Kenge Keng The Hokage Major- WOD ATL 2023 & Ultimate Dancer 2021

Agnieszka Pniewski1h 11min

Speaker 100:05

Okay, I think are good. Yes, it has both your name and the recording. Okay.

Unknown00:12

So, first of all, thank

Speaker 100:14

you so much for taking the time on a weeknight on a weekday no less to talk to me about about, you know, just give me a brief background about you, you know how long you've been dancing, what styles you dance, and, you know, because I first photographed you actually at least in 2021 So thanks to man, he, you know, told me who everyone was for 42 people can you believe that?

Unknown00:42

As well a dance.

Unknown00:45

Yes, amazing

Unknown00:46

person.

Speaker 100:47

He really is. Well, and that's the thing that I think too, because Hold on one second. It's giving me an error can't start recording these recording months notice not selected. audio only. There we go. Sorry. I'm just I'm so silly. I try not to use Okay, sometimes.

Unknown01:10

I have, I have to take my friend.

Speaker 101:13

I know because that will that's my thing to particularly like if I'm working with other people is that I then get nervous that I'm imposing on others, which then stresses me out which then take like, longer for me to actually do something so I just get flustered very easily. Hello opponents. Okay, so yeah, so why don't you give a brief pitch and just, you know, introduce yourself and tell me a little bit about you know, your your interactions with the dance community.

Speaker 201:53

Oh, all right. Well, my name is Mackenzie majors. I mostly go by Kenji. I have been CC dancer since 2008. Okay, I'm born and raised in Georgia. The city of Rachel's.

Unknown02:15

Bay, Charles. Yes. You

Unknown02:17

see there Rachel I was raised on one raised Albany Georgia so I've only got

Speaker 202:30

a small thing I've been doing since 2000. A fiercely last hour and before while just rocketed true fame raise Mr. Lagos and it was something about their performance and how they unity was that inspired me to to make that unity and to get involved and then the styles I know is breaking typing locking house, why to bow Rex is really is not there's no style that I just don't sit and study or learn because I love the culture and diversity and the style and what that represents.

Speaker 103:17

And also to like, being fluent in different forms, allows you because like, so I'm Polish, right? Like first generation immigrant polish. And so that's so interesting is that my parents speak Polish, and English and sometimes like German too. So what they'll like when they're having a conversation just between the two of them. Like, they will switch between languages. Because some words are like more. They're more descriptive, and like one language versus the other. So like, it's like this hodgepodge. And that's how you like, it can be to using different styles in unexpected ways.

Speaker 203:56

Yeah, that was kind of known for known for mixing styles that you weren't thinking they kind of go together. And I'll find a way to bring them together. I just thought I really stand out and really be like different. And that'd be like the first one the last answer. I didn't want them to everyone people are seeing you. Like, oh, this is this is him. This is how he is how he dresses how he dresses. This is with him, I guess differently and no one can copy what I do. I really try to be so different and so diverse. And really keep that wow.

Speaker 104:37

Yeah, that's great that like nobody. Nobody's like, Oh, I know what moves gonna come next.

Unknown04:44

I like to keep you on your toes.

Speaker 104:47

Which is great too. Because, like, you know, sometimes, and I understand that, like sometimes dancers are like still working out on a movie, you know, like trying to get it right and they're trying a bunch of just are variations like I love seeing that but like, I kind of hate it when like people have like, you know their go twos the crowd pleaser that they know it's gonna, it's gonna like pull it off but like I'm like, Come on, let's keep seeing you push, you know, because that's the amazing thing about dance not only is it like kinetic sculptures in action, you know you like during a dance performance, it's just wild. How. And that's why I think I prefer taking photos of just instead of just video because seeing photos and like snapshots in a series helps you understand like the difficulty of the main moment like what led up to it what happened after it. It's just so interesting to me. And that's why it was so much fun shooting world of dance, because it was like the perfect place and group because y'all are so welcoming. Like every single time that I've ever come to Atlanta. It's everyone has been just like, everyone here is about the community, not just like one or two people and I think that that's truly incredible and rare. You know.

Speaker 206:11

I've invested in the last handful since 2000. Last started in 2011. But it was a hard time babying me and my crew we would ask you to relax and we will hustle up gas money we will be in our local park dancing Jeremy get gas money just so he calls to Atlanta which was a two hour drive to our house. Like we we me and my roommate which is still my my old battle party and meet me through so much and we are still we don't battle together anymore. Because he has progressive in a state where now. And like I do miss dancing with him by love his progression. Like I will never be like stuck with you doing just a battle with me. I know right now he's even doing stuff like this. My name is Gary and I'm so proud of him. Oh, that's amazing. Yes. He used to battle with states. Some people know. He knows I didn't follow you. Yeah. So back then. In 2011 was our first jam. We went to buckshot six. And we was basically just fold into the wolf. Now I'm not books I saved some time. It was set up in dance server dance Hip Hop edition. Yeah. Ben bear was down to combat game. He was recording. I was recording, bebop wasn't hosting yet if I don't say. I remember nonstop and a lot of Dragon House member was their topic was non stop. And that was that we are waiting for the next event was 2012. But that's it. Which we we came back and we competed. And it was like okay, you're doing so yeah. We like little Atlanta, we thought. But then yeah, the Nationals in Atlanta since 2011. And debris kind of back and forth. I do love the scene here. It taught me a lot. They taught me how to get out of the shell. One point time I was jailed for some reason, though, we all do the shell. But just being around people, and like where they cheer for you, when they clap for you. Where like you think everything is fine, like silence when you dance is really not stopping you just beating your head against the people just with the biggest smile on their face.

