Like every time I’ve been, reflecting back on this year’s Outbreak Europe ignites a flashback of warm feelings, memorable stories, and special and crazy moments, all revolving around the joyful, wild, untamed coming together of the hip hop, breaking community, in the city of Banska Bystrica. By now we all know that Outbreak Europe is something special to be a part of. Hip hop people, from over 90 countries, don’t make the over 3 hour journey into the middle of Slovakia unless what awaits them there truly nourishes their hip hop souls. This on its own tells us the power of the Legits Blast Festival, and it’s always a pleasurable journey of mind, body and soul, to reflect back on it.
To reflect back on that special feeling of together that is in the air when everyone flows into the centre for the Thursday night festival opening party. An ocean of cyphers filled with bboys and bgirls eager to let out their excited, battle spirit. The Red Bull, bat mobile looking, DJ van parked and spinning out music into the night. People eating, drinking, and catching up. The smiles, hugs and fist bumps exchanged in Outbreak reunions.
Spectators standing on the steps of the monument and grouped on the raised platforms, tip toeing to see over the gathered crowd to watch and cheer at the wild behaviour and ‘ill abilities’ of the Jager-fuelled breakers cutting lose in the 7todrunk. This year Top rock was added to the mix, the crowd applauding for those 'Fly' in the way they rocked. And everyone got to witness the first bgirl (Ayu) to take home the Outbreak Footwork battle crown. All under the night sky of Banska Bystrica, the city that has become a welcoming home for breaking and hip hop, each year.
Reflecting back it brings to mind the special space that the Legits Blast festival has created with an event that isn’t just for the people, but includes the people! At Outbreak you see community leaders from different countries, respected scene figures and competitors, many of whom built their reputations at Outbreak, now contributing to its energy and vibe as commentators, teachers, DJs, judges, hosts, content creators, performers, and more.
You see the older breakers, once the young up and coming competitors fighting to make their name at Outbreak, now proudly standing with, and supporting, the new up and coming youngsters, who now stand in the spots they once stood in. A reflection of how Outbreak Europe holds up the legacy of the original Outbreak event, which was created by MexOne in Florida, USA.
Then there’s reflecting back on the return of the band, Fusik. After over 4 years one of the dopest live bands to bless the breaking scene with their instruments were once again live at Outbreak. Once again their music penetrated our bones, telling our bodies, “it’s time to dance,” and cyphers sprung up to their musical vibrations like a swarm of bees to the sweet nectar of their sound.
It’s inspiring to reflect back on seeing how only two repping their crew can still show everyone that two men, who are ‘Ruffneck’ in their ‘Attack,’ are strong enough to take on a whole tribe, and prove themselves the Cypher Kings.
When it comes to the battles the sound and energy of wild-uncontrollable cheering, and collective amazement, is what comes back when reflecting on the unbelievable moments that filled the 2024 Outbreak Europe competitions! Over 1000 competitors, the buzz of anticipation from all the people filling every space in the venue, from sitting on the floor, sofas and bean bags, to standing on the stairs, all eager to see the action. The battle circle getting tighter and smaller every time breakers entered with their supporters. The rap fuelled, funky-break music the DJs spun, scratched, and mixed bouncing off the walls and being caught and expressed by the competitors in ways that created the insane moments for which everyone went wild!
From Hiro10 answering Los Crapulos dynamic, blow up commando with his now infamous spinning and freeze hitting powers of fury. To Madmax slamming, sliding and hitting beats in ways only a musical Mad-Man can. Quake’s imaginary smoking antics before he smoked up the floor. The unpredictable creativity of the Body Carnival duo. The Wizardary of the Olympic champ.
The appreciation and respect shown in the exchanging of styles between hip hop brothers and sisters.
Young Djibril showing that you can win a round before even going to the floor if you’re truly fresh on top. The unquestionable confident expression and fire of the forever growing number of high-level bgirls, fearless even in the face of a previous champion. Syssy blowing up the room. The overwhelming talent of the youth becoming the future right before our eyes. India and Nicka going to war for the crown.
And so many more moments that made Max scream, caused Admir and others to jump up and rush the floor, and made the whole club erupt with loud cheers of disbelief, amazement and gratitude.
