"New Jacks" for Jungle Jills - A new accessory line from Kumari Suraj

"New Jacks" are the beginning of a new accessory line from Kumari Suraj. 

The detailed fabrics used to accent the "door knockers" has been collected from South Africa and various African shops in my travels.

"New Jacks" are a modified version of a Hip Hop classic. I jumped into Hip Hop during the "New Jack Swing" era. To me being a "New Jack" means being creative and constantly pushing your boundaries to imagine and create "new" art that reflects life. 

"Jungle Jills" are the daughter of the Hip Hop, Body Rock, BeBop, Urban Consciousness,Jungle Sounds movement. (If that confuses you chances are your not a Jungle Jill. Jungle Jills are modern day "Concrete Roses" with tribal ancestry. (And if you really break it down...everyone comes form a tribe or clan in some capacity.)

Bottom line: I woke up one day and wanted to create something different. These were inspired by a gift I received the first week I moved to LA from New York. That first pair of earrings did it for me. So now I do them for you!

For Jills with flava and style. Jills with more creativity in their pinky finger than Jazz musicians from the Renascence have unreleased material! 

For all my Jungle Jills these "New Jacks" are for you!!!

Large $12

Medium $10

***Orders for "New Jacks" will only be processed in Los Angeles. Unless I am traveling. Only then can you order a pair outside LA. 

For your pair of "New Jacks" for Jungle Jills you can...

1. Order via Facebook (if in the LA area)

2. Call my cell phone 

3. Pick them up in class

4 Set up a time and date to recieve your pair via email, phone or Facebook. 

"New jack swing or swingbeat[1] is a hybrid music style popular from the late-1980s into the mid-1990s. It fuses the rhythms, samples and production techniques of hip-hop with the urban contemporary sound of R&B. 

The new jack swing style developed as many previous R&B styles did, by combining elements of older styles with newer trends. It uses R&B style vocals sung over hip hop and dance-pop style influenced instrumentation. The sound of new jack swing comes from the hip hop "swing" beats created by drum machine, and hardware samplers, which was popular during the golden age of hip hop, with contemporary R&B style singing."

The Waacker's TV - Episode 5 "Debbie Reynold's Showcase June 2009"

The Waackers TV - Episode 4 "B.Supreme 2010 - Part 1"

The Waackers TV - Episode 4 "B.Supreme 2010 - Part 2"

B.Supreme Festival 2010 London, England - Performance

B.Supreme Festival 2010  London, England

Royal Festival Hall - South Bank Center

Click on the link(s) below to watch The Waackers performance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk7v9ZvaJf8

Dimepiece submission project 2010

In January 2010 I, Kumari Suraj, sat down with our crew stylist, Raquel "Bambina" Cabrera, to brainstorm a new photo shoot for the women of The Waackers Dimepiece partnership submission. The outcome was a “Tongue n’ Cheek”, LA Funk meets Waackers Couture, industrial masterpiece created by Raquel.  Raquel "Bambina" Cabrera being a graduate of FIDM with a degree in Visual Communications has an incredible eye for style and thinking outside the box.  Her ingenious creative "know how" was just what the group needed to pull off this shoot.   Www.dimepiecedesigns.com 

The following is Raquel's take on the project.

"When putting together the looks for this shoot I decided to use random industrial pieces creating an edgy, sexy look that would appeal to DimePiece.

Different elements were incorporated into each look. Be it anything from chains to broken glass, tulle or rope. To go from looking at a photo of a model with a tiger mask and lethal nail (see dimepiece website) to seeing my ladies embrace the new vision I created for each of them was uplifting. I feel like this group embodies the essence of Dime Piece. Not because of it’s fly clothes but because when I see your vision I see our dance, Waacking.

