Popping MI is a dancer from Himachal Pradesh who combines the styles of waving and popping into his own unique blend of street dance.
Popping MI at Red Bull Dance Your Style 2024 West India Qualifiers
© Focus Sports
Popping MI looks for inspiration in everything and everyone around him. He claims to be the first popper from India to win an international title and hopes to one day represent the country at Waves Within, a popular jam that takes place in USA.
Here he talks about why he loves waving, his greatest achievements so far, and more.
What does your dancer name mean?
It’s all about me. I like to pronounce MI of my name as ‘me’. So the name Popping MI is all about me dancing.
Are you part of any crew?
I am part of a lot of crews – KFC from Punjab, House of Rhythm India from Mumbai, and Viv in India.
Where do you usually practice?
I’m currently living in Bhopal and practice in my house.
Popping MI at Red Bull Dance Your Style 2024 West India Qualifiers
© Focus Sports
Could you tell us about how you got started in dance and your journey so far?
I took up dancing professionally in 2015. I started with waving and was later inspired to take up popping. So I started blending the two styles. I love getting down in battles because they help me grow as a dancer; so I compete in as many battles as I can. I also teach dance.
What is the main street dance style you practice? How or why did you get drawn to this style?
My main style is waving. I like the open-minded approach to waving. It’s not just about one particular way of doing things and that’s why we have many different types of wavers. The whole idea behind the style is to move freely. That’s what I love.
Aside from your main style, what other street dance styles do you practice?
I also practice popping and tutting.
Which is your favourite genre of music or favourite song to dance to?
I love dancing to Bollywood music; in particular, songs by Arijit Singh. But when I’m practicing, I love lo-fi music.
Who are the dancers from the local and international scene who have inspired you?
I draw inspiration from everyone around me. I am inspired by everyone I see, especially newcomers to the street dance scene. I always see a lot of potential in newcomers to the scene, and that inspires me to do things that are out of the box. In terms of international dancers who inspire me, there have been a lot of people, and it keeps changing based on my mood or the zone in which I am. In popping, it has been Hoan, Mr Wiggles, and Dokyun. In waving, I’ve been inspired by French dancer Bishop, Jon Gifted, J Smooth, and Jesse Sykes.
What do you love most about street dance culture?
I love how people know how to enjoy together. It’s not only about the competition or the battles. Everyone feels like they are part of a community under one roof, and I love that.
What do you remember of your first-ever dance battle?
My first battle was in 2015 in Bhopal. It was called The Future Champ. I wasn’t quite sure about what I was doing in those battles, but I managed to reach the final.
Popping MI at Red Bull Dance Your Style 2024 West India Qualifiers
© Focus Sports
What has been your greatest achievement in dance so far?
I became the first popper from India to win an international battle when I won the popping category of 5 of a Kind Street Dance Festival Singapore 2022.
Is there any one stage, event, competition that will be a dream achieved if you perform there?
There are only a few waving jams that happen internationally. At the top of my list is to battle at Waves Within, which takes place in the US.
Is there a particular goal or target you have set yourself in your dance career?
Not really.
Any dancer across the world that you want to collaborate with?
I’d love to dance with wavers from the international scene. I’ve already managed to collaborate with J Smooth; we danced together in 2018. I’d love to dance with Jon Gifted next.
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