Article written by Curtis “Peter Pan” Hedges
Date: February 27th, 2024
The Exploitative Reality of the Freestyle Session Dance Competition
In the vibrant world of breakdancing, where talent, passion, and dedication collide on the dance floor, there exists a shadowy underbelly that tarnishes the essence of this art form. Christopher “Cros-One” Wright, the organizer of the Freestyle Session dance competition, has emerged as a controversial figure, hailed by some as a community leader but denounced by many as an exploitative business person preying on the dreams of aspiring dancers. In this exposé, we delve into the grim revealing how Freestyle Session not only fails to uphold the principles of fairness and integrity but also jeopardizes the welfare of its participants. While reading this article, keep in mind that the author is speaking from personal experience, having participated in the inaugural Freestyle Session in November 1997 in San Diego, as well as the subsequent second and fifth events.
The Illusion of Community
At first glance, Freestyle Session may appear as a beacon of camaraderie and artistic expression within the breakdancing community. However, beneath the surface lies a stark truth: Christopher Wright’s events are designed to exploit the talents of dancers, particularly the impressionable youth eager to make their mark in the industry. By charging exorbitant fees for participation upwards of $50 for a single day event, Wright effectively monetizes the aspirations of budding artists, turning a blind eye to their financial struggles and exploiting their passion for profit. Christopher “Cros-One” Wright presents himself as a community leader, but his actions speak louder than words. While he may host events and promote the culture of breaking, the underlying motives seem to prioritize profit over the well-being of dancers. It’s crucial to question the integrity of someone who claims to champion a community while simultaneously exploiting its members for personal financial gain. In a culture rife with hero worship, where talent is revered above all else, accusations of misconduct are frequently swept under the rug in favor of preserving the status quo. The adoration bestowed upon Mr. Wright, often deemed untouchable in the eyes of his fans, serves as a shield against accountability, allowing him to continue his exploitative behavior with impunity.
A Lack of Dancer Protections
One of the most glaring deficiencies of Freestyle Session is the absence of adequate dancer protections. Unlike reputable competitions that prioritize the well-being and rights of participants, Wright’s events offer no safeguards against exploitation or mistreatment. If you sustain an injury while competing at Freestyle Session, you waive your entitlement to seek reimbursement for medical costs. This waiver is outlined in the agreement you sign via Break Konnect, a smartphone and online web application utilized to manage the competitions. Furthermore, Dancers are left vulnerable to arbitrary decisions on who gets to participate in the competition regardless if they paid admission to the event and biased judging with little recourse for grievances or complaints. This lack of accountability fosters an environment rife with exploitation and abuse, where profit reigns supreme at the expense of artistic integrity.
The Judging At Freestyle Session: A Popularity Contest
Central to any dance competition is the impartiality and transparency of the judging system. Yet, in the world of Freestyle Session, such principles are conspicuously absent. Instead of fostering fair competition and rewarding merit, Wright’s events are marred by dubious judging practices, where subjective biases and personal agendas often dictate the outcome. In every instance, the judges simply point left or right to which side they felt won the battle without any merit to support the decisions. This arbitrary approach not only undermines the credibility of the competition but also perpetuates a culture of favoritism and nepotism, where success is determined not by skill but by affiliation and connections. While dancers have openly requested for round by round assessment behind battles at Freestyle Session in the past, what can be done to make the judging better and fairer moving forward? Read the OBS article on Revealing the Truth: Injustices in Breakdancing Competition Judging Structures and Administrative Obstacles, to learn more.
Instagram Post by Bboy Bumblebee
(First Youth Olympic Gold Medal Winner – 2018)
Regarding Freestyle Session 2021
Source: StanceElements.com
(February 27th, 2024)
Christopher “Cros-One” Wright listed as Co-Founder and Advisor
Exploitation on Stance: The YouTube Channel
While Freestyle Session may have convinced the Breakdance community that the event is a proving ground for dancers, it is Christopher Wright’s YouTube and other social media channels under Stance, where the exploitation reaches its zenith. Under the guise of promoting the breakdancing community, Wright shamelessly capitalizes on the talent and labor of participants from many events worldwide, not just his own, leveraging their battles for his own financial gain. By monetizing videos without adequate compensation, he perpetuates a cycle of exploitation, where artists are reduced to mere commodities for his commercial endeavors. This egregious exploitation not only undermines the autonomy and agency of dancers but also perpetuates a culture of commodification within the breakdancing community.
