New Hip Hop Dance Competition Show 'Break The Beat' Coming To SABC1

SABC1 introduces a new show Break The Beat, which will be uncovering Mzansi’s best hip hop dance crew in one of the biggest dance competitions South Africa has ever seen.  Over 13 weeks the crews, each made up of four or five dancers, will hustle to win the streets of Mzansi and the R100 000 in prize money.

The crews will dance off before the judges, who will have the ultimate say about who will be sent packing. Musician and presenter Fifi Cooper will host Break The Beat, while dancer and choreographer Courtnae' Paul is the resident judge.

They will be joined by various guest judges including the likes of World Championship Dancer and actor, Paul Modjadji and Durban rapper Aewon Wolf. Each week they will whittle down the number of dance crews from the country’s elite until only one remains standing. 

Presenter Fifi Cooper says, “It’s a fresh, new and exciting breeze to dance television. I really can’t wait!”

The hot new reality dance competition, which is produced by Urban Brew Studios, is unlike any other. Producer Dean Thompson says, “After intense behind the scenes cuts, the series will start with 24 of the country’s finest hip hop dance crews, six from each of the four regions; Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Bloemfontein. Break The Beat will feature two regions per episode with one crew being axed from each area per week.”

Each week on Break The Beat the dance crews will need to demonstrate, through their dance, their unique interpretation of a different theme. The briefs won’t always pertain to hip-hop and will include a wide variety of influences to keep the dance crews on their toes. Thompson says the crews will have a budget for wardrobe and props to deliver as authentic a performance as possible.

True to hip hop’s urban street roots, Break The Beat will take place against the backdrop of unused train yards, rooftops, abandoned buildings and the streets.

“SABC 1 continues to be the “Authentic Mzansi Story-teller” by taking the show to the streets to engage with the hip hop culture. Break The Beat will serve to strengthen the deep connection the channel enjoys with our youthful audiences. We aim to take the hip hop dance experience to another level as we offer ordinary young South Africans an opportunity to showcase their skills through their participation in the show,” says Clara Nzima, Head of SABC 1.

Break The Beat will premiere on SABC 1 on Sunday 02 July 2017 at 18h00. Tune in to see which crew will own the street.