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Nine New Dance Crews Shake Up Season 3 of 'ABDC'

By Chrissy Le Nguyen | Thursday, January 15, 2009, 10:01 AM


"America's Best Dance Crew" kicks off a third season
Chrissy Le Nguyen/Yahoo! TV

Just as rock stars have their groupies, each season the crews of "America's Best Dance Crew" have me. I've attended practically every single taping of the show since its debut in early 2008. Going to the "ABDC" Live Tour once wasn't enough for me so I cheered on the crews in two cities, and I've become a familiar face on (and sometimes even off) set. My support could be mistaken for obsession, but I promise, really, that it's nothing anyone should worry about… not just yet anyway, so hold off the security!

 

As a self-anointed "ABDC" insider, I'm thrilled to report that the nine new crews of Season 3 are as unique as they come, and there's no doubt in my mind that the insanely-entertaining and jaw-dropping dance moves we're familiar with from Seasons 1 and 2 will continue in the show's third season.

 

"ABDC" tapes in the beginning of the week (I was there, of course!), so the premiere episode has been sealed, signed, and ready to be delivered tonight at 10pm on MTV. Here's your chance to get to know the crews before the episode hits the airwaves:

 

Beat Freaks
 

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Style Of Dance: hip-hop, breaking, popping, locking

Description: Made up of seven ladies well known as champions in the world of hip-hop dance and breaking, these beat freakers are determined to show America that they're just as good and just as tough as any other BBoy.

 

First Impression: Think of them as a female Super Cr3w.

 

Prediction: No empty threats here. When the Beat Freaks say they're here to school the guys, I believe them. Look out for clean footwork, outrageous hops and glides, and crowd-pleasing flips.

Boxcuttuhz
 

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Style Of Dance: hip-hop

Description: These out-of-the-box hip-hoppers claim to be underdogs both in dance and in life, so they're hoping that, as long-shots, they'll come out on top in this competition. But because they hail from the same city as Season 1 champs, JabbaWockeeZ, they know they have a lot to 'dance' up to.

 

First Impression: Nerdy, quirky, and a ball of energy!

 

Prediction: Too much focus on the crew's lone girl member can take the attention away from the rest of the dancers and the Boxcuttuhz style is reminiscent of Season 2's Fanny Pak, which can hurt them unless they're able to carve out their own unique identity.

Dynamic Edition
 

Hometown: Winfield, AL

Style Of Dance: clogging (a mixture of tap and river dancing)

Description: The wide-eyed kids from Alabama admit that they're not too familiar with hip-hop dance, but they are especially eager to stretch themselves as dancers to learn and incorporate hip-hop with clogging.

 

First Impression: Sparks of curiosity. No specified style of dance is required to compete on the show, so why not clogging?

 

Prediction: America will be surprised and impressed by the whirlwind footwork and distinct sound Dynamic Edition is able to produce. If these country cloggers can add a sprinkle of hip-hop and a pinch of swagger to their routines, I can see them going pretty far in the competition.

Fly Khicks
 

Hometown: Miami, FL

Style Of Dance: jazz funk

Description: The former Miami Heat dancers hope to change America's minds about all-girl dance groups, so they have made it their mission to prove that they can be more than just cheerleaders.

 

First Impression: Skeptical. Short, shiny shorts can only result in booty shaking.

 

Prediction: Sure there's bumping of the romps (the fellas will love it), but the Fly Khicks actually have potential. I think confidence and sex appeal will help the sextet keep up with the rest of the crews.

G.O.P. Dance
 

Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Style Of Dance: hip-hop, breaking, salsa, rumba

Description: Dancing saved the guys of G.O.P. (Group of Peace) Dance from the harsh streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico and making it onto an American dance show is a dream come true.

 

First Impression: Latin spice on "ABDC" at last!

 

Prediction: Since their breakdancing skills are not as strong compared to some of the other crews, the boricuas need to salsa and rumba their ways into the hearts of female viewers.

Quest Crew
 

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Style Of Dance: hip-hop, breaking

Description: Named after the learning center that allowed them to use the building's extra rooms for dance practice, Quest Crew is made up of a group of expert BBoys who are notorious in the hip-hop dance world.

 

First Impression: OMG! It's Hok, Dom, and Ryan from "So You Think You Can Dance"! I know these guys can dance. Love 'em.

 

Prediction: Being on a reality competition show is familiar territory for three of the seven guys in this crew, so they have the upper hand over the other teams in terms of experience. But they'll have to continue to wow the crowd with their exceptional breaking abilities. Their bold and funky ("Start wearing purple, wearing purple!") look and sense of humor make them the all-around crew to beat.

Ringmasters
 

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Style Of Dance: flexing

Description: The hard-knock boys from Brooklyn call themselves bone collectors because of their uncommon style of dance known as flexing.

 

First Impression: These guys are craaazy! Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.

 

Prediction: Watching the Ringmasters flex is like watching a deliciously gory, cringe-worthy, horror flick you just can't take your eyes off of. They truly are the ringmasters of their very own carnival act, where people are lining up to get a ticket into the freak show. If they can get the judges and the audience gasping each week, then they'll be a sure hit. The contortionists just need to make sure that they don't go too over-the-top and scare away voters.

Strikers All Stars
 

Hometown: Tallahassee, FL

Style Of Dance: stepping

Description: The Strikers All Stars are seven steppers representing FAMU (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University). The college boys want to take the "ABDC" stage by storm with the intensity of their step moves, which require the use of their entire body.

 

First Impression: The crowds of students gathering at college campuses throughout the U.S. to watch step shows can't be wrong, so DJ Rashida better turn down the music so we can hear the Strikers stepping!

 

Prediction: The Strikers All Stars will become an "ABDC" success so long as their dancing is overflowing with rhythm and on-point drill team movements.

Team Millennia
 

Hometown: Fullerton, CA

Style Of Dance: hip-hop

Description: Team Millennia returns to the "ABDC" stage after being eliminated last season during the Live Casting Special. Though they didn't get very far in Season 2, Team Millennia is known as one of Southern California's most elite hip-hop dance crews (often beating Kaba Modern in various dance battles). The crew says that they've learned from their prior mistakes and will hold nothing back this time around.

 

First Impression: Definitely the competition's Comeback Kid and fan favorite (half of the studio audience sported 'I ♥ TM' t-shirts).

 

Prediction: With a badass new attitude, Team Millennia is back and ready to rock Season 3 of "ABDC," literally. Combining hip-hop and rock 'n roll will appeal to a larger pool of voters, but some may question the crew's authenticity. Team Millennia needs to demonstrate that they're still the same crew people know and love, all the while attracting new fans with their rock-out style.

 

Talk About It: Which Season 3 crew are you rooting for?