROBORIKE "Aguanile" by Marc Anthony ARTISTRY IN MOTION "SFM" by Basement Jaxx VOGUE EVOLUTION "Took the Night" by Chelley WE ARE HEROES "Waters of Nazareth" by Justice SOUTHERN MOVEMENT "Sideways" by Dierks Bentley MASSIVE MONKEES "Kill Joy" by N.E.R.D.
For the first show, it's a Crew's Choice Challenge, where all nine troupes have to choose a song that best showcases their talent. After every third performance, the judges will select two crews to move on to the next show, and one that will face elimination. At the end of the night, the bottom three crews will fight to the finish in a sudden death showdown ... and one crew will be eliminated, forced to "walk it out," as they say.
At long last, we present the nine crews set to compete at the ABDCSeason 4 premiere Aug. 9!
You tell us: Did the right guys and gals make the cut? Was anyone robbed? Sound off now!
AFROBORIKE (Las Vegas, NV) – Comprised of fiery Puerto Ricans and Cubans, Afroborike is a hot Salsa crew ready to bring their own brand of raw and sexy Latin dancing to America. These dancers are hungry to experience the “American dream” and long to have the freedom of movement they have seen in American music videos.
ARTISTRY IN MOTION (North Hollywood, CA) – An all-female crew trying to break the stereotype of “bootyshakers,” they are strong-minded women who bring their own contemporary and original style called “contemp-hop.” Proud feminists, this all-girl group knows their energy, force and sex appeal make them more than capable to take on and dominate any all-male crew in their way.
BEAT YA FEET KINGS (Washington, D.C.) – This D.C. crew will take the stage with their very own dance style called “Beatin’ Ya Feet.” Their performances consist of a unique mix of footwork that could make them unstoppable. Although their style is currently only known around the D.C. area, the Kings believe they have created something the rest of the world should see and catch up to. Featured on “It’s Showtime at the Apollo” and an MTV inauguration special, they are slowly making their way into the public eye. Combined with their fresh style, this crew also exudes humility and, when they need it most, a hard energy that could make them champions.
FR3SH (Matawan, NJ) – With a unique blend of jazz and funk, Fr3sh infuses a sense of humor into their choreography and compare themselves to the movie “The Breakfast Club,” priding themselves on being rowdy and rebellious. Their mix of sarcasm, humor, cockiness and raw talent could take them all the way to the top. Read more...
