Ronnie

www.rawvegas.tv/rawreality/fullforce

Interests: I enjoy drawing and a good game of chess!
Profession: Full time B-Boy and teaching workshops internationally
Credo: “Live your passion through your soul."

Titles

• 2003 1st place,
  Seven To Smoke, IBE, Rotterdam, Holland

• 2003 1st place,
  Solitaire, California, USA

• 2004 1st place,
  King of The Hill, Portland, USA

• 2004 1st place,
  Battle Pro, Chelles, France

• 2004 2nd place,
  Red Bull BC One, Zurich, Switzerland

• 2005 3rd place,
  Red Bull BC One, Berlin, Germany

• 2006 1st place,
  Red Bull Break-In, Dublin, Ireland

• 2006 2nd place,
  Red Bull BC One, Sao Palo, Brazil

• 2007 1st place, UBC MGM Grande, Las Vegas, USA

• 2007 1st place,
  Red Bull BC One, Johannesburg, South Africa

• 2008 Participation,
  Red Bull BC One, Paris, France

• 2009 1st place,
  World Of Dance, San Diego, CA

• 2009 1st place,
  Suck My Kicks, Tokyo, Japan

Profile
Since 2004, veteran RONNIE Abaldonado has traveled across the globe, including Switzerland, Germany, Brazil, South Africa and France, pursuing the RED BULL BC ONE title and placing in the top three almost every time. His crowning victory came in 2007, when he took 1st place in Soweto, South Africa. He is returning again to the RED BULL BC ONE this year, but competitors might be relieved to learn that this time, he will be judging and not battling!

RONNIE is a member of two crews: Full Force and Super Cr3w. The members of Full Force have been together for over 12 years and are like blood brothers to him. The crew logo is a tree symbolizing a family whose roots continue to deepen as it grows. In 2008, enormous mainstream popularity came to RONNIE with Super Cr3w appearing on MTV and winning the second season of America’s Best Dance Crew!

RONNIE is inspired by his crews as well as Jabbawockeez. He explains, “You are who you hang out with. My style is greatly influenced by my friends who I train with.” In general, passionate people who do their best in any element inspire him. Musically, he finds more inspiration from Soul and R&B artists including John Legend, Robin Thicke and Musiq Soulchild as well as Hip Hop artists like Common He is a big fan of Hip Hop because he views it as a culture of self-expression. RONNIE loves to draw and is attracted to most anything that enables him to creatively express his individuality.

RONNIE first learned about Hip Hop culture, in the mid 1980’s and was fascinated with Hip Hop cult classic movies like “Wildstyle” and “Beat Street”. While still living in Guam, he saw B-Boying performed live. After his family relocated to California, he began dancing in what he calls the “new jack swing” era of the early 1990’s. “Whatever was fresh on TV, I would try and emulate. It wasn't until around 1993-94 that I started breaking,” he recalls. He was inspired by both his cousins and most of all by his older brother, Rodolfo Jr. who RONNIE imitated.

The first time that RONNIE traveled overseas to battle as was in 2003 for “Seven to Smoke” a battle within the prestigious I.B.E. (International Breakdance Event) in Holland. His victory was a turning point in his dance career and he describes the experience as “epic”. Winning the RED BULL BC ONE in 2007, was a major accomplishment for RONNIE but being featured in the documentary “Turn it Loose,” created from that battle, will allow his triumph to be relived over and over! RONNIE is also proud to be featured in a World of RED BULL national commercial and enjoys being endorsed by the energy drink turned cultural contributor powerhouse.

RONNIE’S parents naturally encouraged him to continue attending the University of Las Vegas, where he had a scholarship and was on the verge of declaring architecture as his major. As a result of the work, travel and other opportunities coming in for him as a B-Boy, he made the difficult decision to drop out. Initially unconvinced, his parents became supportive of his new career choice once they realized that B-Boying was their son’s true passion.

The best way to describe RONNIE’s approach to B-Boying is “well rounded”. He focuses on incorporating all elements of B-Boying into his style: footwork, power moves, top rocks, musicality and more. His signature moves include variations of freezes and intricate footwork transitions combined with power moves. His battle strategies are very straightforward: consistency, composure and aggression. He says, “No matter how much a B-Boy blows it up in a battle, I don't let it phase me. It's about winning the judges vote and not the audience. Never show weakness in a battle and stick to your style.”

When asked what is most important for him to do in a battle, he answers the obvious, “To win every round.” He is mindful to give his competitors space when they are dancing, not to be disrespectful and not to touch his opponents. It is essential to RONNIE that he remains true to himself, doing what he does best in the best possible way he can.

RONNIE is honored to return to RED BULL BC ONE for his sixth consecutive year. He is excited about judging, “For once I get to experience how it feels to be on the other side. Less pressure this year!”

He is also enthusiastic about the RED BULL BC ONE taking place in the birthplace of Hip Hop, New York City! He expects New York to bring out “rawest vibe and energy” in the battle and declares, “Red Bull is bringing it back to it's roots, so 2009 will go down in history books!”

To the 2009 RED BULL BC ONE B-Boy invitees, he announces that he will be looking for originality, well-roundedness, stage presence, rawness, and consistency and RONNIE offers some words of advice, “Train harder than you've ever trained before. Stay humble and go for the gusto!”