MINI-INTERVIEW #5: YURI TAG

Dance is one of the fine arts that has adapted and transformed with the times. Dance is form a communication and expression, and has a beautiful relationship with the universal language of music, where one can hear and see the captivating moments that are created when these two fine arts come together. Now, the mediahas pushed dance to the forefront of society, with televised reality shows and competitions revolving around the fine art of dance. In my opinion, MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew was one of the dopest dance shows of our time. For those of you didn’t watch it, America's Best Dance Crew is an American television show featuring street dance crews from the United States. One of the crews on the show that was one of the “favorites” before the show even startedwas Kaba Modern, a dance crew based out of the University of California, Irvine. Kaba Modern was already known across the world, competing and placing in the top dance competitions in the world. KM has had a huge impact in the world of dance, changing the way people dance and inspiring many to pursue dance as a hobby as well as a career. I was blessed to have Kaba Modern member Yuri Tag take time out of her very busy schedule to answer a few questions for Cliff Notes, one of the flyest blogs in the world.

Cliff SKighwalker: First off, I have to thank you for being apart of Cliff Notes. What’s been goin with Yuri Tag thus far in 2008?
Yuri Tag: All I gotta say is that God hooked it up with 2008! Before the show I was working around 50 hours a week at three jobs and dancing with my team at night so things were really tough. I was trying to set up a career in the fashion industry while trying to pursue my passion in dancing with Kaba Modern. With the help of God and of course the show, my parents are now supportive of me dancing as my career. I'm just using the talents that I've been blessed with to my full potential!

SW: Congrats on you and Kaba Modern’s run on America’s Best Dance Crew. How did it feel to have so many people rooting for you while you were on MTV?
YT: Thank you! I can't even believe how many supporters we had! Honestly, I don't even know how we would've pulled through some of those challenges without all the love and support from our fans. One of the experiences I will never forget is just hearing the crowd go NUTS everytime before we performed. It was really comforting and it always made me smile, making me feel even more confident right before I performed. Thank you so so so so so MUCH!!

SW: Has anything changed for you and KM since ABDC? If so, how?
YT: A lot has changed! For myself, I did one last performance with KM at FUSION (dance competition @ UCSD). I really wish I could be on the team longer. However, I've already graduated college and I'm so busy trying to start my career, that I can't make it to all the KM practices. Right now I'm just training as much as possible, taking acting classes, helping out at my mom's company, going to auditions, and doing performances/teaching with the MTV crew. Amidst all this, I pray everyday for God's guidance and to find out what His plan is for me.

SW: When you first started dancing back in the day, who and/or what inspired you? Who inspires you now?
YT: When I did ballet and jazz as a kid, there was one girl that really inspired me and her name was Lisa Shimbashi. She was one of those older girls at the dance studio that was so beautiful, an amazing dancer, and she was Asian! Sadly I quit when I was 12 because I got all caught up with that Asian Pride Gangsta junk in jr. high. However I randomly tried out for cheer in high school (just for fun) and before I knew it, I was a hardcore cheerleader throughout high school and in college (Lisa also did cheer in HS). Cheer wasn't the same in college and so I quit that after my 2nd year.

I was always interested in graffiti arts and hip hop dancing in high school but there wasn't really anyone into that stuff at my school. Seeing Kaba Modern when I went to UCI is what really inspired me to learn hip hop. After I made the team, that's when my life changed and hip hop (not just dancing) became my passion. There's so many things that inspire me! God gave me everything that I have and He inspires me... Passionate people who keep it real inspire me... New music with sick beats inspire me... The Kaba Modern legacy inspires me...

SW: What’s your favorite type of music to dance and listen to?
YT: I love dancing to some good country folk music. haha jk!
I love listening to all kinds of music, especially the OLD SCHOOL stuff. 80s, 90s funk, rock, alternative, hip hop, r&b, and bob marley. I've got such an eclectic mix of music, you don't even know!

I actually hated the mainstream, radio music but i started listening to it a lot more after the show and i'm starting to really like it!

I love dancing to house music, electronic, breaks, funks, soulful, hip hop. ooh and i <3 haha ="P">

SW: Who’s your favorite music artist at the moment?
YT: Estelle. I just bought her album the other day and she's dope! She keeps it real.

SW: What got you into streetwear and how did you link up with Triumvir?
YT: It's kinda funny how I got into fashion because it was probably one of the last things that I cared about throughout high school and college. I thought it was such a pointless and wasteful industry. I tried the whole office job, sitting at a computer thing during college and that's when I knew I needed to do something with my creative side.

My mom is already in the fashion industry and I thought that after I graduated college it would be a good experience for me to try using my creative side while helping her out at the same time! That's why I started off at ZARA to get more experience in fashion towards the end of college (to prep myself for the real world). And that's when I started learning more and appreciating the art and creativity behind fashion design and style.

While working with my mom, I still wasn't really feeling my mom's industry so much.. it's really wasn't my steez. I felt like the streetwear brands were more my style because it seemed more raw (and they always have sample sales! ;) I heard about a triumvir sample sale one time through my friend who was sponsored by them. When I stopped by I randomly asked if they had any internships available and they just happened to be looking for some! That's how I started working at TRIUMVIR, and that's when they schooled me on street/urban/skate wear.

SW: In your opinion, what sets Triumvir apart from these other streetwear companies out here?

YT: I really like Triumvir because there's a meaning behind all their designs. Their designs aren't just about "what's hot" and it isn't about being loud and flashy. It's simple, clever, and funny. I love the attention to detail in their cut and sew pieces too. I'm a big fan of their design concepts and I feel like that's what really makes them stand out. Their Fall/Winter line is off the chain!

SW: Being that I’m a sneaker connoisseur, when I was watching America’s Best Dance Crew, I couldn’t help but noticesome of the exclusive kicks that you and the rest of KM was wearing. Are there some sneakerheads within Kaba Modern?
YT: Not really... we're too broke to invest in sneakers all the time. I love sneakers though! I just don't have the money to spend on it =P Thanks to Nike and Attic, we got some of the freshest kicks while on the show! Oh an I love creative recs & pro keds btw. =)

SW: Where’s the best spot to cop the illest streetwear in your area?
YT: THE ATTIC. no doubt.
www.attic2zoo.com

8010 beach blvd

buena park, CA 90620

...right across from knott's!!

SW: What else can the people look forward to see from Yuri in the future?
YT: Hmm good question? I don't really know myself! haha Wherever the wind takes me! I'm just gonna keep on doin my thing, doing what I love to do. Check my myspace for updates! www.myspace.com/tagalicious

For now, I'm just going to be training, traveling, and teaching.
In terms of dancing, the MTV crew will be performing almost every weekend in different states/countries so come check us out if you're in the area! I also want to start entering more battles after all this traveling dies down.

In terms of acting, I'm taking acting classes and will start filming for this low budget indie film called THE MIKADO PROJECT in the end of May. Hopefully I'll be able to host a talk show one day =)

SW: Shout-outs??

YT: First and foremost, I gotta give it up to the MAN above for blessing me with everything in my life!
My fam for being so supportive, Arnel Calvario and KABA MODERN/LEGACY/KREATIVE MOVEMENT, my mean girls, my friends (you know who you are), all the supporters and fans, Trip Family in Korea, Homeland, UCI bboys anonymous, Harie @ Yonsei University, suicide kings, instant noodles, culture shock LA, the jabbawockeez, TRIUMVIR, the ATTIC, HELLZ BELLZ, STUSSY, NIKE, MAKE LOVE, and of course CLIFF NOTES! <3>