The country’s best breaking talent, selected in four city cyphers in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, made their way to compete in ‘The Big Smoke’. Amid a mass of talent it was young B-boy Toufeeq (Cape Town) who took the title of Mzansi’s best b-boy at the Red Bull BC One South Africa Cypher.
The annual Back To The City Festival for the first time played host to the Red Bull BC One South Africa Cypher. B-boy Renegade (UK) joined local b-boy legends Vouks Nojokes and Benny on the judging panel to scrutinize each b-boy’s originality and style through each battle. He was completely blown away by what he called “the rawness” of the talent on display.
“I had a lot of fun today and it’s good to see the level is improving. I’ve been aware of the South African (B-boy) scene since about 2000 and have watched it grow so it was good to see the split of the generations battling today. A few of the battles were really tight but what it came down to today was consistency and Toufeeq was consistent through each battle. He’s really grown and it’s good to see him realizing the potential I saw in him two or three years ago.”
Seventeen year old Toufeeq Baatjies has previously competed in the competition but this was the first time he battled his way to the top to take the title. He went up against last year’s runner up 9-ether in the final.
“I’m excited! I had lost the Cape Town cypher and I came here to win today. This means the world and it’s one step closer to my end goal of winning the Red Bull BC One World Final. I put a lot of time in to practice. I’m really honoured to be able to represent South Africa in Algeria.”
With DJ Switch holding it down on the decks throughout, the competition was more than a battle – it was a block party. Hip hop is still alive, the Mzansi B-Boy scene is on fire, and Red Bull BC One, is holding it down! B-boy Toufeeq goes on to represent South Africa at the Red Bull BC One Middle East and Africa Final in Algeria later this year.
