The Real Future

My guest today is Randi Freitas aka Rascal Randi. Randi is best known as a B-girl but she’s built a career that goes beyond breaking.  She’s a choreographer whose work has been on prominent stages including the Lincoln Center. As an educator, Randi developed Omega Flow, a floorwork training method, and launched Dancers U, an artist education program that provides creative space along with an entrepreneurial and financial curriculum...

My guest today is Malik Bannister aka Gvmby. Gumby is a professional dancer, fluent in multiple styles with a natural gift for showmanship. He’s also a creative director for film, and a a dance educator, including a role as a teaching artist with Heidi Duckler dance. Malik brought a lot of energy to the studio–and an extra set of bunny ears–for our conversation that touched on everything from his origin story to the strange place t...

My guest today is Jaylin Sanders. Jaylin moved to LA from Nashville in 2021 to both attend college and pursue his dance career. He had been working as a professional dancer since the age of 15, has a level-headed approach to the entertainment industry that belies his years. He’s worked with Dolly Parton, Wayne Brady, and got a lot of exposure in the 18th season of So You Think You Can Dance when he made it to the top 6. Jaylin is a...

My guest today is Saleh Simpson aka Robozilla. Since moving to L.A. in the middle of pandemic lockdowns, he’s been winning battles all over California and his reputation has really started to grow, as evidenced by his travels to Paris and Singapore. Choreographers are catching on as well, leading to recent work with Snoop Dog and Bad Bunny.

We had a wide-ranging conversation including a story about Twitch, the meaning of “animation”...

My guest today is Shantel Ureña. Shantel is one of the first dancers I photographed and has experienced incredible growth during her 10 years in Los Angeles. As a dance artist, she’s choreographed her own stage pieces, created films, taught classes, and competed in the battle scene, all while expanding the range and foundation of her expre    ssive movement.

We talked about her upbringing in Tampa - Shantel is yet another Florida da...

My guest today is Hans Pierre. I met Hans at one of the legendary Battle Games, introducing myself after I saw him perform a headspin in exuberant fashion. After I met him, it confirmed my instincts that his infectious energy is   very much for real. Hans is not only a dancer, but an educator, the producer of Thesis Dance Festival, and in recent times has been the hardest working DJ in street dance. He’s also a major sneaker enthus...

My guest today is Madaline Riley. Like most people in the street dance community, I first knew her as Mad Linez, the angular mover who constantly challenged herself to integrate new foundations into her ever-evolving style.

Over time I learned that Madaline is a multi-disciplinary artist who works in both visual arts and performance production. She creates and collaborates on works that blend choreography, acting, fashion, and paint...

My guest today is Keumsae Pae, one of the world’s best robot dancers. The robot style is not simply about imitating mechanical movement; rather, it embodies a philosophy of a robot trying to become human. This implies an emotional struggle, and Keumsae, with her subtle, detailed, movement,  creates narrative arcs that bring this struggle to the surface. She is, quite honestly, the rare dancer who can bring tears to my eyes.

She is a...

My guest today is Darrel “Friidom” Dunn. Friidom is a dancer, and we’ll discuss how he got started in the Dallas-area krump scene. 

Friidom is a choreographer, and he’s in his first year as a MFA candidate at The California Institute of the Arts.

Friidom is a philosopher, and he’s innovated a movement philosophy he calls Epiic.

Friidom is a producer - he has produced countless improvisational narrative works that take dancers and audi...

My guest today is Dustin Payne, aka DPayne.

You might know him from SYTYCD15 where he made the Top 20, or from music videos with DaBaby, Kid Cudi, or Kurtis Blow.

If you participate in the LA dance scene you DEFinitely know D Payne, and near the end of 2024 you might have seen him win the hip hop category of Versa-Style’s 18th LTMMY battle.

CREDITS:

Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, and ⁠Photography by John Ny...

Son Lam Nguyen happened to be in town just as I was launching this podcast, and I was lucky enough to be able to book him as my first guest!

• 0:00 - 2:00 Introduction
• 2:01-49:14 Conversation
• 49:15 Drum/Dance Improvisation 

Son Lam came to Los Angeles in 2017 on the heels of winning So You Think You Can Dance Vietnam. His talent, commitment, and open personality have earned him a lot of love and respect in the L.A. street ...