It’s that time of year again as dance crews from around the world begin the trek to the Red Reck Resort in Las Vegas for the annual Hip Hop International dance competition. From Los Angeles to Miami and Europe to Asia, you can feel the excitement as the crews can’t wait to check into their room and explore the venue then get down to business of practice and competing.

Starting off the competition is the USA Hip Hop Dance Championships. The night commences with the crew orientation as hosts AJ Maldonado and Mookie Washington hype up the crowd. Screams for crew pride and town pride will abound in the ballroom before the actual competition begins tomorrow.

Currently 82 crews have joined the USA division of the championship. Rated Next Generation out of Washington and Studio One of Florida return to defend their title 2013 gold medal win.  The gold, silver and bronze medal winning crews of their respective divisions (junior, varsity, adult and mega crew) will move on to the world division competition.

210 International crews will converge on the stage for the World Hip Hop Dance competition starting Wednesday evening with Rockwell Family of Canada defending their world gold medal title.

Next Saturday will also include the World B-Boy and All Styles Battle.

2013 USA Adult Bronze Medal Champions perform a sneak peek number during HHI Media Day held at NappyTabs

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Sol-T-Shine of Japan lands in first place in the semi-final standing of World Varsity division. ©John Salangsang/PRPP.

By Pacific Rim Video Staff

Las Vegas – It was almost a Japan sweep of the top three but Canada’s Brotherhood did make that happen as they took the 1st place standing for the semi-final round. Defending champion Sol-T-Shine was knocked off its top spot and left to take 2nd place.

The competition is still wide open.

The standing is as follows:

(rank, score, crew)

7. 7.75 – I-Rock of Canada*
6. 7.75 – JB Star Varsity of Japan*
5. 7.79 – Onizawa Ikka of Japan*
4. 7.81 – Sorority of New Zealand
3. 7.90 – No Chaos Allowed of Netherlands
2. 8.11 – Sol-T-Shine of Japan
1. 8.28 – Brotherhood of Canada

*Tie score, score is broken my crew who has highest performance score
Score is based on 1-10  with 10 being highest.
8 judges score – 4 judges performance  and 4 for technical skill

All The above crews move to the finals this Sunday at the Orleans Arena

Make sure to watch online via our live stream. For more information go to http://hiphopinternational.com/live/

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By Pacific Rim Video Staff

Las Vegas – After winning the gold in the U.S. MegaCrew division. 1st timer to Hip Hop International, Studio One out of Orlando, Florida made their debut on the world stage. The crew placed 4th with a 8.71 out of possible 10 in the world MegaCrew preliminary.

Check out their performance here:

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By Pacific Rim Video Staff

Las Vegas – After four days of competition, Hip Hop International is proud to announce the livestream of the World Hip Hop Dance Championship this coming Sunday, August 11, 2013 at 7pm.

The livestream will feature over 3 hours of action packed hip hop dance, bboy moves and surprise guest performers.

The special appearance includes a performance by Les Twins.

Purchase your livestream ticket here http://hiphopinternational.com/live/?transaction_id=10202f81a040af82c8b277a1a35480&utm_source=Campaign+Created+2013%2F08%2F08%2C+4%3A36+PM&utm_campaign=Live+Stream+Promo&utm_medium=email

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By Pacific Rim Video Staff

Las Vegas – It was big return for the Philippine Allstars as they fielded a MegaCrew for the first time at Hip Hop International. Their performance landed them in 3rd place during the preliminary round which takes them to the semi-finals.

Check out their performance directly from Hip Hop International’s youtube.

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2013 Us Varsity Division Winners: Varsity Division – Gold – RNG of Seattle, WA, Silver – Brobots of Torrance, CA and Bronze – Prophecy of Suisun City, CA. ©Pacific Rim Phot Press. CR: John Salangsang

By Pacific Rim Video Staffers

Las Vegas – Heading into the finals of the 2013 USA varsity division finals, current defending champion Bandits of Honolulu, HI headed into the competition placing 12 out of 16 finalists.

New crew Brobots of Torrance, CA became the fan and judges favorites heading into the finals.

Another new crew Vibe of Pleasant Grove, UT also made it harder for the Bandits to  grab the gold.

Early on, Kaba Kids of Irvine, CA roused the crowd with bit of their dustup moves.

However, there was little change in the placement from the preliminary standings.

And your USA Varsity Division Winners for 2013 are (rank, score, crew):

3. Bronze 8.42 – Prophecy of Suisun City, CA
2. Silver 8.67 – Brobots of Torrance, CA
1. Gold 8.69 – RNG of Seattle, WA

These three crews will represent in Team USA as they move on to the 2013 World Hip Hop Dance Championships commencing this Tuesday with the world opening ceremony.

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Rascals keep the gold as they win the title of 2013 HIp Hop Hop International’s USA Junior Division Gold Medal Winners. ©Pacific Rim Photo Press. CR: John Salangsang.

