Casa London: Since we’re reminiscing, name some of your most memorable performances with IAW…
Loebz: There is a ton that comes to mind! I would personally say our NYE Performance at The Ceasars Windsor. Because when I first started dancing, I thought it would be amazing to perform on the biggest stage in my hometown.
NN: I agree with Loebz, I can name several unforgettable performances but my top three would be London’s Dundas Street Festival and Canada’s Walk of Fame in Toronto (both in Sept 2016), and finally, our workshop for Native youth in Wikwemikong on Manitoulin Island (Feb 2013).
JFX: The Wikwemikong workshop was definitely memorable because it was a testament to hip hop bringing people together, where distance and race didn’t matter. Our performance at the Dundas Street Festival was very special to us as it was dedicated to a friend we lost over the summer, Nathan Deslippe. Nathan shared a lot of our values towards community building and youth advocacy.
Casa London: Speaking of community building, why is it important for you and IAW to give back to the London community?
Loebz: The hip hop culture is sometimes misunderstood. Our crew is one of the faces of hip hop in London and I feel that it is important to represent the culture in a positive way, one of which is to give back and promote this way of thinking in today’s youth.
NN: As seasoned dancers and trailblazers in the community, I believe we have the power to inspire others, to build success together and to show that you can persevere through defeat and struggle as long as you can commit to something you are passionate about – like dance.
JFX: I personally felt that the community platform wasn’t available when we started IAW. The hip hop scene and culture are for us to pass down to the next generations, so we need to reinvest into it and bring awareness to its potential in uniting people, cultures and generations through creativity.