Chart Topper Challenge

So I'm zooming past the regional auditions and going straight to the start of the real competition.

Here's the EPISODE if you missed it.

Here is a list of the Top Nine

From the west: Hype 5-0, Heavy Impact, Poreotix

From The south: Swagger Crew, Jungle Boogie, Royal Flush

From the East: Saltare and Static Noyze

And the Canadians Blu Print Crew

So Randy Jackson made his cameo on the show. Does anyone else think he could care less about dancing? I mean really, he's gotta be looking cushy with his American Idol Checks. Oh wait! Now i remember. Randy owns the company who makes the Banners that sport each crews logo. Don't you think you're taking PR above and beyond by creating a show for your banners to have a platform? I'm not sure if that's stupid or genius.

On to the crews....

Care to explain to me, Saltare, when jump roping became dance? Because as i watch your performance i can't help but think you are trying to pull one over on me. What's worse is they are also trying to push the fact that their rope skills aren't being used as a gimmick. Here is how you can tell if something is a gimmick or not; when the crew can do without what's at question. Jabberwockeez could take off the masks and still be effing awesome. Can Saltare put down the ropes and still be effing awesome? I don't think so. Don't get me wrong; I think Saltare is effing phenomenal, but it's not dance. Therefore they don't belong on the damn show.

Take a look at their performance and you tell me if it's dance or not.

Poreotix might have a bit of a problem. They might not be able to do anything but isolations. Why is this a problem? It's nice to be able to do isos and do it well, but when that's all you can do your performance becomes stale. It will hurt them even more when it's time for harder challenges. Can i get a little tutting, or locking, or something. HERE is Poreotix and their isos only performance, and HERE is Kaba Modern who used isos ridiculously well. Do you see how Kaba had a mix of tuting and other moves with Isos on the hands at the end. The mix of related by noticably different styles lead to a more well rounded performance with a bit of anticipation from Kaba. Poreotix on the other hand had a predictable performance. You know what beat they'd hit and when they'd hit it just because all they did was isos.

ps. The sunglasses do not make you look like robots Poreotix.

One of the two best performances of the night was done by Jungle Boogie. Can i get a effing woot for the awesomeness that was. Their PERFORMANCE had an interesting mix of African dance influences that I don't think has been on the show before. They made me perk up and watch, which is really all you have to do at this point in the game.

The other crew that was straight beast was the Blue Print Crew. I have no idea why there are Canadians in America's Best Dance Crew, but i do know that our great neighbors to the north are breeding some hip hop monsters. In THEIR PIECE they used reveals and surprises to their advantage. At first watch i was like "where the hell did that girl come flying from". They had a couple other reveals that just made their piece move well. They were so hype and on point that I had to go back and watch it again.

That's 4 out of 9 crews that were noteworthy. Only two of those performances are actually ABDC worthy. The others just didn't hit the mark for me. Who do i think has a chance to do well? Most def Static Noyze and their operatic hiphop (it's called a tablo Lil Mama, beeteedubs). Royal flush was also dope just not dope enough.

The crew to leave tonight was Swagger Crew. I say good riddance. They were mediocre at best. Have they not seen this show before? Hitting hard means absolutely nothing (contrary to what Lil Mama says), and performances that look last minute get you absolutely no where.

I'll see you next episode! The music video challenge is a standard ABDC challenge, so i can't wait to see what the remaining crews pull out.

Peace, Love, and Chicken Grease

Erica J.