Jabbawockeez

The Jabbawockeez, an American hip-hop dance crew, originated in 2003 in San Diego, California, founded by dancers Kevin “KB” Brewer and Joe Larot. Early members included Gary “Gee One” Kendell, Randy “DJ Wish One” Bernal, Phil “Swagger Boy” Tayag, Ben “B-Tek” Chung, Chris “Cristyle” Gatdula, Rynan “Kid Rainen” Paguio, and Jeff “Phi” Nguyen. Their initial performances involved ski masks and gloves, a visual tribute to the 1970s San Francisco strutting crew Medea Sirkas. This uniform choice emphasized a collective identity, rather than individual recognition, a guiding principle articulated by Jeff “Phi” Nguyen: “There’s no lead dancer in our crew. Our philosophy is that when you watch us perform, you have to watch us as a whole… When we put [the masks] on, it’s not about who we are or where we came from. We’re all one.” The crew’s name, coined by Joe Larot, drew inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky.” Over time, they adopted their signature white masks and white gloves, which became a defining element of their persona.

In 2007, the Jabbawockeez appeared on the second season of “America’s Got Talent,” where they were eliminated during the Las Vegas callbacks. A turning point came in 2008 when they auditioned for and won the first season of “America’s Best Dance Crew” (ABDC). Their participation involved a seven-member contingent due to show rules. Following the unexpected death of Gary Kendell and a knee injury sustained by Joe Larot, Ben Chung joined the group for the show, and Gary’s spot was left vacant, with the crew proceeding as six members. Their victory on ABDC brought them a prize of $100,000 (USD) and significant national exposure, launching their career beyond competitive dance. This success allowed them to transition into mainstream entertainment, appearing in commercials, television shows, and live performances worldwide.

Following their ABDC win, the Jabbawockeez expanded their presence across multiple platforms. They are known for their eclectic blend of urban dance styles, particularly popping and b-boying, meticulously synchronized to self-created instrumentals, which they refer to as “Beat-Kune-Do.” Their career progression includes significant milestones such as headlining their own live stage shows in Las Vegas, a pioneering achievement for a dance crew. These residencies, including “MÜS.I.C.”, “PRiSM”, “JREAMZ”, and “TIMELESS,” have been critically acclaimed, with “TIMELESS” being named “Best Show in Las Vegas” by USA Today in 2024. They also established JBWKZ Records to produce their music, signing production groups like The Bangerz and artist TJ Lewis, further integrating their musical and choreographic artistry.