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| Hip Hop International | |
|---|---|
| Name | Hip Hop International |
| Formation | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California |
| Leader title | Founder |
| Leader name | Howard and Maria "Skeeter" Mireles |
| Type | Dance competition organization |
| Region served | International |
Hip Hop International is an organization that produces global competitive events for street dance and hip hop culture, hosting championships, television productions, and community initiatives. Founded by Howard Mireles and Maria "Skeeter" Mireles, it connects crews, soloists, and choreographers from cities such as Los Angeles, New York City, Seoul, Tokyo, London, and Paris with events in regions including North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. The organization interacts with entertainment institutions like MTV, NBC, Fox Broadcasting Company, and cultural festivals such as SXSW, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and Cannes Film Festival through showcases and media partnerships.
Hip Hop International was established in 2002 following national competitions such as World of Dance and regional battles like the Battle of the Year. Early growth involved collaborations with promoters from Los Angeles, New York City, and Chicago, and partnerships with venues including Staples Center and Madison Square Garden. The organization expanded internationally with qualifiers in countries including South Korea, Japan, France, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, South Africa, and United Kingdom. Over time founders engaged with cultural institutions such as the Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Institution, British Council, and broadcasters like BBC to legitimize street dance styles including popping, locking, breaking, and krump on competitive stages.
The governing body includes executives, event directors, and adjudication panels drawing judges from companies and crews like Jabbawockeez, The Royal Family, Culture Shock, Kinjaz, Les Twins, and Poppin' John. Administrative offices are located in Los Angeles with regional directors in hubs such as Seoul, Tokyo, London, Paris, Berlin, and São Paulo. Governance interacts with legal counsel familiar with entities like Screen Actors Guild and event logistics firms that have worked with Live Nation and AEG Presents. Event staffing often coordinates with unions and associations including American Guild of Musical Artists and production houses that collaborated on America's Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance, and Britain's Got Talent.
Flagship events include annual world finals and regional qualifiers, joining calendars with festivals like Coachella, Ultra Music Festival, and sporting events such as the NBA All-Star Weekend and Super Bowl halftime promotions. Competitions are staged at arenas and theaters including Staples Center, Madison Square Garden, Nippon Budokan, and the O2 Arena. The organization has staged televised specials on MTV, NBC, and cable channels, and has been featured in documentaries alongside films like Rize and Step Up as well as reality programs produced by Simon Cowell and Nigel Lythgoe.
Events are organized into divisions and categories similar to those used by World of Dance and regional federations: team divisions (adult, varsity, junior), solo divisions (b-boy, b-girl), and specialty categories such as choreography, freestyle, and commercial routines. Style divisions reference traditions from crews like Rocksteady Crew, New York City Breakers, and movements in South Korea and Japan. Age divisions align with youth programs sponsored by institutions such as YMCA and arts councils in cities like Chicago and San Francisco.
Past champions and participants include crews and dancers who later worked with entertainment companies and media properties: Jabbawockeez, Kinjaz, Les Twins, The Royal Family, I.aM.mE, Poreotics, Kinjaz, Beat Freaks, Fik-Shun, Red Bull BC One alumni, and international crews from South Korea and Japan who also appeared on World Hip Hop Dance Championship stages. Dancers have transitioned to projects with film studios such as Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, and music tours for artists like Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Madonna, Usher, and Rihanna.
The organization influenced the global professionalization of street dance, contributing to cultural exchange between cities like Seoul and New York City and shaping career pathways similar to those created by So You Think You Can Dance and America's Best Dance Crew. Critics have raised issues paralleling debates in World of Dance and televised competitions: commercialization, judging transparency, cultural appropriation discussions involving communities in Bronx and Compton, and concerns echoed by cultural commentators from outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian. Academic discourse appears in journals and studies connected to departments at New York University, University of California, Los Angeles, and Columbia University exploring commodification and authenticity.
Coverage has included features on MTV, segments on Good Morning America, profiles on CNN, documentaries similar to Rize, and streaming partnerships akin to programs on Netflix and YouTube. Broadcast collaborations have involved production companies and networks such as A&E Networks, BBC Studios, Banijay Group, and regional broadcasters in South Korea and Japan. Social media amplification leverages platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter where crews and brands cross-promote with artists and organizations including HipHopDX and Complex.
Category:Dance competitions