Let’s take a stroll and reminisce real quick. Imagine watching TV flippin through the channels, and all of a sudden, you accidentally land on the public access network only to see footage of a style of dancing you have never seen before. You can’t help but bob your head while hearing the thumping bass lines of Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s, “The Creator” blasting out through the speakers of the television. What you see before your eyes is the ALIVE TV documentary segment called, “Wreckin Shop From Brooklyn”, which featured some of the illest dancers out of New York. One Cypher had the opportunity to interview one of the dancers from that documentary, Buddha Stretch, of the legendary Mop Tops. Being one of the innovators of freestyle dance, Buddha Stretch has choreographed and danced for artists such as Michael Jackson, Will Smith, Rah Digga, and Mariah Carey to name a few. He has also traveled, taught, and performed with his crew all over the world. Buddha Stretch’s distinct dance style has inspired and influenced generations of dancers in the underground as well as in the industry, which is evident anywhere you see freestyle circles today, whether it’s at a club, a jam, or on video.

“Rhythm is 1st and foremost the foundation
for every street dance.”

One Cypher: Being involved in the game as long as you have, describe the evolution of Hip-Hop dance as seen through your eyes. How was it then? How is it now? Both in terms of the streets as well as in the entertainment industry?
Buddha Stretch: I think HipHop as a dance hasn’t evolved much. I think the biggest difference was that back then, there was no Jazz dance influence in Hip Hop dance. It was strictly street, untrained, untamed, and RAW!

One Cypher: How did you get into dance? Was it something you were always passionate about as a child?
Buddha Stretch: My entry into hiphop was as a dancer in the UNION SQUARE nightclub. My crew and I opened up for artists such as Eric B. & Rakim, Salt & Peppa, BDP, etc. I was into dance as a child, watching “SoulTrain” on TV, trying to imitate the dancers and different dances I saw.

One Cypher: What other things are you into besides dance?
Buddha Stretch: Before dance, I was heavy into art, particularly cartooning. I also wanted to be an astronaut. I’m heavy into comics and learned to read through them.

One Cypher: Who were your influences? Was there anyone you looked up to?
Buddha Stretch: I would have to say my biggest influences were the SOUL TRAIN dancers. I saw dancers such as The Lockers, The Electric Boogaloos, as well as several other dancers. My boy Louski was a Soul Train dancer. It was my dream to dance going down the Soul Train line and I got to do it with him.

One Cypher: With all the controversy about what Hip Hop dance is defined as nowadays, what is Hip Hop dance to you?
Buddha Stretch: HIPHOP as a dance isn’t controversial, it’s just that many bboys want what they do to be called “hiphop”. But actually, bboying pre-dates the word “hiphop”. So they call what we did “freestyle”. Hiphop dance is just ORGANIZED URBAN SOCIAL DANCING….anyone who says any different, doesn’t get it!

“The music dictates what the dancer does,
not the other way around.”

One Cypher: The Freestyle Hip Hop dance style you innovated is very unique. How did the style develop during it’s early stages? Who were some key dancers that made it what it is today?
Buddha Stretch: My style developed overtime, combining every style of dance I came in contact with. I started as a popper and gradually learned all the latest “party” dances. Around the time I got the gig @ Union Square, I started adding everything together, doing my 1st choreography. I think the other people I came up with like PETER PAUL, CALEAF, and LINK all contributed to the style I do now.

One Cypher: What is your most memorable experience in your entire dance career so far?
Buddha Stretch: My most memorable moment in my career was working with Michael Jackson, on the “REMEMBER THE TIME” music video. Just making up the choreography, and actually having to TEACH MICHEAL JACKSON! Nothin so far compares….

One Cypher: Who were some of your favorite dancers back then? Favorite dancers now?
Buddha Stretch: My favorite dancers from back then were Scoob & Scrap (we used to battle all the time), a guy named DANILO, Marquest and Fendi, etc. My favorites now are a Japanese group called Electric Trouble, and also a crew called the AMOUNT BOYS, and a dancer named ERIC NEGRON, (he did the Rah Digga video with me)

One Cypher: Sticking to Foundation Vs.. being Avant Garde, what is your opinion on this topic in terms of dance?
Buddha Stretch: I’m not one for the “do whatever you want, it’s still dance” school. HIPHOP as a dance is founded in RHYTHM, STYLE, & TECHNIQUE. Rhythm is 1st and foremost the foundation FOR EVERY STREET DANCE! Style determines what the dance is about, and technique shows how it’s done.

“Hip Hop culture in general was always about expression…Giving voice to a culture and people who had no voice. Now the world hears us!”

One Cypher: What is your dance philosophy?
Buddha Stretch: My philosophy on hip-hop is, the music comes 1st! The music dictates what the dancer does, not the other way around.

One Cypher: For dancers who are trying to develop their own style right now, what are some words of wisdom for them to go by?
Buddha Stretch: For dancers coming up, learn as much as you can, listen to as much music as possible. Be as versatile as you can be

One Cypher: What was the biggest obstacle you’ve faced ever since you got into dancing?
Buddha Stretch: My biggest obstacle in this business was being young, BLACK, and talented in HIP-HOP. All those things were considerd a threat back then and they still are now!

One Cypher: How do you feel music and dance is a positive outlet of expression for the youth?
Buddha Stretch: HIP-HOP culture in general was always about expression. Hiphop was the ghetto’s way of expressing themselves, through music and through dance. The ghettto’s way of creating something from nothing. Giving voice to a culture and people, who had no voice. Now the world hears us!

One Cypher: What current projects are Mop Tops working on? When can we see you all wreck shop in California?
Buddha Stretch: My crew and I are currently working on performances coming up in London, Paris, China, & possibly Brazil. We’re also in the development of putting out our own series of videos. Hopefully we’ll get to perform in Cali soon.

One Cypher: There must be a million bootlegs of the Alive TV documentary floating around everywhere. Any chance that it we will see it in the near future as a buyable dvd or tape?
Buddha Stretch: I’ll be including the “WRECKIN SHOP” documentary, on my upcoming video, as well as an earlier documentary, called “HOUSE OF TRE'”

One Cypher: What is a normal day for Buddha Stretch like?
Buddha Stretch: My normal days consist of teaching, practicing, and being the best father I can be to my two daughters.

One Cypher: Where can people take your classes, or find out more information, website, etc?
Buddha Stretch: My classes and schedule can be found on STEPSNYC.com.

One Cypher: So that’s it folks. Thank you so much for doing this interview with us. Peace!
Buddha Stretch: Peace!

(update: 10.26.09)

Here is the trailer for Buddha Stretch’s Street Styles DVD which is now for sale.

Stretch breaks down some knowledge on this Clip from New School Dictionary DVD