By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

ALTHOUGH their hearts were broken last year because they could not travel to Las Vegas,  Xclusiv Dance Crew of Freeport are determined to represent the Bahamas in an upcoming international competition.

Last year was disappointing for the dance troupe, as they did not have adequate funding to travel to compete in the international Hip Hop competition. During the Bahamas National Dance Competition Xclusiv was chosen as one of the most outstanding groups to compete in the Hip Hop International (HHI). However, they never made it to Las Vegas.

“It would have literally meant the world to us if we went last year. Words cannot express what it would have meant to us if we got the opportunity to compete. God along with dance is life for us, and to be surrounded by thousands of our own kind the feeling would be too amazing to express,” said Luke Ignace of Xclusiv Dance Crew.

This time around is also disappointing for the crew because they are not eligible to enter as a contestant in HHI.

“The HHI has an age limit depending on the category you enter.  So the members in our crew that are under age 18 could not participate. The majority of us are 18 and above. We had plans to still go to HHI but after losing an important member at a crucial moment we had to once again give up on going this year,” Luke said.

To compete in the HHI a group must have at least five people who are 18 years and over.

Despite not fulfilling the requirements of the HHI, Xclusiv found another international competition where they could show off their skills and represent the Bahamas.

“We did find another competition to compete in.  It is “Battlegrounds” which is held in Australia. We hold the same passion as if we were going to Vegas. We are just seeking funding for the trip,”  Luke told Tribune Entertainment.

If they make it to Battlegrounds in Australia the group said they will do their best to represent the country well.

“This trip gives us the chance to show the world just how amazing we are. We represent our nation as we compete against the world, as we practice in the elements everyday sharpening our skills, we humbly but eagerly prepare ourselves for the competition. We would like to show others that they too are capable of achieving their dreams through perseverance,” he said.

Xclusiv group came together three years ago after two of the current group members bucked heads at a dance competition. Since then, they have been perfected dance styles including break-dancing, tutting, waving, popping, isolation’s, turfing, dance-hall, jerking, and dougie’ing.

“The group began when I battled Darion Vogt, who is also a member, at a Christian Hip Hop dance competition. The dance battle brought us together and we later became close friends. We would practice together all the time.”

In the past the dance troupe decided to stay away from battling or competing because they considered themselves unprepared. “We knew what was out there and we decided to improve our skills before venturing into a battlefield unprepared.”

Xclusiv Dance Crew’s current members include Cameron Pennington, Joe Dames, Keno Ignace Dwanae Thurston Tiara Brown, and Luke Ignace.