The Capsule

Sophie May joins The Capsule to talk about judging a recent battle and what she really thought of the UK hip-hop dance scene. We get into why originality in dance battles is disappearing, copying culture in street dance, defending your message, women in hip-hop, diversity in judging panels, and how analog photography became her creative escape from the dance world.Sophie May is a hip-hop dancer, judge and photographer based in Paris, and a member of LDLM. In this interview we discuss dance battle culture, identity in street dance, the state of the UK hip-hop scene, and what it really takes to stand out as a dancer.Special thanks to Indahouse UK for making this episode possible.

We're on a train from Switzerland after covering Existe Festival in Montreux — a three-day street dance festival in the Swiss Alps that's only in its fourth edition and already one of the best events in Europe. We break down the choreography competition, the 2v2 all-styles final between Darren, Willis, Miel and G (one of the best finals we've ever seen), and debate what actually makes a piece "hip-hop theatre" vs contemporary dance.We also get into why dancers should travel to smaller events over big ones, battle format innovation including no time limits and round robins, and the Damian Jalet choreography in the Young Lean music video. Then we give our honest review of the Michael Jackson biopic — and it's not all positive.

*We will be updating the description of this video with timecodes & references.https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/dorrance-dance-center-will-not-hold/https://www.instagram.com/dorrancedance/https://www.instagram.com/ephratasheriedance/

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Intro (00:00)Chameleon (01:23)Would I Lie To You? (09:20)Guess Who (22:58)The Big Quiz (29:45)Think Words (53:17)Audience Q&A (58:41)Outro (1:10:08)

Intro (00:00)Dancers React: Joe Budden Clip (00:18)What In The World?! Ian Hotko On Fred Again Experience & Lauren Scott's New Piece (17:06)No Fence Sitting: Tommy The Clown Speaks On Krump (1:02:23)One To Watch: The School In The Woods (1:12:56)How Many Capsules? (1:28:07)Follow The Team:https://www.instagram.com/theduke.ldn/https://www.instagram.com/geni_lou/https://www.instagram.com/laurenscott1.0/

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Room 10100:00:00Salah00:05:48Dancers Who Are Agents00:10:16Battling in Socks00:19:44Sofia's Initial Thoughts for Round 100:25:10Funk Music00:29:02DJ's Who Are Older Than The Dancers00:42:1730 Second Rounds00:56:28Stand-offs01:06:27*CENSORED*01:15:58Pre-selections01:25:32Sofia's Final Verdict1:54:16

Honest Opinions: Insider vs. Outsider Event Views00:00:00Behind the Scenes: Red Bull Dance Your Style Week Activities00:04:32The Essential Balance: Battlers, Influencers, and Event Quality00:09:09Analyzing the New Pre-Finals Format and Battle Progression00:14:13Cultural Authenticity: Chicago Footwork and Memphis Jookin Showcases00:17:50The Challenges of Hosting Large-Scale Crew Battles00:21:18Rage's Krump Contact: Understanding Mixed-Style Battle Rules00:28:35Was Ian Robbed? Audience Voting vs. Objective Judging00:33:28Defining the Line: Breaking, Floor Work, and Dance Your Style Rules00:46:31Intuit Dome: Venue Size, Audience View, and Judging Controversies00:55:37Analyzing Jaira's Clean and Dynamic Winning Performance01:04:40Red Bull's Music Choices: Viral Hits vs. Cultural Authenticity01:06:59Meeting the Audience Halfway: Mainstream Appeal and Cultural Depth01:17:42Looking Ahead: Zurich 2026 and Optimizing the Event Program01:22:10The Full Spectrum of Dance: From Local Jams to Red Bull Finals01:28:52

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Viktor's Notes:"LSS is not just a warm-up — it’s actually how the ball begins. It’s a call for you to be celebrated.""Talking about the beginning of the scene, we were teaching classes at a time when vogue was hot and becoming visible in the media. Everybody wanted to learn, so we had students, and we wanted to throw a ball to give them the chance to experience that.""I personally vogue to feel free and seen — and not just that. In the major scene, I know my category well. I have it down. I don’t play; I’m coming with a Grand Prize kind of mindset. On a kiki level, I don’t need to chase that same thing in a new way, because I already have it. But I still walk a category to vogue, to express myself, and to feel it.""When we talk about realness, it’s not just about the “mirror.” Certain realness categories can also be a celebration of being real, if that makes sense."