Speaker 109:12

That's your photo both from 2021. And then, you know, from a couple of weeks or a few weeks ago, like you have the most joyous expression and both of those pictures which are like two and a half years apart, and that to me, like so. Like instantaneously recognizable. That's why I came up. Do you remember when I ran up to you? Like I gave you my card and I was like I sort of asked you before and you're like who the fuck is this?

Speaker 209:50

ourselves? Because Oh, I'm gonna tell you I was shot. And what we've done is people are just not taking pictures. appreciable. Like, I'm very much appreciable that people catch a moment. Because me being against it, I don't see it the moment anything so when so if you like I got a picture you dance magazine who showed me so I can see with us the art Yes,

Speaker 110:20

and that's what's so exciting about the fact that like, you know, damn reached out to help because now what I'm gonna do is I'm gonna actually go back through the archives that I have of like, ultimate dancers from like 2015 2016 2021. And then you know, we already have like this performance. So like, now I know the names of every single person from World of Dance. But now I'm going to put up like individual pictures for the people that like I don't know the names of, and then open it up to have people be able to like comment and like, say what their handle is, you know, because I don't want to like put it up, bam, that's not fair, you know, but I don't know, it's everybody's name. So like, literally just like, have y'all helped me, and then figure out a way to like, because with that app that I'm building, like, it's totally optional. It's not a requirement to like, be part of the festival to be a part of the app. Like, those are two separate things. But like, basically, I've learned, I've just started using this website called obsidian. And

Unknown11:28

you what, little heard I've seen him?

Speaker 111:31

Yes. Okay. So it's amazing, it was first started for like, for medical school students to be able to, like take notes and like refer back to topics. So it has something called backlinks. So like, if I'm making a pitch, and it says, like World of Dance on it, I can make every single person who within you know now whose names that I know, and handles that I know. And I can literally make a profile for each and every single one, and then tie it back to like which event that I photographed because like in your case, I photographed you both at Worlds of dance and one of the ultimate dancers, right. So like, then you can see who battle to because it makes connections between different people or like different links that you have. So it then is this like, amazing, like interconnected web and like, the more somebody's entries is like named, then the bigger their name is, like on the on the data visualization. And basically, we can see, you know, like, who was at, you know, who, who has been most active in the community. And, you know, all of that kind of which events, you know, have the most engagement, you actually have like numbers to back it up, instead of just like, you know, oh, I think this is what this means, because so many of you have like the potential right now, each of you are like your own content creator chapter. And like, if y'all were to, like, pair up with kids who are, you know, up and coming or even like amateurs who are trying to play around with like photography and cinematography and stuff, like, you could have every single like cipher battle, competition, like films going forward. And then when the app is up and running, you can literally like each have your profile, which is what we're doing right now, like the podcast for, and then can literally go back at any time and update stuff in the future once the app is up. So you basically can curate this entire gallery. And instead of having to pay for your own website, you can just use the link to your profile on my website that basically like you don't ever have to pay for it, and you can update it to have what you want on it. And if you don't want anything on there anymore, you can edit it at any time.

Speaker 213:58

That is, and I like that. No, I love that. I love that I love what you do, right? That will be like a paper trail is like a real?

Speaker 114:12

No, that's exactly what it is. And like, once it's up and running like basically I want to preserve everything via blockchain, which all that means is that there will basically be a time stamp on something when you upload it. So let's say it's like choreo right? Cuz this dance, this dance teacher up in New York, he just had this problem where he tans he teaches almost like you know, performances like you know, they have a lot of the heels they're like he'll classes and stuff and then there'll be finally learn Korea to like a specific song and like, not even necessarily like recent ones, like one of my favorites is the Whitney Houston, you know, like whatever you want from me song. And he he made this amazing Korea to I remembered I watched it like at least 10 times myself. And then it turns that this fucking old ass guy in fucking some terrible part of the country with like cornfields and shit, he basically stole his choreo to use in a competitive dance performance where he basically was charging each student 1000s of dollars and then took them to competitions where there was a cash prize, and he was using someone else's work. And the guy was like, You should call me for the choreo that you use to win. No, and that's the thing. There's this website, it's called fuck you pay me? And basically, I know, isn't it amazing, and basically can work influencers to go on there. And to check out each company before they see like, what they should negotiate in terms of a contract. Because what I'm even thinking to is, maybe I'll get it for myself, or I'll get it for someone who has a better following than me, and use it, research each and every single opportunity that like comes in for anyone because to me, I feel like so many people get fucked over. Like in contracts. And especially now everyone has to be fucking careful. Because the AI clause that they're using a lot of things, which is basically like, we pay you one time we record enough to be able to duplicate your image. And then we can use it in perpetuity without paying you anymore.

Speaker 216:34

Yeah, there's a lot going on with that one.

Speaker 116:39

People need to be aware of that ship before they sign anything, you know, yeah, yeah,

Speaker 216:44

it's even more of a you. It's a is way more forgiving. What you think it is, is way more be like, Oh, was interesting one, I have a couple of jobs. But one of my jobs is I worked at airport and I knew when I was on, I was changing. And I seen this video because they saw your demo video, right? So for videos, and for this specific video, I see one of my solace, and I'm part of a dancer training also, too. So I see one of my followers in the video. So I'm texting her and I say hey, did you do anything with the airport? And she said, Yes. And we've got like, three people, here we go. So I'm watching you right now. That long, and all your things you should be compensated for.

