BREAKIN’ DOWN BARRIERS

BBOY SWIFTY

Breakin’ is described by Breakdancing Ninja as a ‘street dance style that evolved as part of the hip hop movement that originated among African American and Latin American youths in the South Bronx of New York City during the early 1970s’.

These days, it’s a fully-inclusive type of dance, with a huge following and a passionate and dedicated fanbase. We love catching up with b-boys and b-girls at Project Gravity and finding out what makes them tick and what’s happening on the scene.

In this issue, we focus on none other than the mighty Sir Swifty! Having been a dancer for 20 years, Swifty (Leigh Evelyn) made the transition to MC-ing back in 2006 and has been hyping up crowds ever since at some of Europe’s biggest Breakin’ events.

The Breakin’ world is a really tight community. Everyone knows each other but it’s really welcoming. There’s a lot of teaching going on, lots of groups focused on getting young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods into something more productive, more creative and less damaging than other things they might be tempted into.

GREAT! SO WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR SIR SWIFTY?

I’m also a Personal Trainer so I’m focusing on keeping fit and healthy and staying well in these crazy times. My next aim is to spread the word of Break Mission around the world, when Covid-19 allows me to!

SO WHAT GOT YOU INTO BREAKIN’?

I was a skater. But then I saw Adie King at an event and I was blown away. He was doing all these windmills on the ramp and I was instantly inspired. I asked him how I could get started and he told me about Sounds of the Street. It was so inspirational, I was just hooked straightaway. Adie then became my teacher and mentor!

HOW DID YOU MAKE THE TRANSITION TO HOSTING AND MC-ING?

I started MC-ing at a Loughborough University event back in 2006 and loved it. Then I just worked my way up, working for free just to get the experience. Then after a few big breaks, I found myself making a success of it.

WHICH DO YOU PREFER, DANCING OR HOSTING?

Ah, I can’t answer that! I love it all. I couldn’t do one without the other, they’re too intertwined.

CAN ANYONE GET INTO BREAKIN’?

Yes! Anyone can Break. Whether you’re skinny or big, black or white, rich or poor - it’s open to all. You just have to understand where it’s coming from. You need to embrace its roots, its culture and what it’s saying. As long as you acknowledge that and pay homage to it, anyone’s welcome! It’s all about spreading unity, peace, love and understanding.

I LOVE THAT. HOW CAN PEOPLE GET INTO IT THEN?

Just start dancing! There are loads of events and groups around, so just give one a go and see what happens. Some of the main ones are Break Mission in Birmingham, Leeds the Way in Leeds, obviously, Just Jam in Newcastle and Rain Crew in London.

INFO BOX

See more of Swifty on Instagram @sir_swifty

‘ Breakin’ is part of our history, our passion and our culture.’