If you ever wanted to embark on a journey through the diverse world of freestyle and hip-hop dance, snatching a ticket to The Groovaloos Show would be your best bet. What started off as a ritual gathering of street dancers in 1999 has turned into an off-Broadway tour across the nation. From their jaw-dropping dance moves, to the vibrant musical score, to the powerful spoken-word poetry, the Groovaloos are proof that dreams can come true and that dance can save lives.

After checking out the show in New York City, I caught up with Bradley Rapier, the original founder of the Groovaloos, and got the inside scoop on their journey thus far.

Mateo Magazine: Amazing show!! Word is that you are originally from Canada. Where were you born?
Bradley Rapier: Yes, I lived in Edmonton, Alberta until age six and was raised in Calgary, Alberta.

MM: So when did you move to Los Angeles?
BR: Officially in 1994.

MM: What was the purpose of your move?
BR: I had been trying to decide what I was going to do, ranging from a career in the sciences to working as an entertainer. For many years, I was dabbling back and forth among Toronto, L.A., and Vancouver. From 1991-93, I made a career in Vancouver as the ‘Hip-Hop Guru,’ since there was a void there for that sort of thing. And in that moment, I re-established who I was. Since I could work legally in the States, I finally said to myself, “Look, Bradley, you need to go. Really go for it. You’ve had your time. And now you have an opportunity. Let’s take it.”

MM: And we’re glad you did! Once in L.A., what was your first dance class?
BR: I wasn’t really searching for dance classes at first— I was searching for the street-dance culture. I got down with the Electric Boogaloos, Pop ‘n’ Taco. Class-wise, I did take one of Madonna’s dancer’s classes and started picking up choreography. This dancer brought me into his clique. I also taught at Joe Tremaine’s studio. But at this time, I mostly taught myself while also getting involved with club things, choreography, and street sense.

MM: Sounds like you got in there and did the work. Now, years later, you’re touring to sold out shows in New York City and getting set for a full 2010 national tour. There must have been major obstacles along the way. What are two that stand out in your mind?
BR: Number 1: Geography. We’ve had years of success in L.A. and Orange County. But we were challenged with getting the real theatre investors in New York to come to an L.A. show, understand what we were doing, and invest big money in us.

Number 2: Maintaining us, the group. Even though I am the founder of the show itself, everyone in the show must collaborate and put forth a real personal investment. Making adjustments has been challenging, since we are all personally attached. It has been a challenge to work together and keep the authenticity. We have had to deal with both the internal and external pressures of changing the show, and this has been hard because of everyone’s emotional investment. For six years we have been working at it, but I keep holding the group together and believe in keeping the dream alive.

MM: What separates the Groovaloos show from any other show out there?
BR: In 1999, you did a certain style of dance, and that’s all you did. If you were a locker, you locked. If you were a popper, you popped. And I loved all of it. When we starting putting routines together, however, we would put it all together: the popping, the freestyling, and the locking. We used a combination. We blend styles, culture, and sexes and find ways to bring forth solos, as opposed to just creating ‘cool choreography.’

We are also unique in our specific characters and in holding on to our authenticity. We are naturally bonded by our true love of dance. I’ve seen the hip-hop culture rob itself, with media misrepresenting hip-hop. Hip-hop is for everybody, not just those from the streets. Through Groovaloos, we break those stereotypes.

Dance has changed my life. As you learn the foundations, dance quickly asks, ‘Who are you?’ ‘What do you bring?’ You can’t survive in this culture if you don’t know the answers and aren’t comfortable in your own skin.

MM: Very true. The specific Groovaloo characters you talk about are showcased throughout the show. What are the top three qualities of a Groovaloo? (All you aspiring Groovaloos, keep those eyes and ears open)
BR: 1. Authenticity. 2. A willingness to share ‘you.’ 3. Integrity to the group.

MM: The show has a wonderful message: “Life is not always choreographed. Sometimes you have to freestyle.” Why do you think that a majority of us as dancers, and even as members of society, still fear ‘getting in the circle’ and freestyling our way through life?
BR: Great question. I represent that character. But, Rag Doll and Steelo are not afraid. They live for the circle and ‘let it go.’ I’ve realized over time that people just want you to be you. You can easily get so caught up in trying to please other people, fit into their perceptions, and live up to their expectations. But through the circle, they want me to groove like me—not like them. Dance has made me comfortable in my own skin and has helped me to be who I am.