Speaker 117:41

Exactly, exactly. And see, the thing is, is that all of these concepts like social media is so fucking new, that like copyright laws, all these things haven't yet caught up to it. And so what's happening is that these companies are fucking using creators as a like petri dish, of figuring out how much they can get out of you before they actually have to end up paying you. Because all of these come. First, they didn't understand the magnitude, they thought it was some silly fad, they thought that Oh, EA will be able to get ad revenue, Len, they realized that all of the real stuff was the actual, like data that they were collecting. And then, you know, by the time like content creators realized it like they're the ones that hold the fucking power, if every single creator at once decided to like leave a single platform, like that company would fucking collapse. And so all of these companies are now like, oh shit, like, we gotta at least throw them something so they don't revolt and like leave, you know. And so now it's like creator funds, but they're not even doing close to doing shit. So like, if y'all have like metrics to show that like after this battle like you know people searching for you when up X amount of percentage wise, you can then use that to then pitch a higher rate and have something to back it up. When you do try to work with somebody to earn money

Speaker 219:13

is insane out here. Like you gotta read Tesla. They got it right. And companies find loopholes or manipulate you or put you in a corner. Do you want this? I do this every minute, either scam artists, there's so many times that when I look at my Instagram, and I might look into request messages, and all I see is like your videos are too awesome. Did I have the following did it and I'd be like retasking

Speaker 119:43

and that. I can't even tell you the number of people who are like, what's the catch when I like pitch them. And my hope is that I actually want to show I want to prove the fallacy that says that like in order to make something as simple that one person is the only one who like, benefits from it. Like, I think that's bullshit. So to me, I, I am like trying and testing out like different theories and concepts, right? So like, of course, the least I can do is like give you your footage, have you tell me what's okay to use? Like, remember how I asked you that and you were like, Oh, you can use whatever. Like I am writing your own bio, you picture on profile picture like, to me, I'm like, Who am I put words in anyone else's mouth, right? And like, I think that like, if I can do it, the flip side and say, I'm only going to take 3% If there's any money made from anything like streaming merch, whatever the fuck. And the rest, like the 97% gets split up between, you know, who was in the footage, you know, if there was an editor, the cinematographer, the stylist, whatever the fuck, right. And you guys will figure out like which percentage you want for each project because like, I'm not interested in doing all that. But like, basically, I want to show that like by taking so little, the same amount of money will have infinite more ripples and outward impact. If it's held in the hands of many people versus a few

Speaker 221:19

feel like blown away we use that I got to just show you of ultimate dancing. I'm blown away. Yeah, when I went to go look at those trips. Sounds like she was

Unknown21:38

she was definitely kind of a true bunny ears. But that day, you will. Okay, I believe her. Whatever she thinks I believe her.

Speaker 221:49

I believe her. I believe it. I believe when we're going to where we're doing what we're doing let go. Yeah, what's the thing? But see, the

Speaker 121:57

thing is, is that you're actually open to that. Like, it's one thing to have someone like me who's like a weirdo. And I think it's something I'm like a, you know, sooner librarian archivist, he's like, trying to preserve every single amazing dance move that ever gets done to the public. Like that's my mission. Right? And so a lot of people are like, Who is this person? Like, what is her agenda all this other shit but like, you were completely open, you were like, yes, let's do it. Like reach out to me or I'm gonna reach out to you and like, you know, when we did get in touch it was great because like, you know, sometimes All that matters is that somebody wants to make something with you. It doesn't matter like like I'm not of the mind that I have to get to know someone for months before or do like multiple zoom calls before we do a shoot together. You know what I mean? Like I'm like you want to do let's go you know

Speaker 222:50

Oh, yeah, I'm hungry. Right when you when you started my first month I guess it's still Yes. Yeah, whatever. Yeah. So what

Speaker 123:02

would you say your like, what's your dance like do for you at this moment in your time and has the role of dance like changed for you throughout you know the 13 years that you've been doing the

Unknown23:22

dance has been very very good I don't have my as my favorite phrase like he likes it I don't want to be like a saint my life

Speaker 223:38

but I will say it has brought me great peace and has been there for me during dark times. And I needed I needed a good breathe I guess last month so much now. The people you're not the only one that says the Smiley is is glowing now, because I really been through a lot like I lost my mom, my dad, my grandma in one year and nearly there was much behind each other. And that was a very dark time for me. And my crew that I have afternoon flew they literally was there for me during that dark time. Like the rest of us right now but they was there for me. That's amazing. I will move it due to that stress. I like PTSD right that was there for me and just use it around. Okay, first and foremost. Before that I was doing I was in the vein, housing Conservation Society band and marching band. The instrument I played the trombone. Okay, so I I play trombone issues I learned baritone, and tuba. I also know our natural finish around a bass drum. So with the music background dance, where it comes from, I have a much better day. Which is why I like I count up the Western league very differently than I want and I try to do is definitely listen to the artists or if these beats, I really try to listen to the beat, same here, the perspective of point of view of the producer or the eyes. So I can channeling and turning my body is the instrument. Right? That's basically everything. That's why I learned to freestyle. So I do need to estimate and be the physical form of music. Yeah,

Speaker 125:55

oh my gosh, that that's one of my favorite, favorite things is when like, there's a cipher like in between the rounds and stuff of like the all sales events, and then you get to see like, how different people interpret the same song. And it's like, it's just so cool to see because you have the exact same song, you have the exact same beat. It's not a remix or anything like that. Yeah, it's like different parts of the song that you get to see like, and I was wondering what the etiquette like, how do you even know like, when to jump in, because the times kind of like jumping jacks, you know, sometimes, like, if somebody's really going off, you'd like let him let them continue. You know, like, those. There's all these like, unspoken rules about it, but it's just so cool. To see different people with different styles dance to the same song.

Speaker 226:46

Yeah, definitely sign phrase of in which an unspoken rule is talking about a spoken rule, the one of those things that you would have to learn on the way of menopause. You just can't jump in the fact that and you think more like, when I sign for a snack.

Unknown27:06

I'll slow walk water. And, like I said, like you're looking at a river.