Here’s a breakdown of my favorites looks. On Coco (Celeste), I broke apart box cutters then attached the razor blades to a leather strap and wrapped the strap around her shoulder and waist as a belt. This look had to be my absolute favorite for the complement of the ridged metal and the softness of the lace and pearls.  For Q (Quinetta), I smashed wine bottles to glue the various chunks of glass onto a pair of satin gloves. (These were officially dubbed as her battle gloves!) With Yoda, I attached broken chain links to a piece of black leather trim. I then placed giant black and white feathers in between the links. The trim was wrapped around her neck to appear as the neck piece for her top.  My most challenging piece was Tiffany’s top. I wanted to make a bustier out of newspaper clippings so I took the pages and folded then like an accordion. From there I cut out the clippings, shaped it to her body and hot glued the piece together. Who know I could do origami!"

To see the rest of the shoot visit The Waackers Facebook Fan page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-WAACKERS/182989671404

Keep a look out for The Waackers upcoming projects...

The Waackers - The featured crew in Toni Braxton's new video "Make My Heart"!!!!

WATCH THE VIDEO!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0yo9XHAsZw

Claude Racine, Rosero McCoy's assistant (Choreographer), called Noel "Papi Ban Ban" Bajandas in regards to Rosero being interested in putting The Waackers in the video. The whole video concept was inspired by the underground dance scene.  That included Waacking, Voguing, Stepping, Trannies... all that good stuff. Rosero remembered The Waackers from the ABDC audition.  His assistant, Claude, directed him to our freestyle video. So.... Claude called Papi, Papi called Rosero who then told Papi he was to be one of Toni's main dancers in the video as well as having The Waackers do there thing and represent. Noel "Papi" told Rosero, that he would speak to the rest of the crew and see what they say, and of course you know what they said!! YES! Rosero asked The Waackers to come in for the audition so the director, Billie Woodruff, can see us. Papi went through the whole audition process with the guys and than it was The Waackers turn. "We turned it OUT! And all the director said to us was "You guys are gonna be a lot of fun to shoot". BAM!! In there like swimwear" - Noel "Papi Ban Ban" Bajandas

The choreographer, and director knew The Waackers were gonna add a funky element to the shoot, which its exactly what they wanted. Toni Braxton LOVES The Waackers, and so did the rest of the video crew and dancers. We looked BEAT!!! 

The name of the video is called "Make My Heart" and it features, Noel "Papi Ban Ban" Bajandas, Raquel "Bambina" Cabrera, Q, Tiffany "Clementine", Junkisha, Duo, Miss CoCo, and Yoda Pop.  

Read about other experiences with Toni from The Waackers.....

Duo - (Micheal Terrell)

"My experience with toni was very good. She was very open and was willing to talk with anyone. I feel our artform was represented very well and we got a chance to show what we got. Thanks to Rosero for the oppertunity and look out for us this year and the future"

Miss Coco - (Celeste Zarpas)

"when papi told us that we had been personally asked for to be in Toni braxton's new video i was more than excited. we were asked to come in and freestye infront of the choreographer and of course we put on a show. we all came as our individual character but molded together to become the great, unique force known as The Waackers. being on set all day felt like just a day laughing, looking beat, and doing what we love as a crew as opposed to actual "work". the music came on, the lights came up and we did our thing. we looked beat, we gave face, we hit mean poses, and most importantly we had fun together while bringing our style of dance into the limelight. long live the waackers ♥"

Q- (Quinetta Willmington)

"Begin on set wit my family THE WAACKERS was amazing!!! We had tons of energy that we shared with not only our fellow dancers, but directors as well!! Working with Toni Braxton was the bomb dot com. She's so beautiful and her body is BANGING!!! Im excited to see the finish product!! The Waackers were featured alot throughout the video...sooooo we'll see how it turns out!!! IM OUT LIKE EXITS ------"

The Waackers Private Show For Madonna in LONDON!!!!!!

The Waackers were asked to share a private performance for the original Material Girl herself... Madonna!!! It was an incredible night for The Waackers and well worth the blood and sweat….

Monday March 29^th, 2010 Kumari Suraj received a text from a friend (and one of Madonna’s dancers) asking her and The Waackers to create a show for a private performance in front of the original Material Girl herself, Madonna!  This request was based on The Waackers showdown battle against The London Waacktitioners Sunday march 28^th at Madame Jojo’s in London. 

