One Cypher is pleased to recognize the talents of Super Dave as One Cypher’s first Recognized Choreographer/Freestyler. It was an absolute honor and a lot fun to interview this fun, crazy individual. Super Dave needs no introduction, because watching him dance…says it all. His freestyle has earned him an automatic copyright, for it’s impossible to duplicate and attempting to do so, wouldn’t do it justice. Super Dave has succeeded in both the underground scene, as well as the commercial dance scene and has earned the well-deserved respect of both arenas. People are both mesmerized and awe struck by Super Dave’s finesse and his very unique freestyle. Super Dave incorporates his creativity, freestyle, and groove into his choreographed pieces, which never fails to inspire and challenge his students. Students are honored to be in his class, and his positive, patient and outgoing personality makes him an outstanding teacher and a pleasure to learn from. Super Dave inspires and motivates dancers to perfect one’s craft and work hard. For these reasons alone, One Cypher is pleased to honor Super Dave for his overall contributions to the community!

“It goes back to studying your craft. If your going to practice that style, know that style, know the originator, where it came from, all that stuff. Cause that’s real talk.”- Super Dave

SuperDave Freestyle

OC: What is your name?
Super Dave: Super Dave

OC: When did you begin dancing?
Super Dave: I started dancing, technically when the cabbage patch and all that stuff first came out. Just one of those things, that I just so happened to be good at.

OC: Where did you begin dancing?
Super Dave: Originally? Richmond, California! The Bay Area Representin!

OC: What kind of training have you had?
Super Dave: Back in the days, I was more influenced by some of the kids who lived around the way. I owe a lot of props to my crew, Housing Authority, Wassup BABY! It was a bunch of other guys, Kanobi, Solo and a bunch of other guys, If I don’t remember you, it’s all up here, (points at his heart) I still love you, right on.

OC: Everyone knows that you used to dance with Housing Authority? Are they still dancing with them?
Super Dave: Still do, representin’ hard core.

OC: When did Housing Authority start?
Super Dave: That was eleven years ago. You know I’ve heard people say “I’m in the longest running dance group” and I’m thinking “no you ain’t.”

OC: Who most inspired you to start dancing in the first place? Brothers, friends?
Super Dave: It’s going to sound weird, but truthfully…myself, because of insecurity. I’m not trying to sound deep, but that is the god honest truth. That was the one thing that actually made me happy. People were like, “Wow he’s good” and you know, that’s what you look for, and the more and more I did it, the more I got compliments. It didn’t take me a long time to realize the skill that I had, and understand what I’m working with. Now to this day I think I’m a lot better person. Very secure..thank you. (haha)

OC: What made you move from Bay Area to Los Angeles?
Super Dave: Ohhh…that’s a good one! Actually it was a matter of convenience. Well, my ex-girlfriend used to go to UCLA and I already hooked up once with a choreographer named Travis Payne, and he flew us out here, and I got a taste of the business, and it took me about two years to get enough guts to come out here. And it wasn’t for my ex girlfriend going to school out here, and all that stuff, I probably wouldn’t be out here.

OC: What obstacles did you face when you first moved out here?
Super Dave: Yeah the thing about living in La is that it’s the melting pot of the dance industry; it’s the cream of the crop. You may be the best in your city, or your little area, but when you come out here, and see people who got it… you may be good in your one style, but these people got your style, plus another style, plus another style. And to top it all off, they’re very humble which AAAAHHHHH…..haha.

OC: Right…Haha…you can’t say anything about them because they’re talented and nice! HAHA.
Super Dave: They’re SO DAMN NICE!!!! Haha. It’s cool.

OC: Who are your favorite dancers, and who most inspired you to dance?
Super Dave: Ohhhh, I’ve got a couple! It breaks down into different categories. Some people are very funky like my boy Affion, Steve Stanton and the Groovaloos, right on to them, they’re funky! And you got some house flavor, Marris from Paris, right on… and a couple of underground kats that I’ve seen.

OC: Out of all your professional gigs, what has been your favorite professional gig to work on?

“I’m going to very clear, for those who are trying to come out to LA do not be discouraged, there are major politics that happen in this business. For real, it’s not personal; treat every audition like a free class.”

Super Dave: Your going to laugh at me, because you’ll be like, “they’re a pop group!” Yeah yeah… N Sync

OC: Why is that…
Super Dave: Number one, as far as overall business; they know how to treat you. Nsync and Justin are two different projects. Number one is that they know how to treat you, they’re not like “I’m the star!” They are cool, collected cool peeps. Right on… I don’t have your album but right on…but I was in your grammy’s.

OC: When was your first professional gig? For who? Or what?
Super Dave: My very first professional gig, was back in the day in 96 or 97 with Chico De Barge choreographed by Rosero and Jamal. Rosero what’s happening, I don’t know if your watching, but you from Richmond and don’t get it twisted…Right on. I KNOW YOUR BROTHER JOHN MCKOY!

OC: Haha…That’s proof people. Be honest, when watching people dance, groups or whatever, what irritates you the most.
(Snaps his fingers) Yes..that right there. Dance on beat…I don’t care if your b-boying, popping or locking but there’s no such thing as pop locking… Yeah I said it. Whatever it is you do, make sure you please pay attention to the music, that’s the key. That’s why we dance. If you have a rhythm in your head, just make sure the rhythm makes sense and is on beat. Haha.

