Breakdancing Tourney Funds Church Events
They “never sleep, don’t sleep and won’t sleep,” as The Lightsleepers continue to spread their love of hip-hop – and they’re doing it for a good cause.
The Lightsleepers brought back Inertia 9, Hawaii’s longest-running b-boy (break boy) jam May 12 at Momilani Elementary School in Pearl City. The event brought together the state’s best breakdancers, who battled it out for the title of Inertia 9 champion, all while raising funds for Grace Bible Church’s Youth Camp and mission trips. This year’s event raised about $1,000 for the cause.
Kazuya ‘Big Zu’ Saito
For the past nine years, Lightsleepers has hosted this drug- and alcohol-free b-boy jam each May with all proceeds benefiting Grace Bible Church.
“Events like Inertia 9 are important because it helps bring together Hawaii’s hip-hop community,” said Lightsleepers’ Kavet the catalyst, “from the young to the old. It’s a no-nonsense b-boy jam that promotes a ‘come as you are’ (mentality).”
The five-hour competition featured a three-versus-three crew battle, as well as a one-on-one battle between breakers. Supreme Rascals, 808 Breakers, Team Basic Rascals, Jeff Wong, Floorigami, B-Boys of Musicality, Beat Rock Krew, 808 Giants, Under-dogs, Stoner Bashing Time and Team Basik Rascals participated in the three-on-three event.
Supreme Rascals came out on top. Don Lee took first in the one-on-one battle.
DJ Enjay, DJ Jedi, DJ Observe and Kavet the catalyst provided music for the event.
In addition to the battles, Inertia 9 also presented a blackbook competition in which artists were given a specific word and/or character to artistically render on the spot.
Dancer Why won the blackbook competition and received Hawaii-born artist SLICK’s new (and signed) Dissizit Blackbook Battalion.
Since its beginnings as a radio show on KTUH 90.3 FM hosted by Kavet the catalyst in 1997, The Lightsleepers have demonstrated their nonstop love for hip-hop in Hawaii.
For more information about this and other events, email lightsleepers@gmail.com or visit lightsleepers.net.
