Red Bull BC One

**Interests:** Living life, metaphysics, self-improvement, spirituality, reading, Ayn Rand and traveling **Other Profession:** Motivational speaker **Credo:** You could be led or you could lead yourself. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Be positive but stay realistic. One of the most humble and most mysterious B-Boy legends, FLOAT aka Valentin Becerril has two great passions: music and dance. If there is a third, it would be “dancing with the fellas:” Originally from Manhattan's Lower East Side, FLOAT grew up in the 70’s; going to park jams and experiencing Hip Hop culture before it even had a name. At a young age, he was devoted to martial arts and only danced for fun. B-Boys caught his attention and he found himself doing floor moves, helicopters and cc’s. He began to take B-Boying seriously and by 1982, he described himself as “pretty decent:” Because he made everything look smooth when he danced, FLOATing from move to move, B-Boy legend Kid Freeze called him FLOAT. He also performed a particular move well, which some call a “turtle” but was also known as a “float.” Local B-Boys from his neighborhood including Rubber Legs, Leroy, Tee2, Cool C, Too Fresh Jeff and FLOAT’S brother introduced him to B-Boying. Of his family, his brother was the most supportive because he was Rocking and Burning before FLOAT, the youngest child in the family. By the time he began to tour, he was independent and his mother accepted his career choice. In the early 80’s, he met future B-Boy legends who he considered to be on a higher level of skill and who had their own individual styles. These dancers, who helped inspire and mold FLOAT into the B-Boy that he would become, include Fast Break, Kid Freeze, Icey Ice, Chino and Bryan. Fast Break had style, finesse, footwork and was “bananas with power and flavor.” Kid Freeze had power, crazy moves and elbow spins. Icey Ice had strength, speed and control with his power moves. Chino had amazing control, was superfast and had flavor. Bryan had a lot of creative moves, combinations with flavor. Eventually a crew was formed: “Rockwell” which included Chino, Brian, Flex, Kid Freeze, Fast Break, Icey Ice, PopMaster Fabel and Mr. Wiggles. FLOAT describes them as “all the guys who could take out a crew by themselves.” In the late 70’s/early 80’s, he got down with a chapter of the Break Masters (along with Sammy Sam & Mike) and he eventually co-founded The Incredible Breakers along with Chino and Bryan in the early 80’s. By 1982, he was performing at his peak and dancing with others who were taking the art form to the next level. This dance legend became a master of combinations of B-Boy steps and moves including headspins, hollow backs, air tracks and more. Movies that FLOAT can be seen in include “Krush Groove”, “Alphabet City” and “All That Rhythm” made in Italy. The most popular music video he danced in is Mariah Carey's “Fantasy”. In the mid 80’s he was a featured performer in a Hip Hop theater production in Israel titled Dancing in the Streets, directed and choreographed by Donald McKay. He toured with West Street Mob and Musical Youth. When he was available he loved filling in for dancers in GhettOriginal’s “Jam on the Groove”. FLOAT was invited to perform at many charity benefits organized by the late U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy through Boston City Lights. When FLOAT visited Boston in the mid 80’s he hooked up with a local crew called the Floor Lords. As an older and well-established dancer, he helped to inspire B-Boys in that group. At present, FLOAT teaches dance workshops, mentors young dancers, judges battles, and works as a motivational speaker. He’s still winning battles too! As recently as 2007, FLOAT entered Evolution 3 in Miami, FL with a crew called Powerful Impact, and won! One of his most memorable battles from back in the day was Rockwell vs. Dynamic Rockers which basically featured all of the guys that he loved to dance with. When asked about other old school battles, FLOAT simply replys, “I’ve been privileged to dance with a lot of great dancers. I’ve been in a lot of great battles that tested me and where I even surprised myself!” He has golden memories of his nights dancing at famous NYC clubs including The Ritz, The Roxy and The Funhouse. Very recently, FLOAT was forced into the biggest battle of his life: a 1 on 1 with stage 4 cancer! “I was pretty much gone and I am here today,” recalls FLOAT, “When you think there’s no choice, you do have a choice: How you are going to deal with it. God is merciful. He listened to me. I was willing to accept the outcome, but was not going to let it beat me down. I was still trying to live and enjoy life. I kept my head up.” He encourages others by saying, “Enjoy your life. Things happen. Make the best of it!” His belief in God, spirituality, positive mindset and acceptance of what might happen, pulled him through. Like many legends from the 80’s, FLOAT dabbled in other elements including a little Popping, a little Locking, a little graf and tagging. For FLOAT, being a well-rounded B-Boy is fundamental. He doesn’t expect that dancers should incorporate everything every time but does feel that “if B-Boys have it, they should use it”. It’s critical to be creative. If they let others inspire them, they should take the move, innovate it and make it their own. FLOAT says, “I am always trying to build my arsenal, sharpening my craft.” Being ready for anything in a battle is crucial because one never knows who they are going against. In his opinion, a B-Boy has to attack and go hard every time but not be disrespectful. Thinking back, FLOAT says, “We were way past worrying about if we were doing foundation, flavor or power, we just did it naturally. It came second nature. We could have done all the stuff B-Boys do today but we had to dance on beat and that made it harder.” FLOAT dances instinctively from the heart, letting the music move his spirit and his moves speak for themselves. More advice he offers: “Finesse and style it no matter what. If you don’t have this – go back to the lab and pick up some soul.” Although he has watched a few competitions online before, this will be his first year being involved with the RED BULL BC ONE. He is honored to be invited to judge, humbly acknowledging that there are many celebrity B-Boys to choose from. He promises to do his best to judge fairly according to what he sees as real B-Boying, which is based on his decades of experience. FLOAT commends RED BULL BC ONE for bringing the battle to the city where B-Boying and Rocking originated. The competitors will be advised that FLOAT is looking for the whole package! He details, “I’m looking for power, originality, creativity, foundation and flavor. I want to see your spirit. Not what you are doing but how you do it. You must have flavor with your power. Don’t dance or do the moves mechanically. B-Boying is more of a soul dance. It comes from the heart. You must dance to the music. It’s not about doing routines. Be inspired!”