OC: What is your view on choreographing? Do you feel it’s more important to teach to the beats or counts?
Super Dave: That’s a funny question, and I’ll tell you why, because when I first came out to Los Angeles, I didn’t teach anything. I was like “I’m an underground Kat and that’s what I do!” That’s what I am. If anyone wants challenge me in a circle, I don’t care. I’ll kill you in a circle. People might say “you dance for N’Sync,” it don’t matter because I’ll kill you in a circle. But my thing is that Rhythms…Rhythms…Rhythms…all day long. Because there are certain parts of the music you can’t count. Unless your really good at counting, and your like “one and uh, two and uh.” When you teaching that, some people can get it and some people can’t. What I’ve learned to do it to break it down to the best of my abilities. I think my dance style is very unique.

OC: Your known for your smooth, groovin’ style, can you tell us who inspired your craft?
Super Dave: Well. Back in the days, there were those “moptop” tapes that were out, that documentary. I don’t know if you remember. It is but it aint…I don’t really consider my stuff looking like theirs, but it was slightly influenced by them. If that makes any sense. Mop tops. Right on. Brian Green what’s up BOY!!! Ahhh… Brian why’d you move back to New York Brian!!! Hey next time return my phone call! Haha.

OC: What tips can you give to dancers who come to auditions? What do you look for? What advice can you give?
Super Dave: A lot of casting agencies, choreographers, whatever they are, it all depends on what they’re looking for the look of the video/commercial, you may be the best dancer there but your not what they’re looking for. I’m going to very clear, for those who are trying to come out to La do not be discouraged, there are major politics that happen in this business. For real, it’s not personal; treat every audition like a free class.

OC: Have you ever struggled as a dancer? If so..what kind of sacrifices have you made in order to dance or pursue your dreams?
Super Dave: Well nothing hard-core, but my ex-girlfriend, she wasn’t a dancer and couldn’t understand that dancing was my passion…you know, I was dancing before her and I’m doing it after her.

OC: What kinds of changes would you like to see in the dance scene?
Super Dave: Real dance, not corny-ography. You’re about to open up a can of worms. I would love for people to acknowledge and appreciate certain styles, I know when some b-boys see me they’re like “what the hell is that.” At the same time, that same b-boy isn’t dancing to the music and all they have are tricks. I’m thinking what the hell is that… you have no foundation. I’m not going to go to deep into that can of worms.

OC: What are your thoughts on “the moves” vs. :”the groove”. “Power” vs. “Style.” There are people who have groove and no tricks, while others have tricks but no style.
Super Dave: Finesse…that is my thing. A lot guys have nice moves and tricks, and may even have a nice groove, but without finesse, it looks like shit to me. Make sure you get in a lab and prefect your craft. And don’t do a move unless you got it. Cause I’ll talk about ya. Haha.

OC: And we’ll put it on the web-site. Haha. Do you have a certain role model? If so…who? Why?
Super Dave: That’s funny because most people say… Michael Jackson. Haha. Most people do have one, but I don’t. There’s no one in specific I want to be like, I want to be my own person.

OC: How do you choose the music you choreograph to?
Super Dave: I let it pick me. I like music, I’m very conceptual, if there’s a song I’m playing and the idea will just hit me with that music. It’s music…I love it.

OC: What is your favorite choreographed piece?
Super Dave: I liked the Carnival piece. I like the music…I had produced it–That one and my Missy piece.

OC: When comparing Los Angeles to the Bay Area…
Super Dave: The Bay Area, I love it, I want to go home! Haha. I’m sorry did you finish the question?

OC: What do you feel the differences are? As far as dance.
Super Dave: I will have to say, I went out to the bay recently, and I wasn’t that impressed, for the simple fact that they don’t know. I hope nobody takes any offense to this. If anyone takes any offense to this call me and I will show you real dance. For the simple fact that (impersonates locking) this is not locking, and when I see people cheering I for it, I’m like “what the hell is that.” So if anything, get tapes, whether it be Poppin Pete, Skeeter Rabbit, or the Groovaloos tape. And really pay attention, if you come out here thinking you’re tight, you will get served so quickly. It goes back to studying your craft. If your going to practice that style, know that style, know the originator, where it came from, all that stuff. Cause that’s real talk. The bay is cool…but when you come out here, you get polished. You meet cool folks, and practice. It’s a wake up call. People get frustrated because people think “he’s so good, and she’s so good, and they go home.” And you can’t do that, because you have to work hard to get to where they’re at. Just because you see people who are good, you don’t know what they’ve been through to get there. I’ve been out here for along time and it took me technically eleven years to get here. I’ve been out here for four years and I make a living off dancing. What can I say…I love it. You get paid to do what you love.

OC: What do you feel are the largest rewards for dancing?
Super Dave: When someone who is good also, comes up to you and says, “that was good, that was tight, you killed that.” And when they speak to you, they look you right in the face and show they’re sincere. And you know it’s coming from the heart and you know it’s no Hollywood talk. You come home and think, “that made me feel really good,” it makes you want to practice.

OC: What are your Ultimate goals ?
Super Dave: To choreograph for an artist, who gets my style exactly. But I would like it to be my artist, where I’m the director, I’m the person in charge, and I’m control of everything. I’m the director/choreographer, and the artist really respects my opinion and what I say.

OC: Do you have any Shoutouts?
Super Dave: Housing authority, The Bay area, Vallejo, San Jose, Richmond, Berkeley, Sacramento, that’s not really the Bay Area, but that’s okay. Haha. It’s all love. And everyone else whose been dancing with me since the beginning.

OC: It’s been an absolute pleasure doing this interview with you! Everyone this is Super Dave, he teaches at Debbie Reynolds at 8:00pm on Mondays and Millennium Fridays at 3:30pm, check his classes out! They are not to be missed. This is One Cypher, we’re out!

*Interview by Shelley Oto