The Real Future: Street Dance Conversations

This episode is the start of a new short-form series I’m calling Quick Hits.

It's a drum and dance improvisation similar to those that conclude most of The Real Future conversations. These non-verbal exchanges are popular, so I decided to bring my drum synthesizer to Unimate, a weeklong international convention focused on robot and animation dance styles.

Thank You to Jaja Vankova and Slim Boogie for welcoming The Real Future to Unimate 2025. It’s been amazing to participate as a photographer, and this year I was able to share music and movement exchanges with some of the dancers. These are completely spontaneous - we select a sound palette, then just go for it! This Quick Hit features Ray Psalm, a dancer from Washington D.C. who contributes her warm spirit and calm presence to the Unimate production team.

CONTENTS0:

00-1:15 Introduction

1:16-4:50 Drum/Dance Improv

CREDITS

Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer

LINKS

Nyboer Photography

Unimate Dance

My guest today is Sheopatra Jones, aka She Street aka She. I am really excited to share this conversation, and the drum/dance improvisation that follows. She has been mentioned by multiple guests as an influence and mentor, and following these connections is what this podcast is all about. 

As a dancer, videographer, director, and choreographer, She Street has worked with a long list of artists including Missy Elliot, Pharrell, Snoop Dogg, Donald Glover, and Estelle. 

She Street has also formed The Council, an L.A.-based Empowerment Collective that creates space and support for women through the medium of art. The Council is also an undeniably inspiring group of movement artists-follow the links in the description to see some of their work.

Our conversation explores her upbringing in Memphis, her organic development as an artist, and the origins and meaning of The Council.

We also have a drum and dance exchange that is truly an exchange - She plays drums and we took turns at the kit.

CONTENTS

00:00:00 - 00:01:33 Introduction

00:01:00 - 00:01:33 Conversaton

01:18:26 - 01:20:50 Nyboer drum / She dance improvisation

01:20:51 - 01:22:30 She drum / Nyboer dance improvisation

CREDITS

Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer/Nyboer Photography

LINKS

She Street YouTube

The Council Instagram

LaShonté Anderson

Smooth Galaxy TikTok 

Lil Buck YouTube

Jon Boogz YouTube

Ellen Oscars Promo

Estelle New Direction Video

My guest today is dancer and visual artist Jon Jimenez, aka Jon Gifted. As a dancer, Jon is a member of the pioneering Wave Gang, the  Newz Fam trump family , and the Rock Solid crew out of Dallas. He also works behind the scenes as a videographer and film maker. Gifted has a welcoming personality and a calm presence, and beneath all of that is someone intensely dedicated to his craft. When you see him move, as you will at the end of this episode, there is an intrinsic fluidity behind his expression. We talk about the origins of his organic approach to movement, his Latino cultural roots, and the growth of waving within dance. He also asks Me some questions about the roots of my photography.

CONTENTS

• 0:00 - 1:14:10 Conversation
• 1:14:11 - 1:24:57 Gifted asks Nyboer about his photography
• 1:24:57 - end Drum/Dance improvisation

LINKS

• Nyboer Photography
• Newz Fam
• Hampton Williams
• Boogie Frantick
• Tengo Talento
• Bomba Estereo/Will Smith Siesta
• Wave Gang
• Kittridge Waves
• Gr818ers

My guest today is Brandon Juezan, aka BeastBoi. Brandon is the Creative Director of Touring and Events for Versa-Style Dance Co., a Hip Hop dance instructor for Steezy Studio, and a member of the international Krump family Beast Camp. This is a unique episode. Before our conversation, I took a dance lesson with Beastboi and in the intro you will see some footage of my attempts at hip hop foundation. When he came to the studio a couple of weeks later, our extensive exchange explored his personal story, what it takes to manage and fund a non-profit dance company, and the significance of Krump’s increasing popularity. He also asked me how I entered into the street dance community, which gave me a chance to talk about the “Why” behind my photography and this podcast. I broke that out into a separate episode. We finished up with a nice drum and dance exchange that you don’t want to miss. Let’s  get into The Real Future with Brandon Juezan.

• CONTENTS•

0:00-1:30 Intro1:31-1:02:43 Conversation1:02:44-1:07:00 Drum and Dance Improv

• CREDITS •

Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer. Special Thanks to Versa-Style Dance Co. for permission to use dance lesson footage.

• LINKS •

Versa-Style ⁠

Roundball Rock ⁠

Rennie Harris ⁠

Buddha Stretch 

Marjory Smarth ⁠

Sho Tyme ⁠

⁠Beast Camp⁠

My guest today is Randi Freitas aka Rascal Randi. Randi is best known as a B-girl but she’s built a career that goes beyond breaking.  She’s a choreographer whose work has been on prominent stages including the Lincoln Center. As an educator, Randi developed Omega Flow, a floorwork training method, and launched Dancers U, an artist education program that provides creative space along with an entrepreneurial and financial curriculum. I learned about her roots in the California Bay Area breaking scene,  talked about what it takes to fund a full-blown education program, and discussed how the current political environment threatens the arts.