Speaker 227:14

And let's say the river just gonna be like, what's going on? Right, what happened? Where it really just flows, you're gonna continue and you know, eventually the reason I'm going to wet apart on a lake or out to the ocean. Right, he was going to see that energy flow of confused of the river. I know sometimes how you sit and watch sizes, but sometimes indecisive. So instead of like being the bystander, and just watching the energy flow, like, what is the danger is neither created or destroyed. Right, it's a win for the another.

Speaker 127:56

So the one thing I will say, though, is that there are times when I feel like, the moment becomes more than the sum of its parts, because you don't know like, during any kind of like a dance battle particular. Like particularly, there's like a moment where the entire energy of the room just, like revisit Gendo thanks so much. Almost. It's almost like a fucking you know, symphony, where it's like words again, you know, and you can feel that energy and it's fucking palpable. Like right now we've been talking about I've goosebumps, you know, there's nothing no energy drink can ever compare to what it feels like to be in a space like that, where like, everyone is just feeling something simultaneously.

Speaker 228:44

Oh, my God, I was I went down to Tampa for this one of them called pieces Nutana going down and again, fear had a video on my face. I have this bit on my face. But this does have a 20 minute long, maybe. But if this video has a cipher, and a cipher, you can nearly feel the energy through the phone. And it starts out small and just the creator is more and more people come around and they just exchange you like well, one person that thought the other person will pick up they just keep going at first pick up keep going, keep going. And he's just like, eventually it comes like a bottle like a cola bottle. Like you should meet up every it's gonna explode. Somebody's gonna like green dreams, that energy. And it just gets to that point where someone just killed things like where it wasn't for the builder back in the day.

Speaker 129:45

That's an interesting point. That like maybe they benefit from the wave building, you know? Because ever, he can't take it anymore. And so then all it takes is one feature off and then everyone's over. Yeah. Everybody like looks around, they're like, oh my god, did someone see my facial expression because I know it was fired. That's actually one of my favorite parts about photographing like battles and ciphers are the facial expressions in the fucking backgrounds like, oh my Derrick, from the early days of like ultimate dancer, there's this one of like, bebop and Hermes is like free actions. And I swear to you, like, I want to, like cut it out and just use their heads, like an old Tom and Jerry logo. And just like put that sweatshirt because it's like, like, if you just saw their faces without any context, you'd be like, I have to know that story.

Speaker 230:44

Yeah, we buy snacks that just happened. And a friend of mine was was acquainted my roundness nights. And Hans was the DJ. And he does something he's He's helping me call me the chairman. Oh, no more at the watchman as brushing Yeah. And he was really like, he just looked like like something just just took off. And I posted on my Instagram on my store. And I was like, your favorite he was like, he was doing something thankful pastries and be bought has so much loving energy. I

Speaker 131:33

you know, I told him that I want to fucking make him like the dance Mr. Rogers and LeVar Burton, of like Reading Rainbow because number one, his voice is incredible numbers. And amazing concierge, like conductor introduce her to like dance culture. For those who may not know as much about it. Like, I just, he needs to be in the ear of everyone to teach people to care. Because I really think that people understood like, not just like, the complexity of learning a move, but like, the impact and like the fucking like kinesiology shit that happens like in your body for you to be able to do that move. Like, if people like how hard it is to actually do what y'all do. And if they saw the background, if they saw like time lapses of you working on a move, like through different points in time, like, they would just have so much more respect for

Speaker 232:34

it. Right? Like our round is normally 45 minutes, 45 seconds to a minute. But that one move that

Speaker 132:46

I brought you. Some I've been like in an AF.

Speaker 232:51

Yeah. So like, some? Like, what if I'm sticking with their little tiny minutes ago, long time, you don't want to bore your audience. But there's one particular more you can work on that? Well, because I'm seeing someone that would be different, like in five seconds or three seconds or 10 seconds, you know, oh, that's cool. But let it be no personal names. Forget that. Like, dang, then Pablo, write something and then try to figure out how to because the body, the body is so different. He's everybody's body is so different. And you constantly pushing the mechanics of your body. And it's just amazing what our bodies can do if you really push it. But the timing trying to figure out, I really want to do this move right here. But how can I do this move right here and transition it make you a good wouldn't like it or not like a so it's kind of like throwing a car guy because like you're not good. Okay, cool. But our work is how to do this move for like, three more weeks. For your office for five seconds.

Speaker 134:12

Yeah. And that's what I admire so much, too, is that, you know, particularly like when y'all are like dancing, like when it's just a random selection by the DJ, like, it's not your music that you provide it. Like, it's so it's so interesting to see, you know, how their performance is different from like a video that they film, where there are similarities between the two, but then there are like, it's like two different styles in terms of just like an exhibition or performance versus a battle, you know. So it's just a wild amount of like, knowledge, but also, you know, freestyling that's involved. It's just It's so interesting to me and like, that's why, you know, with that archives that I'm building, like, literally, the way that I made the website is because I can't code and shit. So like, I'm making the webpages how I want different parts of the app to work. And the thing is, is now like, you know, with just the world of dance as an example, I can, like, make that little interactive graph that I told you about. And then also give an example of how monumental, like, dense information you can draw from just a single experience, because you can go through every dancer that was there, you can go, you know, post their old stuff, they can also add new stuff in the future. This was a single event one time in one city, you know, and we know at least, there are 50 people that this can build from, and that was just from a single event. And then it's just compiled in terms of like potential applications in terms of like, numbers and all of that stuff. So it's like a perfect little example of how this can work. But like, in a way, that doesn't make me sound like a crazy person.

Speaker 236:10

I mean, a lot of things, you have to sound crazy. I love the rule as people saying to the conference commission that you really want to accomplish. But that is a great thing. Like, that's such a great thing. I am just amazed of which you're working with. I'm not gonna look at your stuff on my I mean, how you capture movies and how you can have you still in office, we have this sadness moment right now. Exactly, we all are using real time is really happening. Yes.

