SOLDIER OF ORIGINAL PEOPLES ART
Soopa Jay has been ripping up circles for some time now. I remember first seeing him pre trademark afro throwing down at ‘freshly Breaked’ back in days. Many clubs, shows, battles, music videos and tv appearances later I catch up with Jay on a mad hot evening in Fulham Broadway...
WHEN DID YOU START BREAKING ?
When I was about five or six I first saw B-Boying, I used to do it in my mums kitchen and at my primary school discos. On Thursdays, at break time I used to take my older brothers records in. I was always into dancing. I didn’t see anyone break with my own eyes until the early nineties-Banksy from Swidon, then I knew that’s what I wanted to do.
HOW DID YOU GET THE NAME ‘SOOPA JAY’?
In Germany, Soldier Of Original Peoples Art.
WHAT PART OF THE UK ARE YOU FROM?
The West...
WHAT CREWS DO YOU REPRESENT?
Scarecrows, SIN Cru, UK Allstars and Rolling Like Kingz.
WHAT B-BOY EVENTS HAVE YOU REPPED AT?
None, I just do it in the streets!
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CURRENT UKSCENE?
Yeah...it’s getting better, but the new kids need to keep it real! Practice at home, or in the street or something, NOT in a club, that’s when your shit is supposed to be tight! Remember it’s an art, a dance, not athletics bwoy!
WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU ?
Crazy Legs, Kuriaki, Ken Swift, Mr. Wiggles, Storm, Swift Rock, Speedy, Aktuel Force, Crumbs, Remind, Poe One, Flowmaster, Maurizio, Evo, Tuff Tim Twist, Second 2 None, Step Child, Cybernetic and Banksy are inspirations. I rate Benji, Crumbs, Malloy, lil John, Wicket, Tuf Kid, Reveal, K-Meland Lil Tim.
JAY, HOW BEST DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?
Mash up style! Freestyle / Streetstyle, I just keep it real! I haven’t got sets and shit (choreography), I just have a blank head and bust out spontaneously - off the top of the dome!
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT DANCING?
Surviving!