Other Interests: Magic Tricks, Capoeira
Other Profession: Professional Dancer & Magician

Motto: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me!”

Titles
2003 1st place Pro-Am – Crew Battle Miami, FL
2003 1st place Pro-Am – Power Move Battle Miami, FL
2004 1st place Soul Cypher Gainsville, FL
2004 1st place Pro Chelles Battle, Paris, France
2004 1st place Hip Hop – Round Three, Luxembourg
2004 1st place Evolution Orlando, FL
2005 1st place All Out, B-Boy Event, Los Angeles, CA
2005 1st place Icing on the Break, Tampa, Florida
2007 1st place RED BULL BC ONE Qualifier USA

Profile
Philip Teixeira Albuquerque aka SPEE-D is the winner of the RED BULL BC ONE Qualifier in Los Angeles: He’s an all-round B-Boy, but especially known for power and flips. SPEE-D is of Brazilian heritage and has been doing capoeira for about 13 years.

SPEE-D started dancing about 5 years ago. He got into breaking because it was something new and fun to do. He wanted to learn the amazing powermoves because he always liked anything acrobatic. Throughout his B-Boy career, he always stuck more to power, but in the last few years, he came to truly appreciate all aspects of the dance and started working really hard on his foundation—not just footwork and dancing, but also foundational power.

When SPEE-D first started breaking, his main influences were Moy and Boy from Havikoro, but over the years, he was inspired by lots of other people such as Storm, K-Mel, Swift Rok, Troll, Ruen, Teal from Street Masters, and by many of his friends.

Philip got the name “Speedy” during his capoeira days, but when he got into breaking, there was already another Speedy in Germany (who in fact will be one of the judges in South Africa). He couldn’t imagine using another name, so he changed the spelling in order to be able to keep using it.

In addition to breaking and capoeira, SPEE-D is an accomplished magician who does magic shows. He sometimes teaches B-Boying, but not very often, since he doesn’t feel he is the best teacher because he lacks the necessary patience.

Dancing is his life and he is lucky enough to be able to make a living by dancing. He dances solo and with his crew and has performed in numerous commercials, for Pepsi, Target, Visa etc. and movies such as Epic Movie and a few others coming out in 2008.

SPEE-D was born in the US to Brazilian parents and holds citizenship of both countries He speaks both English and Portuguese. His family supported him in whatever he did and they are very proud of his career. He finds great backing in his crew too and calls his girlfriend, B-Girl Dama, his number one supporter. He says because of her he has become the B-Boy he is today.

Hip Hop to SPEE-D is the “illest thing ever!” He states, “Hip Hop is a lifestyle. It’s who you are, not just what you do!” Asked what makes a good B-Boy, he says it is important to be truly dedicated and work on all aspects of the dance. “The most important thing is to never give up. Everything is possible!”

SPEE-D has been competing in battles all over the world—in France, Portugal, Finland, Korea, Spain, and many other countries and he plans to keep on battling forever. His advice to upcoming battle B-Boys: “In battles you win some and you lose some, but stay true to yourself no matter what and you will never lose your dignity!”

SPEE-D is looking forward to go to the RED BULL BC ONE in South Africa. He expects to have lots of fun and promises to do his best in the battles. “I will not hold back because I know that one little mistake could cost me the battle! See you there!”