Speaker 136:51

That's why I'm like sharing, probably a little TMI, which is why I decided to do the broadcast channel. Because like, I don't mean, individually, like DMing, 87 of you on a daily basis, every time something new happen, like nobody needs that in their life. So with the broadcasts channel, it's like, you can hop on it whenever you want to catch up and stuff, right? And, but it's been, it's supposed to be like, terrifying, but also liberating to, like, show my process in real time of like, what I'm trying to do, because it like holds me accountable, if that makes sense. Like, keep, like not saying that, like I'm doing it for you guys. But like, it motivates me on days when like, my brain isn't working, like in an executive functioning mode. But like, you know, like when I got like, I was like, if I get in nine profiles, then I am going to, you know, post them all at once. So that way, I'm not like doing every single day. And I'm not in the mood to be doing those. And like because my brain is all over the place. But as soon as I did it, I was like, You know what this is? I'm so glad that I did because I'm showing to you not just with my words, because I feel like a lot of people, especially in the dance culture, just talk a lot of shit and never back it up. Right? Which is I think any anything any place does that right? There's like a bado. There's the bravado side, but then it's like, do you actually back it upside? So for me, since a lot of a lot of people don't know me because they ever never, like, you know, I haven't been around for quite a number of years. You know, even though I started, you know, photographing, like Hermes back in 2015. You know, I have only been up to Atlanta, like five times, right? And then of those five times, I don't remember because of my memory loss. I have no memory before May of 2019. So like, it's wild that like, I've kept in touch with Hermes. And Daniel, you know, and even when I described the memory loss and stuff to them, they were so cool about like, inviting me to come up and photograph and stuff. So it's thing to like, both see things in the past. And then, you know, see you in 2021 and then see you again in 2023 and being like, Oh, by the way, I have all of this stuff that you didn't even know existed.

Speaker 239:11

Oh, that really made my day. I'm gonna keep it short, which they, they really made my day. Now when we're Jaime's I know, Hermes, if he was a kid, they used to go by kid. Remember those days with him? And I think we it was an enemy of being there. And this just happened. And we bumped into each other. And we had discussions. It's like, it's been so long it's happening. I mean, when he was little, and now he's IUD grown. I mean, and I'm proud to see that I really, I'm proud of the people that stick to the guns and you speak to where they do I have that great support system. And not everybody has that great support system that he does. And

Speaker 139:55

that's the thing about Hermes is that like, it doesn't cost him anything to like, he is so amazing about like sharing what he knows with other people because he's not threatened by teaching people stuff. You know, like he loves to pass the torch, you know, pass the baton to the future generation.

Speaker 240:18

Like, their past there's no I'm gonna he was gonna look like it was a couple of other kids were here pacifically he's battling grown people like that when I started in the scene, I think I was like 25 maybe looking younger. I can't think too much. I know right now I'm sitting at a six

Unknown40:44

I'll be 41 in January.

Unknown40:48

And I don't want to do 36

Speaker 140:51

I got mistaken for 32 bearing bearing? I think it depends on like, what age what is the age of the person saying that? Because the girls who said that to me, she was like fucking 22 So what does she know? Like the her like anyone anyone older is old anyway, you know?

Speaker 241:18

Yeah, I was I was always I think well, when I said people at my ages. They see me shocked. Yeah, like why there's no personal Young. Second of all, how you move. Right? Well, I agree. I live to a lot of rhythms and beats. I like I have a lot of phones like Oh, one thing I'm gonna do now that we are sorry, DJ, you're really really soon.

Unknown41:56

SoundCloud are away from you to listen,

Unknown41:58

I have SoundCloud so

Unknown42:04

why don't you ever profile?

Speaker 242:08

Well, I'm looking into getting an asset and I don't have a kidney yet. Okay, but I do have like phones I like on my SoundCloud and my phone is Oh, with my through my my first election, I'm planning to get his organization through the iPhone.

Speaker 142:29

Isn't there like first programs that you can use? Well,

Speaker 242:35

I do have a program on my tablet or my tablet is an easy thing. To download all my songs that I have on

Speaker 142:46

if you'd like I can reach out to my friend. She's an amazing audio engineer like she's literally worked on like over 1000 songs she's worked with like ASAP Rocky, and

Unknown42:58

rocky where we're doing now?

Speaker 143:02

No, no, no. Right? And so I'm going to ask her if there are any like just sheerly like solely web based programs that let you mix because like, there has to be a this day and age to not have to spend like, you know, hundreds of dollars to be able to see something even works for you. So like, there have other ways. So you remind send me send me a DM or something. And I will message her tomorrow morning. And ask her because she actually even teaches like, virtual classes to like, girls in Africa. Like she's already in the teaching mode. So she would definitely like she already does virtual classes. So I'll ask her, like, how she interfaces with her students across the world.

Speaker 243:53

There might be no right yeah.

Speaker 143:59

Yeah, you know what? You did a podcast with them last February. And so I'll send you the conversation so you can learn a little bit more about you know, like what they do and shit like that. And then also, I can also introduce you to John Tim, who was the DJ for my first ever event in New York in September. Oh my gosh, you fucking saved my ass because there was all this drama. All these people dropped out including my host. And so he basically saved the fucking day he came all the way from DC and then instead of a 45 minutes that he ended up doing a three and a half hour set and you saved my life. And so he does. He does disco, his his fish house funk. And the reason it seemed that is because his parents owned a fish shop Um, his parents are from Korea and they have their own fish shop. And that's why that's where the name comes from. But he has like, the grooviest, like three hour long mixes. So like anytime I have to, like get through, you know, detail orientated stuff like, it's still wiggling. So I don't like throw out my back from lunch. You know, I always listen to his stuff. And so I'm sure that he would be open to, you know, talking to you as well.

