The Preservatory Project archives and shares the voices of the urban dance community across Maryland, the greater Washington, DC area and the globe. The Prese
This project facilitates the documentation of urban dance history by the urban dance community. The Preservatory Project interviews all types of individuals from urban dance culture, including dancers, DJs, MCs, club owners, music producers, music lovers and others. The project gathers first-hand accounts of experiences and events in the urban dance community as well as exchanges this information
across generational, cultural and geographical gaps. The Preservatory Project empowers all community members to share their thoughts and experiences, recognizing and celebrating our differences and similarities. We are interested in the substance behind these interviews. The quality of video, location, etc. is not necessarily the best, but it is not what we are aiming for. No matter the setting or camera quality, what is important is capturing the story and documenting urban history and culture. WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE
It’s your story, our community. This project facilitates the documentation of urban dance history by the urban dance community, itself. Urban dance culture is created in marginalized communities around the world. Starting in the late 60s to early 70s, many people from diverse cultural backgrounds contributed to the development of urban dance culture. Unfortunately, many of their faces, names and experiences will never be known by future generations. Disease, drug addiction and other natural causes have claimed the lives of some urban dance originators/pioneers, while others simply lacked an audience or forum to tell their experiences. The Preservatory Project is that audience and forum through which people can tell their narratives or even nominate someone to share their narrative. People claim that stories throughout history have been warped, changed, or simply untold due to the agendas of the individuals writing the history books and/or their disconnect with individuals they are writing about. The Preservatory Project invites all members of urban dance culture to tell their own stories about their experiences in the urban dance scene of Maryland, the greater Washington, DC area, and globally. Popular or not, victor or not, O.G. or New School, what have you contributed to this culture? Where did it used to go off? Who was influential to YOU in your artistic path? Here is a place to honor your teachers, mentors, and role models, tell YOUR story, and let the future urban dance community know HOW IT REALLY WAS. Don’t let someone tell your story for you. To submit an interview or nominate someone for an interview, contact us at [email protected].
06/04/2020
Jazzy J (Electric Boogaloos) & Disco Dave (Boogie Brats)
Urban Artistry Preservatory Project/Funk in Focus Urban Dance & Dialogue. Hear their stories from them. History, Culture, Lifestyle, Influences, etc.
Interviewed by: Rashaad Pearson & Ryan Webb
12/04/2019
Went through South Central Los Angeles with Gizmo Magnetic recently. He was kind enough to share his story as well as some history for the LA Robot Poplocking Styles out of the area. Topics of discussion include Poplocking, LA Robottin, Lineage of the styles, Groups of the area, Street Life involvement in the Dance, Exchange of information from the Bay to LA and vice versa. Feel free to contact him directly for any bookings. Tons of knowledge so check this out !!!!
08/08/2019
Preservatory Project (Boogaloo Traditions) Interview with Kerney Mayers of the Black Messengers! Kerney is a boogaloo from East Oakland California with so much knowledge, passion, history, and skill! He was kind enough to share his story with us as well as give us a quick lesson after the interview. We want to say a big thank you to Kerney for being apart of Urban Artistry's Preservatory Project! To contact or book Kerney for events, etc. Contact [email protected]
07/10/2019
Urban Artistry Preservatory Project Interview with Boogaloo Dana of Medea Sirkas. He was kind enough to share his story as well as break down some styles and approaches to the dance they did back in the day. Thanks to Boogaloo Dana and enjoy!
The topic....Boogalooin out of Oakland.
02/26/2019
02/25/2019
Urban Artistry's Preservatory Project is proud to release its latest interview with North Memphis Gangsta Walker OG Jaquency. Tune in as he breaks down some Memphis culture. This is real gold from a true north memphis OG. Enjoy!
02/24/2019
Urban Artistry's Preservatory Project Interview with OG Jaquency! OG Gangsta Walker, Pioneer, Legend from North Memphis. This interview is full of knowledge you guys, if you are interested in Culture, History, Memphis Jookin, Gangsta Walkin, or just someone with a really unique story...CHECK THIS OUT!!!
Urban Artistry's Preservatory Project is proud to release its latest interview with South Memphis Gangsta Walker OG Telly. Tune in as he breaks down some Memphis culture. From lifestyle, the difference between Gangsta Walkin and Jookin, Pioneers, The Music, & how he learned the style. This is gold for someone interested in Memphis History & Culture. To reach Telly, add him on IG at or Facebook at Telly Albright
07/17/2018
Urban Artistry's Preservatory Project is back with it's latest interview. Recently, while the Funk in Focus students were at The Strutters Room Master Camp in San Francisco, Hikari "Apple" Miller had the chance to sit down and interview Boogaloo Dan. This interview touches on many important elements of Oakland Boogaloo, the Culture, Life Style, Movement, Music and more. We want to say a huge thank you to Boogaloo Dan for taking the time to share his person history and knowledge with us.
The Preservatory Project is back with it's latest interview. Recently, in Germany, Future had the pleasure of working with and also interviewing the Legendary Mr. Wiggles of the Electric Boogaloos and Rock Steady Crew! We are happy to have him on our program and to hear what he had to say about his story. Within the interview, Wiggles breaks down some of his personal dance history, The Electric Boogie Style out of New York, and how hip hop and hustling coincide. Thanks again Wigz!
Urban Artistry's Preservatory Project is back with it's next interview in our series. This one highlights the amazing style of Memphis Gangsta Walkin and Jookin, and features legendary dancer Daniel Price of G-Force Crew. Daniel breaks down much of his personal history, the culture of memphis, and some also some Memphis Jookin and Gangsta Walkin history as well. We want to say a big thank you to Daniel for sharing his expertise with Urban Artistry, leading a workshop, and taking time to document his story with us.
For more information on contacting Daniel for booking, etc:
02/24/2019