By Pacific Rim Video Staffer

Las Vegas – It was a long road, but now it’s here at the 2013 USA Hip Hop Championship finals commenced with the Junior Division.

Host Mookie Washington along with co-host AJ Maldonado pumped the crowd for the upcoming performances.

Up first was junior crew Genex of New York as they worked the stage. Keeping up the momentum was First Class from West Covina, Ca. One of the favorites to medal in their division, First Class got the crowd roaring with their performance.

Another crowd favorite was home grown team The Prodigy. With fancy footwork and hard moves and smooth body waves, the crowd yelled throughout The Prodigy’s routine.

East coast favorites Iconic from Englishtown, NJ were announced, young ladies in the audience chanted, “Iconic! Iconic! Iconic!” The crew didn’t disappoint as they took elements of vogue, popping and while utilizing slow and fast moves.

Iconic take the bronze home. ©Pacific Rim Photo Press. CR: John Salangsang.

Rounding out the junior division finals were ChapKidz, Lil Phunk and the defending champions Rascals of Honolulu, HI.

Unfotunately, the fancy footwork and elaborate moves would not help pull the gold medal away from the ladies of Hawaii.

And the medals for USA Junior Division goes to:

3. Bronze 7.91 – Iconic of Englishtown, NJ
2. Silver – 8.10 – Lil Phunk of Boston, MA
1. Gold – 8.30 – Rascals of Honolulu, HI

The three crews are now part of Team USA as they go on to the World Hip Hop Dance Championship commencing this coming Wednesday at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas. They will be over 42 nations the USA will be competing against.

Lil Phunk take the Silver Medal. ©Pacific Rim Photo Press. CR: John Salangsang.

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Vibe from Pleasant Grove, UT at Hip Hop Internationals USA Hip Hop Dance Championship Preliminaries – Varsity Division held at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, NV. The event took place on Sunday, August 4, 2012. Photo by Sthanlee B. Mirador_HHI / Pacific Rim Photo Press.

Las Vegas – From hard hitting moves to nice smooth grooves, the USA Hip Hop Dance Championship Varsity division preliminary did not disappoint.

Opening up the division performances was Girl Equation of Newport Beach, CA and closing out with defending champion Bandits of Honolulu, Hawaii.

Stand out crews included Young Skull Club, Ill Habits, Prophecy, Beatkillaz, Phunk All Stars, RNG Rated Next Generation and the defending US champs, Bandits.

And the cress moving to the USA Hip Hop Dance Championship varsity finals are (rank, score, crew):

16. 7.45 – The Organization of Garden Grove, Ca
15. 7.50 – Nu Era of Covina, Ca
14. 7.59 – Kaba Kids
13.  7.60 -  Trouble Makers
12 7.61 – Bandits of Honolulu, HI
11. 7.65 – BeatKillaz of Gilbert, Az
10. 7.74 – Mixd Royalty of West Covina, Ca
09. 7.81 – Prophecy of Suisun, Ca *
08. 7.81 – Soul Fresh Fam *

RNG Rated Next Generation from Seattle, WA at Hip Hop Internationals USA Hip Hop Dance Championship Preliminaries – Varsity Division held at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, NV. The event took place on Sunday, August 4, 2012. Photo by Sthanlee B. Mirador_HHI / Pacific Rim Photo Press.

07. 7.82 – Young Skull Club of San Francisco, Ca
06. 7.83 – Society of West Covina, Ca
05. 7.87 – Underground of Irvine, Ca
04. 7.98 – Ill Habits of San Diego, Ca
03. 8.02 – RNG Rated Next Generation of Seattle, Wa
02. 8.11 – Vibe of Pleasant Grove, Ut
01 8.62 – Brobots of Torrance, Ca

*Tie

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Rascals from Honolulu, HI at Hip Hop Internationals USA Hip Hop Dance Championship Preliminaries – Junior Division held at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, NV. The event took place on Sunday, August 4, 2012. Photo by Sthanlee B. Mirador_HHI / Pacific Rim Photo Press.

By Pacific Rim Video Staff

Las Vegas – It was all about the youth of USA as Hip Hop International opened up its competition with the USA Hip Hop Championship junior division preliminary.

Hailing from New York, GENEX took the stage getting the crowd hyped with their old school mixed into their performance. Following up the New York crew was their state neighbor Iconic from New Jersey.

Iconic gave a hard performance with their moves.

The exciting moments aside from the dance were the interviews on stage with Mookie Washington. From crew members announcing their nicknames to answering questions, the crowd was oohing about the responses.

Cuteness aside, these kids illustrated that they belong at HHI’s USA Hip Hop Dance Championship junior division preliminary.

Scoring of 8 judges, 50 percent performance 50 percent tech.average out

Moving on the finals are the following crews (rank, name, score):

7.  6.07  – GENEX of New York
6. 7.37 – First Class of West Covina, Ca
5. 7.47 -  The Prodigy of Las Vegas, Nv
4. 7.52 – Iconic of Englishtown, NJ
3. 7.74 – ChapKidz of Suisun Ca
2. 7.96 – Rascals of Honolulu, Hi
1. 8.06 – Lil Phunk of Boston, Ma

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Howard Schwartz greets the USA dance crews during the USA Hip Hop Dance Championship orientation held at the Red Rock Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, NV on Saturday, August 3, 2013. ©Pacific Rim Photo Press. CR: Sthanlee B. Mirador.