Speaker 245:34

Because I used to be a first of all my roommate. When we have a session, I was a DJ, I'm always finding music and finding. I'm always finding stuff. And then he like, bro, what are you doing? And I'm like, look for songs like, No, you need a DJ. Because these these songs is I'm finding how things like because I get to sit and listen to silence on Pandora. Either when I'm driving and traveling, or when I'm at work and walking around. If there's a song that I like, my mom, one rule is if I liked the song within two seconds, I'm saying and writing it down screenshotting up on Pandora or non cloud and I go back to the full song. Like, if I'm getting captured within two seconds, like okay, what is open your questions?

Speaker 146:33

I'm serious. Can I pay you for a playlist?

Speaker 246:39

Yeah, it was over. Yeah, I will play this for you. Oh, I have over 14,000 songs. No, I'm sorry. 14 other songs. Like in SoundCloud. Okay, maybe we're just

Speaker 146:59

only 13 songs. Okay. And the thing that has literally like right now helps me get the most in this out. I could really like geek out about like the brain and frequency and how music impacts it and like breathing patterns and physical things. Like I have this Epsom salt bath ritual that like helps me in a creative flow state. And like all this shit. So basically, because like, I'm manic depressive. So like, for ages, I think the reason why I had all of this stuff that's been helping me like, even though I have memory loss, is because I've times throughout my life, I think that I was always trying to like, be like, Oh, this is reality. So I would have like objects that like, grounded me that like, the next day, I would wake up and be like, Oh, this actually happened. It wasn't just a thing of my imagination. Okay, yeah, so for me, particularly like music, sometimes, like, depending upon how my brain is working, like, even things with like a certain like beats per second, or beats per hertz, or whatever the fuck it is where it's like, different frequencies, they actually have that like on YouTube. It's like your bipolar, they actually have like a, you know, four hour long recording that allegedly helps people that have that. So, and I also want to do this very nerdy idea, but I think it would be awesome. Are you familiar with brain wearables?

Unknown48:25

I've hold

Speaker 148:28

so the problem with them and this is how you can tell a bunch of white people fucking made it is that it's like a headband. So if somebody has like braids in their hair, or they have like, you know, natural, you know, like an afro or something, it wouldn't be able to get a reading because it's like, it's almost like a crown instead of actually like different electrodes, you know. So that's a flaw within the system. But my idea is that I want to have dancers in a battle. So like the person, the people that are against each other, each of the judges and also like the number one fan of each dancer, to all be wearing one during a dance battle. And the dancers brain frequencies are like going to be projected above the church's heads. And so you can see them side by side. And like everybody else to ever see if everybody is critical on the same wavelength. How fuckin nerdy is that will be no.

Unknown49:35

Judgment really?

Speaker 149:37

Yes, and not only that, if that works, then I have another level that is even more fucking ridiculous. Where basically, each because there's like four or five brain frequencies. Mostly people talk about four but there is technically five. I think four were just easier because I have this friend of mine, Jason Peters, who fucking makes these installation cuz that are made on like scaffolding, and fucking industrial white paint bucket, and gigantic, they're like, you know, 40 feet, I don't know, I don't even know the sizes, but they, they're, they've been in like town squares, right. And they're like, at least a story up. So basically he creates these amazing things and he has these LED lights that are threaded through them. And then they look like a pile of noodles that you just threw in the fucking air, right? So it looks to me. And then it has like undulating light, different colors, etc, etc. So now imagine with those break brain frequencies, each brain frequency has a different color. And then those colors, those wires are braided together throughout the entire sculpture. And then you can see like, each branch will be a different person. So like, the dancers have their own branch, the judges have a branch, you know, the fans have a branch. And then basically you can see again, whether or not people are on the same wavelength. And if not, it would still be a fucking glorious, like light display. Yeah,

Unknown51:07

it will be it is telling the truth. No, no, no.

Speaker 151:15

Even when I even when I pitch the festival, like this, the budget for the festival is like 10 grand, which isn't gonna get us far considering, you know, the fact that I'm trying to get at seven people, some from different countries like even to get to the right. But like, this is the thing people could donate like their points. So even if they can't attend to themselves, but they like one particular dancer, they can use their airline miles and buy that dancers fucking ticket. So like, we could save a ton of money, if we were able to, like get other people to support and maybe not with actual dollars, but with like, you know, they can get a discount at this hotel, because they know somebody who knows somebody kind of deal, you know. So I figured that like the more people that were on the roster, the more it would appeal also to potential sponsors. Because, you know, a lot of times, like if somebody can get their name, like, on something like usually it's like, the bigger the font, the more money you gave, kind of. And so you can even get, like these big names even to donate product versus actual money. Like if they have merch, or if asking if they want to have a booth or a table, like if they're a nonprofit, etc. The moment that they say yes, even if no money has changed hands, we are basically piggybacking off of the reputation they have. Because basically it's like, if they believe what we're doing is important enough to actually like have a table where they're sharing information that like maybe you'll pay attention to what we're trying to do kind of vibe. Okay. So basically, I'm going to be shameless, up and like everybody, for any kind of support any way shape or form because like, the fact that 87 People from four countries and eight states have said that they want to be a part of this, like, that means that this is this is like a nice, you know, like, this is something that resonates with a number of people. Because it literally like everybody, always everybody has their own form of like, protest. Right. And for me, it is by doing things the exact opposite way that I had been told that things are supposed to be done, you know, that.

