The amber wood-paneled dance floor vibrated as bass beats rumbled through the room. Two crews lined up on opposite sides, eyes set on their opponents. The DJ scratched the record, and suddenly bodies flew across the floor and lifted into air, freezing in acrobatic and abstract poses.
The break dance-crew battles were a celebration of originality, soul and art.
Along with popping battles - which incorporated controlled, jerking movements - the Saturday night dance competition was the main event of Soul Cypher 7, an annual Gainesville hip-hop event.
Other events included Friday night's MC Olympics and Sunday's barbecue. A graffiti contest was also scheduled for Sunday but was canceled because of rain.
The Hip Hop Collective, an organization on campus committed to preserving and spreading a positive view of hip-hop and its culture, hosted the events.
The Saturday night competitions, held in the Grand Ballroom of the Reitz Union, were not for money but rather respect and appreciation of the art form and culture, said Charles Harriott, president of the group.
"This is what hip-hop really is," Harriott said.
Last year, more than 2,000 people attended the open events, and he said about the same number came this year.
Kevin Tate, a UF doctorate student and co-founder of the Hip Hop Collective, said Soul Cypher is a great way to dispel myths about hip-hop culture and show that hip-hop is not just about "cash, drugs and hos."
"This is a legitimate American art form," Tate said. "I want people to see that this is something that takes as much practice and dedication as any other art form."
He also said an event such as Soul Cypher, where women are dancing with and against men, is a way for people to see that true hip-hop does not objectify women.
Misti Lewis, who danced with the Backyard Funk crew, knows all about being a woman in the world of hip-hop.
"You feel like you're always being judged," Lewis said. "For a girl to do it, it takes a lot of personality and energy."
Soul Cypher attracted both amateurs and experienced crews, including the Enigma Dance Kru, a group from Tampa recently featured in MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew."
One of the most eye-catching crews of the night was the SB crew, a group of boys as young as 8 years old.
Twelve-year-old Mickey "Ketchup" Blocker, of SB, said he learned breaking from his father, who has been dancing for more than 25 years.
Mickey said he earned his name because of his love of the condiment.
He said he used to perform his floor work with one hand while licking his other hand, which was covered in ketchup.
Mickey said his favorite moves are head spins and windmills, and that hip-hop music and movement are a part of him.
"Whenever the music goes through you, it just feels so good," he said.
At the end of the night, 10-year-old Amaleke "Kidd" Bradley from Pompano Beach won the popping competition, while the Ill Movez Cru, known as IMC, from Carol City took home the trophy for best dance crew.
IMC's Sammy "Pretzel" Infante, 21, whose crew's first battle was against Ketchup's SB crew, said breaking is a good way to have fun and stay out of trouble.
He also said it's great to see younger kids look up to him as he once did when he first began breaking.
After the emcee announced IMC's win, Infante was thrown onto his crewmates' shoulders as they celebrated their victory.
"It feels good," he said. "It feels real good."
