Summer Dance Recap Through The Eyes of @mattda5hat

By Matt Da 5hat

Hello again true believers! I hope everyone had an eventful and fun summer this year! Unfortunately, I didn't get to go to Battle of The Year LA and Freestyle Session but you can catch re cap videos on Strife TV's YouTube channel and YAKfilms YouTube channel. Much respect to Strife and YAKfilms for bringing us fresh footage.

One bboy event I did get to check out was the New Kids On The Block bboy jam in Eagle Rock hosted by Bboy Nes. He's been throwing these jams for years and its always a good platform to showcase up and coming bboys in the scene. That day Stylistic Kings crew out of Carson were the victors that day. Big UPS to Bboy Infinite. That jam also had a 32 man survivor series battle, so the competition was heavy for sure. The winner of that particular battle was bert from Knuckleheads Cali. Much respect to Khca always representing. @ProverseGoods was also in the house serving up fresh gear that day, I see you Barry that's what's up!

Another event I managed to check out was Hip Hop Iinternational 2011. Think about it, dancers from everywhere, who wouldn't want to be there. I got to watch the international bboy battles which was super sick because only days prior to that was Red Bulls BC One USA qualifiers in Chicago, in which some bboys at HHI were at prior to that day. Bboy Morris of Fallen Kings Crew won that day against other notable crews such as Boogie Brats and KnuckleHead Zoo. Even France was in the house too. The room was set up so dancers could warm up and get down. Fellow family bizness member Emeroy bernardo and myself actually sessioned with a kid that had multiple air flares and back flips, wow. Also during that day was the international all styles one on one that myself, Emeroy Bernardo, and Marc Miranda also participated in which was an amazing learning experience. So many dancers, much respect. From the look and feel of the crowd for sure they enjoyed watching battles. That week in Vegas will never be forgotten. Much respect to my crew Family Bizness for representing tough at Hip Hop International though.

One jam I managed to enter with my friends, the Zombie Hunterz Bboy Crew, was Rock City 10. This event was thrown by Bboy Lil Rock of Killafornia, in Fullerton,CA . Twenty crews showcased, but only 8 were selected. It was really sick watching Instant Noodles battle it out showing everyone they're still a crew to be taken seriously.

But on another note, I managed to compete with Emeroy at the last Alhambra Hot Spot Bboy 2 vs 2. Everyone came out with their best that day, even the young ones. I must admit though I think I blacked out the minute I heard the beat drop because I think the music took over my body. But that day Family Bizness came out on top representing the first real dance of hip hop. You can bet that day I was all smiles and cat daddy. Fam Biz all day everyday, twice on mothers day.


Sincerely, Matt Da 5hat

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In The Studio

One of our very own FamBiz members will be modeling for Fuze It Worldwide's "In The Studio" fashion show!
Come out for a night featuring America's finest designers and models along with special guest performances.

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Inspired #2

By Emeroy Bernardo


This was inspired by the writer of The Simple Dollar. Every week I will be sharing the top 3 things that have inspired me as a person throughout the week.

1. My Team, Family Bizness
“A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.” –Monandas Gandhi

This past Monday was casting for all the sections/pieces for our upcoming routine. Throughout the weeks, they've all been working incredibly hard to get every piece down. They've been scheduling review sessions at Jayvee or going to each other’s homes.

Their hardwork has come a long way. And even though it's only been over a month and a half. I can already see the evolution in their skillset.

I believe the challenge now is continuing to work this hard throughout the season grind. I'm sure they are fully capable of the task.

2. My curiosity in yoga.

I've been looking for alternates to exercising recently simply because my knees and ankles can't take the extreme pounding I put it through when I was doing Insanity.

I've been doing a lot of Vinyasa Yoga, and I must say, even though you're stretching and holding these postures you're sweating like hell. I must say that I feel AMAZING after. I enjoy the combination of relaxing the mind while pushing your physicality. Not only that, Zazen meditation fits perfectly with it at the end of it.

And the benefits it has from doing it is amazing such as improvement in the cardiovascular system, strengthening of the muscles, and of course flexibility.

I'd have to say it's the perfect way to start my morning. I feel refreshed and ready to take on the day.

3. Bruce Lee

“If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.” – Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee is probably one of the ultimate bad asses that ever lived. He was known for his physical fitness and his dynamic, dedicated workouts to become as strong as he possibly could. He had a physique that body builders like Arnold Schwarzenegger admired. In my search to find alternate workouts I stumbled on an article about him.

The things he was able to do is crazy! He was able to perform one handed push ups with just the thumb and index finger, do 50 reps of one handed pull ups,and throw rice into the air and catch them in the air.

He felt that many martial artists of his time did not spending enough time in physical conditioning. He involved all forms of total fitness: muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility. He was firm in advising that spiritual and mental preparation was essential in the success of physical training in martial arts.

“Training is one of the most neglected phases of athletics. Too much time is given to the development of skill and too little to the development of the individual for participation.”









