Red Bull BC One, the largest Breaking competition in the world, will make its return this year and the stakes remain as high as ever. Red Bull BC One just unveiled its 2024 United States competition schedule with the final taking place in Los Angeles.
Breaking has enjoyed quite a resurgence and much of that is due to the efforts of Red Bull BC One, which features B-Boys and B-Girls from around the globe taking on one another in a chance to represent their country for the world title. The art form that was created within the underground also enjoyed a moment in the mainstream after the 2024 Summer Olympics featured Breaking as an event.
Victor Montalvo, the bronze medalist for Team USA’s Breaking team on the men’s side, echoed the significance of Breaking being seen on the world stage in a statement.
“Before Paris, the biggest international breaking competition you wanted to win was Red Bull BC One, which has been around since 2004,” says two-time Red Bull BC One World Champion and Olympic medalist, Victor Montalvo, better known as B-Boy Victor. “Paris was the first look at competitive breaking for many people around the world, but the breaking scene has grown significantly since the 80’s. Red Bull BC One has not only played a pivotal role in my success and breaking journey, but it’s also the best event to tune into if you want a real look into the true spirit of the dance. I hope breaking’s new revival attracts even more fans to the competition.”
Source: Red Bull / Red Bull Content Pool
Hip-Hop Wired has the honor of attending past BC One events and we can attest to what B-Boy Victor expressed. The competition features some of the best dancers across the nation, and the connection within the community was beautiful to witness.
This year, the 2024 season will hold two “Regional Cyphers” serving as qualifying rounds for dancers and the winners of the qualifiers will then compete at the National Cypher in Los Angeles, which is officially the BC One National Championships event.
The first Cypher, Regional Cypher East, will take place in Philadelphia, Pa. on September 7, and the Regional Cypher West event takes place in Denver, Colo. on September 20th. Among the qualifiers will be specially invited dancers known as “wildcards” and winners of the Red Bull BC One City Cypher Series, several smaller local competitions that were held in Boston, Detroit, Miami, Minneapolis, and New York City.
Source: Red Bull / Red Bull Content Pool
A total of 16 B-Boys and eight B-Girls will face off at the Cypher East and Cypher West in the BC One’s usual bracket format featuring a panel of judges who are from the Breaking scene.
At the conclusion of the Regional Cyphers, the National Cypher festivities will begin on Thursday, September 26 with the annual Red Bull BC One Camp USA, which will be teeming with knowledgeable dancers and figures from the community and also a place for people new to Breaking to learn more about the sport. On Saturday, September 28, the BC One USA National Cypher will take place on the world-famous Venice Beach in California. The World Final will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on December 7.
The schedule is below. Click here to learn more about Red Bull BC One, including where to watch online.
RED BULL BC ONE U.S. SCHEDULE
● East Cypher [Philadelphia, PA]: Saturday, September 7, Dilworth Park
● West Cypher [Denver, CO]: Friday, September 20, Temple Nightclub Denver
● Red Bull BC One Camp [Los Angeles, CA]: September 26 – 27
● Red Bull BC One USA National Cypher [Los Angeles, CA]: Saturday, September 28,
Venice Beach Boardwalk
● World Final [Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]: December 7, Farmasi Arena
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Photo: Red Bull Content Pool