Thrilled by the opportunity Kumari and The Waackers set to work immediately to create an amazing 5 minute show in 2 days for MAJ.  As Miss Coco (Celeste Zarpas) says all the time, “We work well under pressure and in crisis”.  An inside joke of the crew.

Everything was top secret, except for the actual day (Thursday) even up to the very last minute.  Madonna and her intimate crew of dancers and friends wanted no photos no paparazzi! Just dance! Thursday night The Waackers rushed from their tech rehearsal for B.supreme at The Royal Festival Hall around 10:30pm to meet their contact at the Tottenham Court station in London’s west End.  

When the crew arrived at the station the contact wasn’t there.  Kumari Suraj then received a text to proceed to Club Runway on New Oxford st.  and to make it there by 11pm or else!!  Top secret suspense!

Fortunate enough the crew made it in time.  It was a pleasant surprise to see some of London’s finest in attendance.  Everyone from Clara to Dance2xs to some of London’s best freestylers. 

The vibe of dance was just right when Madonna arrived. Everyone was hype and she seemed relaxed and ready to enjoy some good dancing.

Kumari Suraj was told repeatedly by her original contact, and Madonna’s personal assistant for this show, that Maj was overly excited about seeing The Waackers live!!  She had been told so much about The Waackers from LA that she giggled and screamed throughout the performance.

Verdict after the show?!?  Madonna LOVES The Waackers!!!!!!!!   Good things to come for the hard working crew this year!!!!   Thanks again to our friend in London for the amazing opportunity and believing in us!

***The Waackers who auditioned - Kumari Suraj, Miss Coco (Celeste Zarpas), Clark Kent (Lashaun Price), Cha Cha Bones (Frances Nieves), Bambina (Raquel Cabrera), Junko Sasaki.  

THE WAACKERS LOVE MADONNA TOO!!!!

Quinetta aka "Q" - from The Waackers featured in Estelle's new video "Freak" w/ Kardinal Official

Our girl Q is killing the game!!  This amazing Philly native now living in Los Angeles is working her "know how" and pushing the game for women in the dance industry!  More importantly "black women" in the very color conscious LA commercial industry.   With a laundry list of artists she has danced for since moving to LA, Q has been booking everything from Usher to Toni Braxton and now Estelle.  We love our Q and are so proud if this tenacious hard working woman on the move!!!!

Click the link below to watch Q in Estelle's "Freak" video!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rN5XmvRu

K0Soooooo 

More facts about Q you may not know.....

 Q was born and raised in the city of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Living in a city known for its artistic expression, Quinetta was introduced to the world of dance at an early age and since then she has been honing and perfecting her craft especially Hip Hop and Dancehall. Quinetta continued dancing throughout high school and in college she joined The Mighty Oracle dance crew, a primarily male hip hop dance crew, out of Hampton, VA.    

       Quinetta proved early that she had the drive and talent to be a professional dancer. Not only can she be as hard hitting and aggressive as the guys, but she could also be feminine, sexy and precise adding to her undeniably captivating stage presence making her a dynamic performer. 

       After graduating from Norfolk State University in 2007 with a degree in Nursing, Quinetta moved to Los Angeles California with fellow Mighty Oracle members. She along with the group began to make a name for themselves both collectively and individually. 

       Quinetta was immediately signed with Bloc LA, one of the premiere dance agencies in the US. Through Bloc she has been able to work with many talented artists and companies. Some of her credits include Jordin Sparks musis video S.O.S. and Nikes latest campaign featuring Charlie Murphy as Leroy Smith My Gift to The Game. 

The Waackers to perform at Bsupreme April 2th-4th @ The Royal Festival Hall in London

The Waackers will be performing a new 15 minute theater piece for the B Supreme female Hip Hop festival in London April 2-4th!!!!!!!

B Supreme will also be hosting it's first 1vs1 Waacking Battles judged by The Waackers!!! Let's dance!!!

Looking forward to an amazing weekend of sharing and new inspirations!!!