I've always known who he was, but only through the movies like “Enter the Dragon and “Game of Death.” What blows me away even more is that he gained his physique with slight use of weights and WITHOUT ever stepping into a gym. I enjoy going to the gym simply because when I get there, working out is all I focus on. I won’t be distracted by work or other things at home. But my thing is, the amount of time going to the gym could already be time put in working out. Hence, which is one of the reasons why I did Insanity.

I know I won’t be able to get Bruce Lee like fitness overnight, but it’s motivating that he was able to reach his physique without a gym.

Want more? Here are some previous Inspired posts.

• Inspired #3
• Inspired #1

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Inspired #1

By Emeroy Bernardo


This was inspired by the writer of The Simple Dollar. Every week I will be sharing the top 3 things that have inspired me as a person throughout the week.

1. The death of one of my dogs, taco.

One of dogs passed away this week by heart attack. I was holding him in my arms as he had his last moments in this life.

This was probably the closest I've ever been to death. I've had loved ones pass before, but I have never actually witnessed it. Witnessing my dog's death reminded me that our life is SHORT. Not like I have 50-70 years left to live short, more like tomorrow is never promised short. There’s more important things in life than holding grudges, complaining about what we don’t have, or whatever you think is holding you back in doing what you want. We only have one life, let’s enjoy each moment we are blessed with to the fullest.

2. Persistence and Determination of my girlfriend

"Doing your best means never stop trying." -Unknown

My girlfriend, Stephanie, recently took a workshop that changed her life. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but there's a different aura she exudes compared to before. She's a lot more relaxed and certainly surer of herself.

But that workshop was only the beginning of her process. There's an advanced course that she wants to go to, but in order to get there, she had to raise $995 for the course. And she only had a week to raise $995.

She reached that goal. It was quite a challenge, some people don’t even make that in a week, but she was intent and determined to reach that goal. And sure enough she did.

Like they say, “anything is possible once you put your mind to it.”

3. Kindness of others

"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention." -Oscar Wilde

This coincides with how Stephanie raised her money. She wouldn't be where she is if it weren't for the people that were kind enough to lend her a helping hand. Throughout this whole week, the amount of people and the amount of donations they’ve been giving have been extraordinary.

It’s really shown me that we aren’t alone in reaching our goals, and it’s OK to ask for help.
I think the greatness of mankind shines when we give ourselves up for something bigger.

Want more? Here are some previous Inspired posts.

• Inspired #3
• Inspired #2

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AFTRA Dancers Escalate Fight for a Fair Music Video Contract, Launch "It's About Time" Campaign

AFTRA dancer and Dancers
 Alliance member Galen Hooks.
Photo by Anthony Cunanan

Courtesy of AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Arists)

AFTRA dancers have stepped up their campaign for a fair contract covering dancers and other performers in music videos by launching a social media and video campaign over the weekend.

"It's About Time" features prominent dancers and choreographers calling for a contract that provides for safety, fair pay, residuals, health and retirement benefits and other provisions for professional performers. In this campaign, AFTRA is partnering with the Dancers’ Alliance, a grassroots organization dedicated to educating dancers and building solidarity in the dance community.

The online campaign began with a video message from dancer and choreographer Galen Hooks, who is a AFTRA Los Angeles Board member and a leader of the Dancers’ Alliance. Other participants include choreographer/director Brian Friedman, former Pussycat Doll Carmit Bachar, comedian Affion Crockett and many established dancers, including Bryan Tanaka, Randi Kemper and Shaun Evaristo. New videos will be released over the coming weeks at www.youtube.com/dancersalliance, and can be followed on Twitter through AFTRA (@aftra) and the Dancers Alliance (@dancersalliance).

The campaign’s theme of “It’s About Time” refers to the 30-year history of the modern music video, the recent resurgence in the popularity and profitability of music videos and the need for dancers and other performers to finally be recognized for the talent and professionalism they bring to the music video industry. The launch of the campaign coincided with the weekend of the MTV Video Music Awards, which this year drew the largest audience in the network’s 30-year history.

Meanwhile, with the rise of Vevo and other ad-supported streaming services, music videos are generating revenue for the record labels like never before. According to ComScore, Vevo is now the second most viewed video content property after Google sites, with 63 million unique monthly viewers. Vevo is also the top partner channel on YouTube (a Google site), with nearly 60 million unique monthly viewers watching monetized Vevo content on YouTube.

AFTRA commenced negotiations for a music video contract on June 21, 2011 with representatives of Sony, UMG, Warner, EMI, Disney and most of their subsidiary labels. While AFTRA has placed a high priority on achieving a fair agreement, industry representatives have been slow in responding to AFTRA’s proposal and setting dates for continued negotiations.

What can AFTRA members do to help? Follow AFTRA and Dancers' Alliance on Twitter, share the video with friends on Facebook and help spread the word about this campaign. It's About Time!

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