CREDITS

Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, ⁠and Photography by John Nyboer⁠
LINKS

• Nyboer Photography
• Paradox Sal
• Beat Freaks
• Femme Fatale
• Sherry Lin, MFA, RDN
• Passing the Crown
• Wondersmith (Juliette Jones)
• Wolfpack piece
• Omega Flow
  

My guest today is Malik Bannister aka Gvmby. Gumby is a professional dancer, fluent in multiple styles with a natural gift for showmanship. He’s also a creative director for film, and a a dance educator, including a role as a teaching artist with Heidi Duckler dance. Malik brought a lot of energy to the studio–and an extra set of bunny ears–for our conversation that touched on everything from his origin story to the strange place that is Los Angeles.

CONTENTS

• 0:00 - 14:54 : Conversation
• 14:55 - End : Drum/Dance

CREDITS

Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer

LINKS

• GvmbyTv
• Kodachrome
• Knox
• Norman Cunningham aka Brnx
• Friidom's TEDx Talk
• Something New Dance Video
• W.E.B. DuBois - Souls Of Black Folk
• Redlining History
• Bruce’s Beach
  

My guest today is Jaylin Sanders. Jaylin moved to LA from Nashville in 2021 to both attend college and pursue his dance career. He had been working as a professional dancer since the age of 15, has a level-headed approach to the entertainment industry that belies his years. He’s worked with Dolly Parton, Wayne Brady, and got a lot of exposure in the 18th season of So You Think You Can Dance when he made it to the top 6. Jaylin is a self-described extrovert and I really enjoyed getting to know the real person behind the exuberant personality. I think you will too, so let’s get into The Real Future with Jaylin Sanders.

CREDITS:

Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer

LINKS:

Weezy The Phoenix

Tee Kustin

The Artist Project

Dolly Parton

Jungle

Shay Latukolan

Everything Raw

My guest today is Saleh Simpson aka Robozilla. Since moving to L.A. in the middle of pandemic lockdowns, he’s been winning battles all over California and his reputation has really started to grow, as evidenced by his travels to Paris and Singapore. Choreographers are catching on as well, leading to recent work with Snoop Dog and Bad Bunny.

We had a wide-ranging conversation including a story about Twitch, the meaning of “animation” in dance, and how growing up in a tough environment shaped his character. We’ve collaborated on several visuals over the years and I’ve cut some of that footage into the video version of this podcast, including a really unique one at the end. 

CREDITS

• Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer
  
• Special thanks to Raquan "Chef" Jackson for garage training session and continued support.

LINKS

• Teddy Forance at CLI Studios
• Quan Tran
• Megaman
• Bopppin Andre Tutorial
• Animated J YouTube Channel

• Bad Bunny iHeart radio Awards 2025
  

My guest today is Shantel Ureña. Shantel is one of the first dancers I photographed and has experienced incredible growth during her 10 years in Los Angeles. As a dance artist, she’s choreographed her own stage pieces, created films, taught classes, and competed in the battle scene, all while expanding the range and foundation of her expre    ssive movement.

We talked about her upbringing in Tampa - Shantel is yet another Florida dancer who brought her dopeness to the Left Coast - about her growing career, and about building a more inclusive scene for younger generations. At the end she made it inclusive for older generations as well by teaching me how to dance merengue. I really enjoyed our conversation and I think you will too, so let’s get into The Real Future with Shantel Ureña.

CREDITS

Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer

LINKS

• Las Chicas del Can, “Ta Pillao” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r454DD4EttY
• Vyb Studio https://www.vybdance.com
• Yoe https://www.youtube.com/user/LiitleDancer1234
• Frantick unimate https://youtu.be/qXjSfLWMj1w
• She/THE Council https://www.youtube.com/@TheSHEstreet
• What Happened Miss Simone? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7jIOawq8y8
• Toyin https://www.youtube.com/user/toyindance
• Boujee Block https://www.youtube.com/@boujeeblocktv/videos
• Generational wealth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7r-27CaVbw
• Rated F https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL7rXUMKLsQ
• C Aguilera y Ozuna https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTqL6pHnAlY
  

My guest today is Hans Pierre. I met Hans at one of the legendary Battle Games, introducing myself after I saw him perform a headspin in exuberant fashion. After I met him, it confirmed my instincts that his infectious energy is   very much for real. Hans is not only a dancer, but an educator, the producer of Thesis Dance Festival, and in recent times has been the hardest working DJ in street dance. He’s also a major sneaker enthusiast, but that subject is gonna have to wait until next time. You’re about to meet a really special type of person, so let’s get into The Real Future with Hans Pierre.

CREDITS

Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer

REFERENCE LINKS

Jetlife Apparel

Isiah Beasley Solo

Jammin Da Beat 2010

Flooridians Channel

Crew Love Video

Thesis Dance Fest Channel