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Waackxxxy's Return to Red Bull Dance Your Style (0:00)Public Recognition Through Street Woman Fighter (3:14)The Influence of K-Pop on Korean Dance Dreams (11:24)Navigating the Korean Dance Industry and Personal Career (18:20)Developing a Unique and Dynamic Waacking Style (23:08)The Discipline and Training in Korean Dance Culture (27:13)Creating YouTube Content and Learning English (34:44)Comparing Audience Reactions Across Global Dance Scenes (39:43)Preparing for World Finals and Final Thoughts (45:00)

Intro (00:00)Why The Name Change? (00:18) Cercle Underground - Are We Hip Hop? (01:48) Tellax & His Legacy (20:13) "I'm Not A Battler, I'm A Dancer" (27:18) Working With Red Bull & The Business Of Dance (33:11) Being Yourself (52:26) "People Are Scared To Be Alone" (57:33) Online Comments & Haters (01:01:16) The Story With Les Twins (1:14:50)Building The Movement - Genesis & LDDLM (1:28:42) One To Watch (1:43:25) Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final 2025 (1:47:58)

Intro (00:00)Ibuki vs Street Woman Fighter Tour (00:42)Waacking At Juste Debout (25:37)Popping Battle Reaction (37:46)Is Popping Geting Worse? (46:04)Being Okay With Not Winning (58:04)Battle Do's & Don'ts (1:08:49)

Intro (00:00)JOAT Review (01:22)Flavourama Review (49:33)La Horde x Rambert (1:21:08)What's Coming Up? (1:39:33)Ones To Watch:https://www.instagram.com/__bassboy__/https://www.instagram.com/jennymnday/https://www.instagram.com/melissantonelli/

Intro (00:00)Locking Forever: Brother Bin vs Candyman (01:30)Thoughts on SDF's duo mode (16:09)Dancers react - Nelson vs Marvel (21:56)Judging system and prelims (28:39)Shoutout to UK dancers (46:01)SDF Livestream review (51:33)Outro (01:01:29)

Intro (00:00)The Notorious IBE (00:33)CrashFest (12:00)One/s To Watch: Tara, Mya, Nino (19:43)Tiiny Humble Opinions: IBE Experience (30:17)Sault: All Points East (47:11)Words That Move Me Podcast Backlash (56:40)Updates & Upcoming (1:06:46)

Intro (00:00)From India To England (1:06)Different Indian Dance Styles (13:48)Learning Your Own Culture (20:32)India Background (28:55)Current Work (38:06)Indian Battlers (42:27)One To Watch: Hashna (47:53)Red Bull Bring The Vim (49:40)Koad - Dirty Reaction (55:31)Outro (1:00:05)

Intro (00:00)The Vibes & Overall Impression (00:50)Routine Battle (02:17)Germany National Final (19:34)The Music Selection (20:44)Our Favourites (34:50)Dance Your Style (1:00:13)Luke's Trip To LA (1:01:50)How Can You Help Us? (1:06:28)We Love Fayme (1:07:23)Consult The Capsule: Teachers & (1:09:20)Abe Leaves A Message (1:26:04)The Capsule Freestyle Battle (1:27:44)|Dance Your Style UK Wildcards (1:38:39)How Many Capsules/Outro (1:44:15)https://www.instagram.com/thecapsule.ldn/https://www.instagram.com/geni_lou/https://www.instagram.com/fayme_official/https://www.instagram.com/theduke.ldn/

Intro - Top 10 Poppers (00:00)Number 10 (01:50)Number 9 (04:08)Number 8 (09:42)Number 7 (12:12)Number 6 (14:25)Number 5 (21:36)Number 4 (24:33)Number 3 (28:12)Number 2 (30:27)Number 1 (37:33)Mata Miyu vs Rochka Reaction (44:44)Consult The Capsule: Hip Hop Theatre (55:25)The Capsule x Red Bull UK Battle (1:09:46)Nike Total 90 Shox Magia (1:13:17)Outro (1:23:33)https://www.instagram.com/thecapsule.ldn/https://www.instagram.com/lewistigran/https://www.instagram.com/geni_lou/https://www.instagram.com/in.sighttt/https://www.instagram.com/anumalyka/

Intro (00:00)Cercle Underground (01:02)LDDLM Instagram Caption (33:48)Consult The Capsule: Choosing Safety Over Passion (48:17)https://www.instagram.com/thecapsule.ldn/https://www.instagram.com/theduke.ldn/https://www.instagram.com/geni_lou/https://www.instagram.com/kamiledav/