By Pacific Rim Video Staff

Las Vegas – After a successful orientation with all the competing dance crews, HHI release the order of performance for the upcoming preliminary round of the USA Hip Hop Dance Championships.

The here is the list in division order:

USA Junior Division

1. Genex – New York, NY

2. Iconic – Englishtown, NJ

3. Rap Sheet – Alhambra, Ca

4. Mini Thrilla Fellaz – Phoenix, Az

5. First Class – West Covina, Ca

6. Root Rockers – Spokane, Wa

7. Lil’ Xplozion – Newport Beach, Ca

8. Mini Thrilla Bellaz – Gilbert, Az

9. The Prodigy – Las Vegas, Nv

10. Lil Phunk – Boston, Ma

11. Chapkidz – Suisun, Ca

12. Groovaloos – Bakersfield, Ca

13. Primary Source – Encinitas, Ca

14. Rascals – Honolulu (Defending Champion)

Atmosphere shot at the USA Hip Hop Dance Championship orientation. ©Pacific Rim Photo Press. CR: Sthanlee B. Mirador.

Varsity Division

1. Girl Equation – Newport Beach, Ca

2. Young Skull Club – San Francisco, Ca

3. Ill Habits – San Diego, Ca

4. The Organization – Garden Grove, Ca

5. Tru Definition – Encinitas, Ca

6. The Prodigy – Las Vegas, Nv

7. Prophecy – Suisun, Ca

8. Beatkillaz – Chandler, Az

9. Nu Era – Covina, Ca

10. Ground Zero – Las Vegas, Nv

11. Phunk Allstars – Boston, Ma

12. Slique – Wilmington, Ca

13. Elevated I – Irvine, Ca

14. Iconic – Englishtown, NJ

15. Cloud 9 – Victorville, Ca

16. Kaba Kids – Irvine, Ca

17. Vindikate – San Diego, Ca

18. Mixd Royalty – West Covina, Ca

19. Trouble Makers – Los Angeles, Ca

20. Mavericks – Irvine, Ca

21. Society – West Covina, Ca

22. KM Kids – Irvine, Ca

23. Fanatax – Seattle, Wa

24. Elektro Elite – Gilbert, Az

25. Vibe – Pleasant Grove, Ut

26. Underground – Irvine, Ca

27. Next Step Hooligans – Frisco, Tx

28. Phunk Fem – Boston, Ma

29. Soul Fresh Fam – Los Angeles, Ca

30. Brobots – Torrance, Ca

31. RNG Rated Next Generation – Seattle, Wa

32. Bandits – Honolulu, Hi (Defending Champion)

(l-r) Hazmat of Academy of Hype and Pharside of Academy of Villains at the USA Hip Hop Dance Championship orientation at the Red Rock Resort. ©Pacific Rim Photo Press. CR: Sthanlee B. Mirador

Adult Division

1. Abstrakt Statuz – Las Vegas, Nv

2. Rogue Makers – Los Angeles, Ca

3. Hip Hop Connxion – Chicago, Il

4. United Dance Crew – Coolidge, Az

5. Correlation Crew – Houston, Tx

6. Kaba Modern – Irvine, Ca

7. The Ecsntrcs – Fullerton, Ca

8, Tangled Roots – Spokane, Wa

9. Beat Warriaz – Chandler, Az

10. Illmatik Phlow – Miami, Fl

11. Haymakers – Vacaville, Ca

12. 5′ Foota Thrillaz – Gilbert, Az

13. Common Ground – Irvine, Ca

14. CADC – Irvine, Ca

15. Mix’d Elements – North Hollywood, Ca

16. Broken Toyz – Gilbert, Az

17. Phunk Snap – Boston, Ma

18. We’Dfy – Newport Beach, Ca

MegaCrew Division

1. Ambition Movement – Tucson, Az

2. Academy of Hype – Honolulu, Hi

3. Prime.D – Fullerton, Ca

4. Phunk Phenomenon – Everett, Ma

5. High Profile Dance – Las Vegas, Nv

6. Nu Nations – Covina, Ca

7. Ill Habits – San Diego, Ca

8. The Go! – Chicago, Il

9. 3-23 Main Army – Los Angeles, Ca

10. Breakthrough – Encinitas, Ca

11. The Prototypes – Los Angeles, Ca

12. Maker Empire – Los Angeles, Ca

13. Natural St8 – Chino, Ca

14. Rival School – Long Beach, Ca

15. Studio One – Orlando, Fl

16. CDF – Suisun, Ca

17. Chimera Concept – New York, NY

18. Academy of Swag – West Covina, Ca (DF)

The event starts at Sunday, August 4 at 9am.

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