Unknown53:38

What that unorthodox

Speaker 153:42

way? Yeah, yes, because I tried to do things, the quote unquote, you know, right way, blew up in my fucking face. Like, in the end of July last year to the end of August. I was in a psych ward for being suicidal, I got out of the psych ward. And I then proceeded to lose my company. That was one of the only things like I literally came up with the same ideas twice, because I lost my map. And then when I got when I got out of like, when my memory started back again, I was like, oh my god, I have this idea. And multiple people in my life. Were like, you've been working on that for years. So like, that's how precious this thing was to me. And then my Naik have a fucking business partner, who was part of the reason why I even ended up in the hospital. He fucking like, stole the he sold the company from me. When I had just been sued, he literally use the words that I said, when I thought that I would no longer be here. And he used those as my resignation from the company. And then when I was looking through the paperwork afterwards, strangely enough, there wasn't an NDA or non compete so Oh, who knows, maybe I'll try to do that again in the future. But I realized that he never even paid me a single share for the idea itself. Wow. And that's This is why I'm very passionate about people understanding contracts, and fucking themselves so far in the future because like, it is a bitter pill to swallow, you know, there's

Unknown55:25

a dirty game out here.

Speaker 155:30

You know what I do love, though, I love that he was not able to do shit with it once I was no longer a part of it. And in the meantime, since last August, when you stole the company from me, I've since come up with a different idea that is actually happening. And I've already pulled off a single event in New York by myself planning it from Florida. And then I went to World of jazz, and it just reopened this huge door now with like, a method that I can actually like, save it, and you guys have access to it, and it will so like, you know, I'll basically like consider each of you consultants, and you each get equity in anything that gets me because you guys are part of the reason why I even like, I'm figuring this out, you know, because like to me, like I said, I just know that, like, if every person has a piece, they're number one gonna be more dedicated to it. Because literally, the collective, you know, success is also individual success. Right?

Speaker 256:38

under you, so you're already, we already here. I love what you're doing. Once again, this basically makes a comeback. But you know, there's like, if you lose something, you work and get it back is going to be doubled. Because you're putting more into it. Right now you put in a lot anyway, so I can just ruin that festival and everything happens. I know, you're gonna be like I did. It did all that. But you

Speaker 157:09

know, what's interesting is that, I think, with the last one, like I said, I was doing things the way that you're quote unquote, supposed to do. And I was going against, like, what my gut was telling me because this one person who was successful enough in business to be able to have like, X amount of money lying around to like, invest in my idea, you know? So it's like, oh, well, he knows what he's doing. Right. But the fact of the matter is that he might know what he's doing in business in general, but he doesn't he didn't know the idea like I did, you know, yeah. Right. And the thing is, is that he told me to be very secretive about my process. Now, I realized he was doing that. So he could then claim to have ownership of it, he would never have conversate, he would never, like do things in writing, he would only do it over the phone, like he was just shady from the get go. And I never like really put two and two together. For me, I'm like, I want to make sure that this never happens. Anybody else. And there's a lot of people out there who were like, if they knew about the cool shit, that like it was happening. And maybe they couldn't like pay for the entire thing. But they could like, throw in some money here and there, like directly to the dances that they want to see perform. And then all of a sudden, you know, the money doesn't have to go through an LLC or a nonprofit, because it's directly from the person who wants to support the artists and the artists themselves. Like if you look at the website, there's actually a tip page that directly links to the dancers, then most pay pals etc. So if somebody was watching the rewind page on my website, which basically has the rewind from my event in New York, and it has like each individual performance, all that good stuff, so like there's a separate Tip Tip Tip page, and it literally says if you enjoyed watching any of these performances, here's where you can tip below what's that? Yeah, so and that's the thing because it's like I don't know about you but like once I get interested in something like I will go down a fucking wormhole right. And so what if you know all of your stuff was cohesively together like in your profile, and people could keep scrolling as far as they want with periodic reminders to tip you know?

Speaker 259:41

Like, I liked I liked that you you you all something, you own something I want you to go and you only sometimes keep going. Is that my folders for you only something is going straight to the artists is tacky. Instead of Oh baud is 360 stuff in news the first time you don't got time for it, thank you. I hate it. I hate it. I know I have to do with it. But if it just be that simple to do it goes my Pay Pal, whatever. We did it. Yeah, great. You just symbolize everything. You have a portfolio of everybody for that pitching video. Honestly, interviews you are. You're amazing. You are amazing. Definitely. Oh my gosh.

Speaker 101:00:38

Listen, I'm terrible besting compliment. So, you know, like, it's so funny, even though

Speaker 201:00:44

it needs to be shot when I do it constantly. I truly be shot. Yeah, yeah. Good. Yeah.

Speaker 101:00:54

Yeah, it does, especially like if you're physically tired, like people were coming, saying nice things to me at the end of my event in New York, and I literally was so physically exhausted. And I had also had a really bad anxiety attack on Friday. And so body was still like reverberating from that. So as soon as people started saying nice things to me, I was like hyperventilating, crying. was so embarrassing, and like the cinematographer even got it on film, too. So I was like, turned by back to the crowd because I was crying and he got like, my full face. double chin. Bad, but I kept it I could have deleted it forever. But I was like, actually, that's kind of hysterical. So I'm saving it

Unknown01:01:46

that's why

Unknown01:01:48

that's a good one right there though. Cuz cups your emotions?

Speaker 101:01:54

Yeah, that's true. He's that's the thing as a as a, you know, photographer or whatever. Like, I have barely any photos of me with a camera in my hand, you know, because I'm busy. You know? So, just like you said, it was nice, you know, to hear that I had pictures of you from years ago. Like, it's nice sometimes to have one of myself, you know? Yeah. So yeah, let me know, I know that I kind of went through a lot like, this is what I always apologize to me before. I'm like a fucking firehose of information once I get, like, stoked about something. And I think

Speaker 201:02:33

it's a good idea. I understand. Because when I get an idea, or have a moment, I have to get back to do right. They're like, Oh, that's I lose that fire. So I definitely understand where you're coming from, like not to make people understand, but I definitely want to understand exactly why.

Speaker 101:02:59

Yes. Do you have any questions that you can think of right now for me?