Intro (00:00) Jams & Gems/World Breaking Classic Review (00:36) America's Sweethearts (38:47) Consult The Capsule: Dance vs Activism (48:45) Far From The Norm: Until We Sleep Review (1:10:29) Outro (1:21:19)

Intro (00:00)World Of Women Street Fighter (00:22)Steezy vs International Dance League (15:30)Everlasting Ratings (28:19)One To Watch: Axelito (44:33)How Many Capsules? Ballet BC & Stranger Things (57:47)Upcoming Things (1:10:18)Outro (1:12:20)Consult The Capsule Submissions:https://forms.gle/PaLBZLUB25HAMaes5

Intro (00:00)About Temoin (01:50)Saido's History (11:45)Why Theatre? (13:31)Handling Criticism (22:48)Beyond Choreography (26:52)New Spaces (31:45)What Is A Hip Hop Choreographer?/Hip Hop Culture (39:23)Identity In Art (45:24)What's Next (55:00)Outro (1:02:13)

Intro (00:00)What Makes A Good Dance Movie? (01:45)Should There Be An Oscar For Dance? (10:13)What Is Movement Direction vs Choreographing? (25:53)Actors Dancing or Dancers Acting? (33:43)Iconic Dance Scenes (44:53)Bob Fosse "Rich Man's Frug" Reaction (49:02)Save The Last Dance "Final Audition" Reaction (58:44)You Got Served "Intro Battle" Reaction (01:08:10)Dance In Films (1:17:00)FreeYourStyle Battle (1:23:57)

Intro (00:00)Building Her New Work (01:24)Mounia's Journey with Waacking & Ballroom (07:40)Working On Gasper Noe's 'Climax' (17:50)Modelling & Jean Paul Gaultier's Freak Show (22:43)Being A DJ (31:10)Moving Into Choreographing S.T.U.C.K (32:34)Waacking On Stage (36:26)What's Next? (42:51)Outro (45:29)#MouniaNassangar #jeanpaulgaultier #gasparnoe #breakinconvention #sadlerswells #fashionfreakshow #gasparnoeclimax #waacking #ballroom

Intro (00:00)Bring The Vim (02:16)Modern African Dances in the UK/Homebros' Story (07:22)"Groove Is Our Special Move" (27:11)The Ghana & London Crossover (31:12)Contributing To A Culture (43:21)Why Afro Dance Is So Welcoming (51:17)Grime Culture & London (1:12:20)What Unifies Africa (1:20:43)Bring The Vim Atmosphere Is UNMATCHED (1:23:19)Outro (1:29:47)#afrodance #homebros #afrobeat #afrobeats #africa #africandance #dance #podcast #kurtyswift #unkletc #london #boyblue #ghana #ghananews #africanews #thecapsule #redbull #brinthevim #redbulluk

Intro (00:00)Anniversary & The Beginnings (01:27)How Do You Get In?! (08:40)Battles To Shows (10:54)The Ruggeds In Battles (17:34)Lorenzo Joining (19:29)Lessons From The Ruggeds (27:07)Tali Joins The Fan Club (28:35)Jams & Gems (37:11)Where Were YOU?! (41:43)Lorenzo's Story (45:47)Future Of The Ruggeds (49:16)Why Is The Dutch Scene So GOOD? (51:25)Creating & Breaking (1:03:10)Favourite Breakers (1:11:45)Crashfest (1:17:43)Breakin' Convention (1:22:43)Roy's Hot/Outro (1:24:23)Post Credits Scene (1:29:14)

Intro (00:00)Raff's Story (00:36)Mental Health First Aid (06:45)Mental Health vs Mental Illness (13:15)Self Diagnosing & Teaching (17:10)Mental Health Is A Luxury? (33:26)Self-Care & Therapy (39:45)Mental Fitness (1:00:53)Helping A Community (1:13:13)Mental Health Red Flags (1:24:40)Drugs & Alcohol (1:29:25)Applause For Thought Courses (1:37:14)Outro (1:42:15)https://applauseforthought.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/applauseforthought/https://www.instagram.com/raffcovino/https://www.instagram.com/thecapsule.ldn/#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalillness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthsupport #dance #dancers #dancing #streetdance #podcast #dancepodcast #mentalwellness #mentalstrength