Kumari's Dance 2xs workshop in London March 22nd & 25th!!

**CLASS SCHEDULE, PRICE AND VENUES**
Mon 22nd March, Pineapple Studio 9
3.00 - 4.30pm - Waacking choreography
4.30 - 6.00pm - Waacking in Heels

Fee: £15 per class, or £25 for 2 classes

Pineapple Dance Studio
7 Langley St
London
WC2H 9JA

Thurs 25 March
7.45 - 9.00pm - Waacking choreography

Fee: £15

Fitness First Covent Garden
6 Bedford St
Covent Garden
WC2E9HD

**PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD GUYS**

Check out these links below to see some of her work:
www.youtube.com/kumisciouswebo
www.youtube.com/thewaackers 


**CLASS DESCRIPTION**
Students who train with Kumari Suraj, in Waacking leave class having learned the true history, movement foundation, musicality and lifestyle of Waacking. Students will learn the foundational technique of Waacking through repeated drills to enhance muscle memory and musicality. Students will also learn how to grow with the evolution of the dance through choreography. Upon completion of the course students leave feeling a new sense of self confidence and freedom of expression

**BIO**
With a funky father who danced on Soul Train in ’72 and a soulful mother who looked like the fourth Charlie’s Angel, Kumari Suraj was bound to fall into Waacking. Kumari Suraj is the founder of The Waackers crew in LA.

She has been the catalyst for unifying and developing the Waacking community in LA, Africa, The UK, Denmark and Malaysia. Kumari’s first exposure to Waacking in the underground dance scene came through Tweety in 2003 at Bboy Summit in Los Angeles. After directed to Brian Green’s Waacking class at BDC in New York City, Kumari began her journey through “Waacks”. Searching for the right information and correct way “to live the dance” led Kumari to take classes from and observe Anna Sanchez, Archie Burnette, Angel and Tyrone Proctor.

6 years into the dance Kumari Suraj has made an international name for her unique style of Waacking the world over through workshops, master classes, battles, judging and mentoring programs in North American, France, UK, Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Malaysia and South Africa.

With 23 years of dance experience under her belt, Kumari Suraj, has a vast arsenal of styles including, New Jack Swing, Vogue, House, Poppin, Locking, Bgirling, Hip Hop, West African, Latin styles and Ballet. Kumari has been a featured dancer/model/artist in various magazines, television shows and documentaries in North America, Europe and Africa. She has danced for artists like MC Hammer, Grandmaster Flash, Bo Benton, Carmit Bachar, Little Boots and Sony recording artists Jhazebel.

Now calling Los Angeles home, Kumari signed to MSA agency in 2009 and has been building her career steadily ever since. You can catch Kumari’s weekly Waacking classes in LA at Debbie Reynold’s, The Edge & IDA Hollywood. Part-time model, aspiring actor, fashion stylist, budding choreographer, full-time Freestyle dancer and life long student, Kumari Suraj is a hard working woman with arms open to the world and every opportunity that comes her way. 

Majestic Funk comes to London March 28th!!!

(Click on the images above for a larger view)

The Waackers are coming to London Town!!!!

We are bringing our seasonal event "Majestic Funk" from Los Angeles to London March 28th!!

 Come dressed "Beat for the gods!" aka "Funky Fresh"!!

 If you are a friend of Rhimes Lecointe bring her a BIG birthday present!!! Or 2!!!!!

The Waackers & D-lo present:
Majestic Funk
Sunday 28th March
hosted by: Kumari Suraj


1vs1 Waacking battle @ Barumba (next to Madame Jojo's)
£200 grand prize
Judges: Eva Schou, Karou Mendy, Sonia Mvondo
4pm-9pm
Entry £8
£5 to battle
DJ Zulu

Majestic Funk party @ Madame Jojo's
US vs UK crew exhibition battle (THE FIRST ONE!!)
(The Waackers vs The Waacktitioners)
10-3am
£5 all night
DJs: Jimbo & Zulu
Rhimes Lecointe's official birthday bash!!!
8-10 Brewer st SOHO, London W1 OSE