Sean (2005-04)

Question: Where are you from and where does your style/flavour come from?
(Where were you born n raised. Which dancers/performers or artists have influenced your dancing? Or perhaps something else like Kung Fu?)

Answer: My full name is Bjørn Hagen, and my artistname is Sean, it's actually my graff name, but i use it as my poppingname as well. Because everybody knows me by that name. I'm from Norway and I was born'n raised in Oslo city, the capital of Norway. First time I saw what we back then called "electric boogie" was in Malcom Mclaren's video "buffalo gal" I think it was Mr Freeze doin' a backslide, and i was hoocked. In the beginning I was basically influenced by norwegian dancers, (Knut, Thomas, Gordon, Kelly..........much respect to those guys). Then beat street came out, and what Mr Wave did just blew me away. Then i saw some footage of Normski, wow he was amasing! (back to the training lab :)) Then it took some time before I saw someting else, it wasn't until 93/94 I'm not sure, Mr Wiggles and Fabel was judging BOTY, and what they did was awesome. (back to the training lab, again) In 95 I met all the scandinavian dancers Steen, Adde, Damon, Patrik......And they all had a great impact on my development. And finally....in 2003.......i met and saw Poppin' Pete for first time (wow!!) Thanks for all the inspiration and pleasure I have had, watching you guys dance :) Today....there are too many dancers out there to mention. There's a lot of good dancers and the level is very high, and I feel like a small nobody compared to them.

Question: What are your reflections on the funkstyles scene today compared to when you started.
(What´s better and what´s not? How has it evolved? What do you consider over- or underrated?)

Answer: Today.....well I can only speak for myself, but I must say that the knowledge about funkstyles has evolved. Where the dance come from, how it's supposed to look like, what music to use.....etc. Back in the 80s we were influenced by NYC electric boogie, break beats and electro. From the hiphop culture. Today we look more into California popping and boogalooing from the funk culture.
Another difference i see, is that there's more "dancing" today instead of illusions (I say dancing in quotes, because it's all a question of definitions, "what is dancing?" With dancing i mean more funky and loose). What's not so good is the big diffrence between old and new school, well not the diffrence but the lack of respect to one another. We must accept those who wish to study the old techniques as well as those wanting to innovate. Personally, I believe good innovatin' comes from a strong foundation. IMHO.

Question: What do you think about mixing various styles in one solo?
(Popping & Boogaloo, Waving & Glides or what about Popping & Locking?)

Answer: I think mixing is ok, if you can change between them in a smooth way. I think it's easy to mix Fresno, boogaloo and waves. King tut and robot ....have another flava, but I'm sure it's possible to mix those with the rest as well, cos i have seen people do it. I'm not sure about Popping and locking, though, I don't think they should be mixed.

Question: Tell us about one of your most memorable battles/events.

Answer: The best memories i have, are from night clubs. When we just bugout and a circle opens and the crowd goes crazy. I never get the same feelings at jams or events. But if I should point out some special events, it must be Breakers revenge 97 (Oslo), BOTY 95 (Germany) and a celebration of Grand Wizard Theodore in NYC 99.

Question: Is there someone out there that you feel should get more attention?
(Someone who deserves more credit than he or she gets, perhaps unknown to others. Or maybe someone who has been missjudged.)

I'm not sure what to say here. But i consider myself overrated, I still have so much to learn. And i have seen so many good dancers around the world, that nobody even knows, so i consider them underrated.


Question: Are you still active? If so, in what way?
(Battles, shows, teaching, producing, music, merchandise, events)

Answer: I still do shows and I teach 2 days a week. And of course goin' out partying every weekend :D

Question: What do you think about crews?
(Is it important to be a part of one? What are the perks / disadvantages. Are you or have you been in one? What to think about as a crew member or solo act.)

Answer: I think it's important to be in a crew or at least practice with other dancers. Cos you get inspirations and they can tell you what to do or not to do....etc. And it's easier to get shows and jobs when you are in a crew. I can't say there's any disadvantages to be a part of one. I used to be in Atomic b-boys, but i was the only popper among the breakers and i think the difference between breaking and popping is too big. So now I'm with El. Tempo, which is a strictly funkstyle crew.

Question: What's your favorite music to get down to?
(Top5 artists or tracks?)

Answer:
Keep it live - Dazz band
Take it off - Chocolate Milk
The stick - Morris Day
Copy Cat - P-funk allstars
Pop what you got - One way

And a 1000 others :D

Question: Do you have any recommendations for the funkateers out there, young & old.
(Ways of thinking, practising etc.)

Answer: Learn foundations, a good way to build or own style on or any innovations you wanna make. And if you don't wanna innovate, you will have a strong technique which is important to be a good dancer. Listen to the music and dance to the music, dancing is really about making the music LOOK good. And your never too old or know too much to even learn more.

Question:Anything else you like to point out?

Answer: The real goal in life, is to defeat yourself. Skills are worthless, if it doesn't makes you to a better person.