Speaker 201:03:05

I don't have any right now. Because my nerves this, but I would definitely if it comes to my head, I promise I'd be like, Hey, I got this question.

Unknown01:03:20

Any questions? And I'm still there. That was the wrong time. I thought I am you. I might the first question. So thank you. Oh, yay. Oh,

Speaker 101:03:36

my gosh, you just fuckin great for your first time. So thank you. Yeah, so what I'm going to cross, I'll then send thank you can listen back to it. If there's anything that you want to edit out, I'll just send you the file. And you can do that. Like, I'm not good at editing and shit. So and then once you give me permission, I'll then add it to your profile. Alright, thank you. Yeah, and I'm gonna be starting, I have to figure out like how to pose to Spotify and to Apple podcasts. But as soon as I figured out that yet another set of technology skills. I'm going to be posting the ones that I've done so far, like, I've talked to you I talked to do I talked I'm probably saying that wrong. Am I do

Unknown01:04:28

okay, I probably apologize.

Speaker 101:04:30

And you know, I think I have a couple other ones coming up. So basically, you know, I can for yours, I can either release it just as an audio podcast, or if you want, you can, like send me visuals that you'd like for like the video to play against the audio. So you just let me know.

Speaker 201:04:53

Get the audio. We don't keep sample right there. Okay, yeah, that's great. Okay.

Unknown01:05:00

No, no, let's keep it looking good. I don't fuck it up.

Unknown01:05:08

Well, this was such a fun conversation.

Speaker 101:05:09

I was so tired before we started talking. And now I'm like shaking with energy. So thanks for that.

Speaker 201:05:15

As well if you have energy because gravity means yell at us the right all day. Like, oh my god, it's still like this. Right now we're gonna thank you for sharing this platform and sharing your ideas with me and everything. I'm thankful that you allow me to speak on YouTube.

Speaker 101:05:46

Yeah, and I'm so thankful that you are, you know, joining me along even though I kind of don't really know what I'm doing. But being willing to, like, you know, join on the journey anyway. Because, like, what's that?

Speaker 201:06:00

You won't believe how many family I mean, I'm doing anything, any journey. Okay. Yeah.

Speaker 101:06:09

Yeah. And that's, like I said, when it when I said it was liberating, it's like, also liberating to like, because maybe somebody can, like, you know, see what I'm doing and be like, Oh, wait, you know, stop doing this. Because you'll I did it and it fucked everything up. And I'd be like, Oh, my God, thank you for saving me that time and energy, you know, so. So and it's also great, because the more I do it, the less I like, worry about it. And I'm like, this is just here. I'm not forcing it on anybody. If people actually want to see it, they can but like, it's not a big deal. You know, because I used to always think that things had to be perfect. Before I shared it with anybody and now I'm just like, You know what, fuck it because I don't want to be able to say that they stole my idea because I kept it a secret. And then somebody like, first publicly talked about it later, you know? So now it's like, you now have a timestamp of when this fucking occurred. If you do things after with it great. Just like pay me a fucking residual. You know?

Speaker 201:07:12

You won't believe how many times I heard that boy, are on PPC, great job a surgery so much do they don't want to get happy to be? I've heard so many times not telling the same thing. Just let it go.

Unknown01:07:26

says believe it and let it go. You're gonna even get your flowers, you're gonna get some flowers.

Speaker 201:07:34

You're gonna get yours. Because nobody will do like. And that was my advancements. Are you telling me? Nobody called dance like you? Because your dancer grew? Nobody can do what you do. Because you ask the right questions to give great energy. I'll make you more jittery.

Unknown01:07:57

I will make you more

Speaker 201:08:01

dedicated this oh, well, yeah, you're awesome. You're awesome. And it was a great pleasure.

Speaker 101:08:08

You know, what's funny is that when so the place I don't know if you watch the drone video of the location. But it's like this newly restored renovated park just like along the intercoastal. And then there's like this thing bridge. So like kind of curves, that goes to the Clearwater Beach. And there's like a trolley. So it's like a free ride from where the performance will be to where I'm hopefully going to be finding everybody a place to say because it's like, you know, there's like hotels and stuff there. So, basically, you know, the idea is that there are all of these things out that they're trying to do to like make it a quote unquote, destination, but the best thing that is in that area, because like there were like pirates and shit around this area, which is like the bucks or like a pirate like icon because that's like ties into the history of this area. So there is a fucking full scale replica of a pirate ship that is built to Coast Guard standards. And I had a job on that pirate ship in high school, like during the summer and my name was awesome Aggie so during the event, I actually want to throw like an event for all of the people who are participating in it and to do like a sunset cruise and then just have like music playing and shit and like let people have a good time and get to know each other before the event.

Speaker 201:09:37

Okay. What's interesting, interesting, I'm like looking at you. There's a video of it.

Unknown01:09:49

Yeah, just look it up. It's Captain memos. Seven.

Unknown01:09:51

Okay. We're gonna write that.

Speaker 101:09:55

Yeah, so that's why that's what I thought of When you said awesome, but like I said, I appreciate you, you know, trusting me with your time and, you know, I'm very excited to see you know, to be able to add to your profile so and I always love to seeing, like, what photos people prefer of themselves and things like that, like, all of that should is interesting to me. So like, you know, if there any in particular that you want me to, you know, do in black and white, you know, just let me know, and I can do those. So just, you know, keep in mind that this is like your virtual wing of the museum and like what do you want to say?

Unknown01:10:40

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I'm buying right now. That was no fun. Did you do your homework? Oh, thank you.

Speaker 101:10:58

This is very fun. It was okay, so I'm gonna hang up. Cross your fingers that it'll cross No. No, no. be the same. If you would, you know, like each moment has its moment, you know? Yeah. Okay. Fingers crossed with. Wish us luck.

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