Learn about breaking from the perspective of Jaïr Franken; a dedicated breaker, entrepreneur and general manager of NBL. He gives us an insight into the culture of breaking, emphasizes the importance of social safety and inclusion, and tells us about the rise of breaking as an Olympic sport. He also talks about the norms and values of his scene and how they helped him form his own identity.
Since 2016 – Dutch Breaking League
The Dutch Breaking League (NBL) was founded in 2016 and arose from the need to be able to offer structural (youth) leagues, Jaïr explains. “Before then, there was hardly any place for kids to be able to battle without having to compete directly against the ‘big boys.’ Quite honestly, as a beginner you really didn’t have a chance. Of my generation, only a meager group of twenty are still active in the breaking scene. The rest have all quit, partly due to the lack of success stories. I researched it in 2017 and the results contributed to the design for the “Challenger League,” which we introduced in 2020. Now we offer at least 10 events a year.”
The role of NBL within the dance scene
Breaking is not easily compared to any other dance style. Not because the dance form is difficult to combine with other disciplines, but rather because Breaking identifies itself more as a culture associated with the hip-hop scene, rather than wanting to be labeled as a sport or dance style. That’s why you shouldn’t think of the NBL so much as a union, Jaïr explains. “We want the voice of the breaking scene to be heard. We are not there for ourselves, not for the events and organizers, but for the breakers. NBL strives to meet the needs of the breaking scene. Therefore, we listen to questions and monitor changes in the scene regionally, nationally and internationally. When the needs of the scene change, we change with it.”
“We want the voice of the breaking scene to be heard. We are not there for ourselves,
not for the events and organizers, but for the breakers“
De rol van NBL binnen de dansscene
Breaking laat zich niet zo snel vergelijken met een andere dansstijl. Niet omdat de dansvorm zich moeilijk laat combineren met andere disciplines, eerder omdat breaking zich meer identificeert als cultuur die samenhangt met de hip-hop scene, dan dat het als sport of dansstijl wil worden bestempeld. De NBL moet je daarom ook niet zozeer als bond zien, vertelt Jaïr. “Wij willen de stem van de breaking scene laten horen. We zijn er niet voor onszelf, niet voor de events en organisatoren, maar voor de breakers. NBL streeft ernaar om in de behoefte van de breaking scene te voorzien. Daarom luisteren we naar vragen en houden veranderingen in de scene in de gaten, zowel regionaal, landelijk als internationaal. Wanneer de behoefte vanuit de scene verandert, veranderen wij daarin mee.”
Culture and social safety
An example of such a change in the scene is the evolution of the image of breaking, Jaïr explains: “The image of breaking is that there is a dominant, masculine culture. That’s true to a certain extent, although it doesn’t play as much with the kids, for example. And when you see it, it’s pure imitation. Moreover, the presence of women is no longer a rarity. It was previously a matter of visibility, but you see that changing as well. These changes bring up the conversation. For example, how inclusive is the scene? Do people feel the space to be able to express their sexual orientation? In practice, this is still rare, when statistically it shouldn’t be.” Jaïr emphasizes an important issue which comes under the heading of social safety, “You want everyone to feel safe. We are there for the people who encounter something else. The conversation must be held in a safe way. As an organization, we can contribute to that. That’s why we joined the Alliance.”
Standards and values
Social safety is a shared responsibility. There are no official policies on this topic within NBL, but you can find it within the norms and values that define the scene. As Jaïr explains, “When I teach kids, I feel more like an educator than a teacher. Helping each other grow is paramount. Differences are not only accepted but celebrated. Battles are not only about winning, but also about respecting each other. There is an open culture, and the mutual social network is a safety net. Everyone in the community feels responsible for this and equally addresses each other on undesirable behavior.”
The future of breaking
Breaking was recently recognized as an Olympic sport and is scheduled for the first time at this year’s Games in Paris. This new status brings opportunities but also challenges, says Jaïr. “Breaking for us is culture before it is understood as a sport. With the increasing attention of breaking as a sport, we emphasize the cultural aspect even more strongly. It is striking that the international breaking scene was not involved in the Olympic process. This is at odds with the bottom-up nature of hip-hop culture, which is in our DNA. Nevertheless, we recognize the positive impact the Games can have on breaking, such as nutritional awareness, health and recognition by a wider audience. Previously, it was less common for breakers to go to the physio, although one can hardly name any other sport that needs it more. However, it’s important to highlight both sides of the story.”
As to what dance has meant to him as a person, Jaïr concludes, “Dance has given me something I would never want to miss. It has taught me values… taught me what it means to be a good person. It has also brought me a certain self-assurance; I know exactly who I am and who I am allowed to be. I see peers sometimes struggling with their identity. Thanks to Breaking, I am actually very aware of that. Breaking has shaped me so much.”
“Dance has given me something I would never want to miss. It has taught me values”
Jaïr Franken