I started dancing funk styles when I was around 13. Nonetheless, the funk fever has not left me or abated even slightly. Street-based music, be it funk, rap, R & B, break-beats or any kind of hiphop spirited music, still moves me emotionally and physically.

The demand to learn this urban-based dance in diverse levels of people increases remarkably. The interest is no longer confined to poor and wandering street-kids, but, is now classified a regular dance type to everyone who expresses equal passion for it. Many classical ballet and jazz dancers, teachers and coreographers, in fact, encourage their students to learn this new "very useful" artform. The reason is not just based on its popularity, but also on its "relaxing" and rhythmic/harmonic effect on the individual.

Meanwhile, the rivalry among independent urban-style dance groups representing different schools becomes more tenacious than ever. New style is always born. Dance competitions are conducted everywhere, and as always, they are eagerly sought. Each participating individual or group has only one goal in mind - to seek recognition that it has the best style.

Undoubtedly, street-dance and all its innate elements' popularity resound stronger and stronger everywhere; and there seems to be no stopping now.

[Excerpts from the book "The Foundation of Funk & Hiphop" by Ricky Carranza]