Breaking new ground B-Boy Karam holds the titles of current GB number one, European silver medallist and first Olympic Team GB Breaker.
Karam Singh has reached numerous milestones in his career, from starring in the Sky Cinema dance movie Breaking Point to being member of Team GB. The beginning I remember seeing somebody head spinning in the back of a Justin Timberlake video and joked to my family: “one day I’ll be doing that easy.” A few weeks later I saw my first crew, Trinity Warriors, performing in a local park at a community event. They let me get up on stage and have a go, so I went for it. For the rest of that day, I stuck around them like a lost puppy trying to pick up any cool moves and tricks that they were willing to show me. I was age seven at the time but I had to be age eight to attend official classes, so I waited until my next birthday and then I was there. I was inspired by the sense of belonging and the desire to be part of something cool and urban, which I found in dance. Early on, I performed on major stages and TV shows, where I felt I truly belonged. Performing made me feel more expressive and at home than anywhere else. Breaking is highly competitive, and I love creating and battling. Constantly setting targets keeps me motivated. Dance has shaped who I am, allowing me to turn my passion into a career. 52 Dance | Issue 502
Creativity My creative approach often involves stepping back and not overthinking. I create the best moves and sets when I focus on enjoying the process. With a packed Breaking calendar, I schedule specific times for creating, going back to basics and training three days a week. I upgrade and twist existing moves, experimenting with speed and direction changes. In Breaking, it’s how you do it that matters. Many creations come from playing around and drawing inspiration from clothes, music, and even stunt work. “Crash to create” is a phrase we have in Breaking! Essential qualities Exceptional dancers create moments effortlessly, unafraid to take risks, leaving a lasting impression by storytelling through movement. I instil these qualities in myself and others by prioritising impeccable basics and rigorous drilling. Each move is practiced perfectly twice in a session, ensuring readiness and muscle memory. This preparation fosters ease in the moment, creativity with music, and the ability to craft memorable moments. I also cultivate this in my students by making sure they’re always doing what they enjoy and that they’re always being themselves on and off the dance floor.
Social media Social media is crucial for the dance industry and plays a significant role in my career. As Breaking is highly competitive, I regularly attend events, fostering a sense of community and ensuring I’m always aware of what’s happening in the dance world. Technique and artistic expression Technique and artistic expression are equally vital in Breaking, complementing each other seamlessly. While both are necessary, there are times when one may take precedence. Technique lays the foundation, ensuring cleanliness and structure in movements, which is crucial for competitions. Artistic expression, on the other hand, breathes life into technique, showcasing individuality and depth in dance. Together, they elevate performances, with technique addressing the mind and artistic expression touching the heart. There are instances where either technique or artistic expression takes precedence depending on the context. For instance, exceptional artistic expression with poor technique may thrive in underground events, while superb technique without artistic expression may not fare well in the same setting.
