Quest Apology To Bboy World....

[Younger780]

What is BITING? It's copying/stealing. It's taking moves, concepts, and ideas used by others before you. There are degrees of biting but I'm not interested in getting into that. I want to keep this post at the more important levels. Besides, I think everyone should know what biting is and if and when it is acceptable. If you don't then you are a newb or have no idea what breaking is about. Breaking is more than just moves and performing. it's a form of art.

Everyone seems to have different views regarding BITING. Is it okay to bite? My answer is yes. Let me qualify that statement though. Everyone obviously bites in the beginning but if you want to be an artist or considered a true bboy than you will get past biting. I think it's pretty clear from many of the posts on this thread that biting may be the start but once you get to a certain level you shouldn't be biting anymore. You should be creating and evolving your craft. Otherwise you will just be another wanna-be chump and won't be respected. Don't be that chump that tries to justify copying.

Also, I don't buy the lame argument that everyone bites so it should be okay. I'm refering to that youtube clip showing all the influences for breaking with the ending message saying copying is the highest form of flattery. That is a generalized argument that is viewed so loosely and in a vacuum. If that were true than why do actors/music artist have issues with pirated movies and songs? They sure don't seem flattered or happy about that. Also why in the world are there such things like patents? If it's not allowed in music or movies than why should it be tolerated with dancing? Of course there are influences and origins of breaking but I don't see bboying as copying. If they were truly copying, than things would stay static and bboying would not be it's own genre. Bboying is about evolution and transformation of the craft.

So when is it okay to bite? Imo I think it's cool to use moves that others have created as long as they are foundation or future foundation moves. I think it's lame if you take ideas and concepts. However, I have no problem if you are a kid just starting out and bite any move, ideas, and concepts if you are performing for an amateur competition or event. When you get to the competition level, you shouldn't be biting period. A true bboy is an artist and if you are good enough to compete than you should respect the culture enough to know that copying is for newbs.
As for Quest, there was controversy and people had issues because these guys are performing in front of a television audience using moves, ideas, and concepts done before and getting credit for being creative and original by the ignorant viewers. Is it their fault that these viewers are falesly crediting these guys for these moves? Should they have a responsibility to the bboy community? I wouldn't think so much if they were just regular dancers, but these guys aren't newbs. They have been in the game for some time. I think they were right to apologize, but I feel like they told a white lie when they said they didn't know. I don't buy it. I think these guys are talented but I do not respect them as true bboys or artists. That's just my opinion and you are free to have yours.

In the end, if you want to be respected, don't copy.

[jay2thec]

Originally Posted by roark247

Really!?! They didn't know!?! I find that difficult to believe...I did some more "research" and found the guy who wrote this apology: D-Trix also bit off another move by Project Korea from the same competition back in 2002. Just a coincidence??? Biting 2 moves from the same BBoy Competition??? Highly unlikely...see for yourselves (more comments below): The proof is in the pudding...

Original Project Korea Move Flare with a Chair (2002, mind you this is from the same competition they copied the Upside Down Man):

Dominic "D-Trix" Solo performance for SYTYCD:

I like QUEST, but now I'm not sure how much more I can take with the Biting and Seeming Lies...I think they are respectively dope, but artistically they are straight up biting. Moves are moves, I get that and people will always copy moves and moves will evolve, but these are Artistic choices (props integrated with moves) that are clearly copied and then to say that you didn't and you do it 2x. Fool me once and I can forgive you, Fool me twice and I'm the idiot. To me that is not growth to a culture, that is stealing creativity...my opinion alone, am open to hearing you all...

An Airflare is a MOVe. Tell me, how is putting a chair on a move?

[xeverex18]

I have never seen that video before. Either of them. If you are expected to know every show performed then you need a new hobby.

[xeverex18]

Originally Posted by jay2thec

An Airflare is a MOVe. Tell me, how is putting a chair on a move?

Not to mention KYS, Cico, Eagle1, and anyone that can airflare does that move. What was the arguement again?