I’ve said it before and I'll keep saying it again, there is something primal that takes over breakers when they battle in the middle of a circle made up of people who are fuelled by hip hop and all electric with the anticipation of the musically inspired feats of breaking they are about to witness. And once one breaker goes off in that circle that energy stays, bubbling and vibrating, possessing every other dancer who enters that human made arena.
At Outbreak, even the traditional dancers stepped into that circle and took hold of that energy, moulding it to their style of dance, drawing the audience into the their rhythmic vibes, causing all of us to clap in time with their movements as they went off in their chosen ways. And by the end, everyone fully understood, and felt, the power of their expression.
This year the Country vs Country battle returned to the garage stage, with Fusik taking up their instruments to feed the battles. Reflecting back on that last day of competition, that outdoor space was needed! It was needed for the young generation of French breakers who went running and chanting with crazy hype around the car park when they took the country battle win.
It was needed to contain all the countries that competed this year, repping their nations together, whether they had five breakers or 30. And one country that came in force was Mexico, and they left with the story of their breaking community leaders putting aside beef to battle together, one doing a commando to the other, creating a powerful message of solidity and unity to inspire their home breaking community.
Now you can't reflect back on Outbreak without your mind flashing back to the legit wild blast that are the parties! The Friday at the Urban Spot, where once again people swarmed onto the stage, dancing and having fun with the DJs. Where the Red Bull DJ van sits parked outside playing that musical goodness for the Outbreak masses who party outside, drinking, chatting, dancing, and doing somersaults over a line of crouching breakers- yes, someone did that this year.
The wild Saturday night party where everyone truly cuts loose, fully channelling the party spirit that hip hop was born from. Where DJ Khan spun while rocking an Olympic gold medal, like a boss (only in breaking and hip hop). Where Fusik played live in concert, and Flea Rock, Ivan, and MG, also showed they know how to rock mics as well as dance cyphers. Where Little Shao, Phil and Ayu kept popping up out of the crowd like magical party fairies, smiling and armed with alcohol bottles in each hand, ready to pour tipsy goodness into the mouths of those wanting a little top up to their vibe.
Like every year, everyone boo’d when the lights came on and the music went off, but as is tradition the party simply moved to the edge of the car park where people cyphered on the concrete, partner danced together, and continued to vibe until the sun came up and beyond.
Like every year, everyone boo’d when the lights came on and the music went off, but as is tradition the party simply moved to the edge of the car park where people cyphered on the concrete, partner danced together, and continued to vibe until the sun came up and beyond.
And Sunday up on the mountain, people eased down with pizzas, drinks and Uno. Under the visibly shining stars, the Red Bull DJ van made its last stop, and people embraced and said goodbye to those catching late night, or early morning transport back to the world they’d left behind to get lost in hip hop for a few wild days.
These are some of the shared moments, feelings, stories and experiences we all get to reflect back on from being a part of Outbreak Europe at the 2024 Legits Blast festival. An experience I believe truly brings peace to our hip hop souls, as a regular reminder of the shared love for this scene, community and culture that we all have, and the blessings of a place we can go to, to enjoy it all together.
As always, love to;
MG and MK for bringing Outbreak to us every year. I didn’t get to say "hi" to MK this year, he's always busy behind the scenes, but you know the love is real. Got to shout out my man, Peter! Tallest man in Slovakia and forever putting in works, even driving people to the airport at 2am. Pablo, the legend on the mic. And MiniboJ for being our over the phone pee-break translator for our coach driver- another outbreak story ; )
All love of course to all the photographers whose work adds the visual power to these words! You all took so many amazing photos it was super hard for me to choose which ones to uses, as I wanted to use all of them! But of course I had to end with more of the dope pictures! Photo credits: Slavo Samuelcik, Little Shao, Patrycja Warzeszka, Genic and Fonky.
Plus love to the whole of the Legits amazing, friendly team!
Peace love and hip hop to everyone I get to connect with at Outbreak Europe every year, the old friends and the new ones. That vibe is always powerful and so much appreciated.
That's another one from your man, Manny.
Emmanuel Adelekun
The Vivid Scribe
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