They became the first dance crew to have a headlining show on the Strip. (Check out the most recent version of their production, Timeless, at MGM Grand.) They helped set the standard for the art form with their inimitable creativity. (Check out their otherworldly moves and distinct costuming.) They were essential in bringing street dance and breaking to such a high level of prominence that it’s now an Olympic sport. (Check out the breaking competition Aug. 9-10 during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where a new generation of dancers are representing the U.S.) The Jabbawockeez have broken through barriers in more ways than one and have stepped into a realm of their own while staying true to their roots. And check this out: In this issue, Las Vegas Magazine celebrates the icons by “transporting” them to locales far and wide. We also checked in with two founding members of the groundbreaking crew and asked them some burning questions.
What is the history of the plain white masks, and why are they so important to the Jabbawockeez?
“The plain white masks worn by the Jabbawockeez hold significant importance as they symbolize anonymity, unity, and artistic expression within the realm of hip-hop dance. These masks have become iconic in our performances, serving as a visual representation of our collective identity and unique style. Through our skilled choreography and captivating routines, we have elevated the plain white mask to a symbol of artistry and creativity in the world of dance entertainment.” –Joe Larot, Jabbawockeez co-founder and co-chief executive officer
Take us back to the days of Jabbawockeez in its infancy.
“From 2000 to about 2002, we were a group of friends that found each other through a love for hip-hop and dance. Having been from different crews, we all brought something different to the collective. We are a product of dance culture; we mixed the styles we grew up learning and formed some type of hybrid that became unique to us. Our motivations at the time were about showmanship; we were able to hone this skill by creating shows for local dance competitions or state fair events. We sensed that there was a lane for us to innovate the dance scene, it just required that we ‘think outside of the box,’ and hence myself and Joe developed the idea that would become Jabbawockeez.” –Kevin “KB” Brewer, Jabbawockeez co-founder and co-chief executive officer
The Jabbawockeez are so unique when it comes to choreography. What is the special sauce that catapulted the crew to stardom?
“Ah, the special sauce that launched the Jabbawockeez into stardom is a tantalizing blend of innovation, precision, and a dash of magical charisma. Our choreography is like a gourmet dish of dance moves, carefully crafted with intricate footwork, synchronized movements and a sprinkle of theatrical flair that leaves audiences craving more. … In essence, our special sauce lies in our recipe for constant evolution and never-ending creativity that keeps our performances spicy and unforgettable.” –Joe Larot
Tell us the story of how the Jabbawockeez landed the first show of its kind on the Las Vegas Strip.
“… The Jabbawockeez’s trending popularity landed us an opportunity to perform in a ballroom for a private group of MGM executives. Recognizing the potential of the Jabbawockeez, MGM offered a trial run of a full production show for a limited time in the David Copperfield Theater. The Jabbawockeez show was such a hit that our now-longtime partners at MGM requested that we add more shows and dates. After the extended trial run, it was very clear that we had what it took to captivate an audience in Las Vegas.” –Kevin “KB” Brewer
In your show Timeless at MGM Grand, what emotions did you want the audience to experience?
“… When choreographing the show, we aimed to elicit a range of emotions from the audience. We wanted them to experience a journey of nostalgia, love, passion, resilience and, ultimately, hope. Through carefully crafted movements and music selection, we created a seamless flow of storytelling that captured the essence of human emotions and connected with the audience on a profound level. Our vision was to create an immersive experience where the audience could feel the emotions portrayed through dance, allowing them to be transported into a world where music and movement speak louder than words.” –Joe Larot
Original Jabbawockeez member Rynan Paguio serves as the official assistant coach for the U.S. Olympic Breaking Team and is traveling with them to the 2024 Olympics in Paris. He answered a few questions for us.
How’d you score the coaching gig with the Olympic team?
I was asked by my really good friend, crew mate and mentor Jerry Randolph, also known as Flo Master, to be a part of the coaching staff with Breaking for Gold USA (BfGUSA) in 2022.
How many dancers are repping the U.S.?
There (were) a total of 15 official competitors working on getting their spot to Paris, and it went down to the final four athletes. Victor Montalvo from Kissimmee, Fla. and Jeffery “Jeffro” Louis from Houston (repping for the boys); and Sunny Choi from New York and Logan “Logistx” Edra from San Diego (repping for the girls).
How will the dancers be scored?
They are scored through a judging system that has been created by the World DanceSport Federation and BfGUSA,which focuses on five categories: technique, vocabulary, execution, musicality
and originality.
Are performances choreographed or improvised?
We actually call these rounds. It’s when a breaker dances up top, does a creative go down to the floor which then can lead into dynamic moves or creative style patterns which we call footwork and ends with a freeze—all without messing up. When a breaker makes up certain moves that are formulated and put together, we call this a “set.” From that point it’s up to them how they want to create their round, which is the artistic part of this dance. And no, they don’t pick their own music—the DJ plays certain tracks during the battle and the breakers have to improvise to the music.
How does the team Feel about being the first breakers in the Olympic games?
The whole team is super excited to just go out there and rep for our country. Every country around the world is excited. But we hope to do our best and represent as a whole and medal but mostly win gold for the U.S. and the breaking community worldwide.
MGM Grand, 702.531.3826. mgmgrand.mgmresorts.com
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