Current Social Media Following of StanceElements
Source: StanceElements.com
When you factor in the amount of revenue that’s made from admission sales, the venue cost is free or reduced from bar tab sales, money provided from major sponsors and merchandise booth sales, and the revenue from a YouTube video that gets over a 1 million views, not counting other social media channels with dancers signing away their rights to any future royalties, you can clearly see that even if a dancer wins the entire event they get the shorter end of the stick.
The Mirage of Financial Stability
For many aspiring dancers, the allure of Freestyle Session lies in the promise of recognition. However, the harsh reality is that participation in Wright’s events offers little more than a moment in the spotlight, if even that, with no guarantee of lasting success or prosperity. Despite the admission fees charged for entry and the cost to travel and provide lodging depending on where the event takes place, the financial returns for participants are non-existent. Entering Freestyle Session is akin to paying for the privilege of being fleeced like a sheep at a wool convention, where participants are sheared of their hard-earned cash without so much as a decent haircut in return, leaving them feeling more like befuddled penguins in a dance-off with polar bears. It’s like paying for a ticket to a haunted house and then finding out the ghosts are your landlords – you’re not just getting scared, you’re getting financially spooked!
You would think that at an event that has hundreds of dancers paying the promoter to flip around for everyone’s entertainment over the course of a few hours would be able to have access to free water or at least bring their own? Not at this session. Most of Wright’s events take place at venues that have large bar tabs. By using a bar tab system, promoters can secure desirable venues for their events without having to pay hefty rental fees upfront. Instead, they have the opportunity to offset venue costs by encouraging attendees to patronize the venue’s offerings during the event. If you ever wonder why you can’t bring your own refreshments into his events and that it has costed upwards of $10 for a cup of tap water from the bar is because of the bar tab Mr. Wright is trying to attain. He would rather have dancers pay admissions to enter the event, have dancers pay for water after dancing profusely and then be exploited over his YouTube channel with the support from sponsors who further pay money to Mr. Wright for brand placement.
How many Breakdancers who won the Freestyle Session in all of its history were able to make a living off their dancing with the recognition gained? Even though the Freestyle Session prize money is clearly attractive to contestants, most of the time it falls short of giving dancers enough money to maintain themselves. Since the prize money is frequently insufficient to maintain a livelihood, many find themselves heavily dependent on the help of family and friends to meet living expenses, travel costs, and training fees. In addition, the dancers’ bodies suffer from the demanding training schedule needed to attain the competitive level of talent, which may have long-term physical effects and no medical benefits. It is clear from this dynamic that Mr. Wright stands to gain disproportionately from the battles, taking home the financial benefits of putting on an engaging show while the dancers bear all the physical and long-term costs.
The Ephemeral Nature of Exposure
In a world driven by social media and viral sensations, the allure of exposure has never been greater and the prospect of having one’s talents showcased to a global audience can be very enticing. However, the reality is that exposure alone does not guarantee success or financial stability. While participants may bask in the temporary spotlight of Wright’s events, such exposure quickly fades into obscurity, overshadowed by the constant churn of content and media.
Without meaningful opportunities for growth and development, the exposure offered by Freestyle Session is little more than a hollow promise. It’s fleeting at best, with little lasting impact or significance. While a viral video may garner a million of views and thousands of likes, the nature of online fame means that the spotlight quickly fades, leaving participants back where they started, with little to show for their efforts. Moreover, the commodification of talent on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram only serves to further exploit participants, who are reduced to mere content creators for the profit of others.
The Importance of Representation
In light of the pervasive exploitation and marginalization within the breakdancing community, the need for representation and advocacy has never been greater. Dancers must band together to demand fair treatment, equitable opportunities, and genuine support from organizers and stakeholders. They may have to go as far as banning and protesting against the event while doing their own events that offer the things they can’t get at Freestyle Session. By empowering themselves through collective action and solidarity, dancers can challenge the status quo and pave the way for a brighter future for the art form. Moreover, by holding organizers like Christopher Wright accountable for their actions, dancers can send a clear message that exploitation and abuse will not be tolerated in any form.
The Importance of Financial Literacy
In light of the pervasive financial challenges facing participants in events like Freestyle Session, the need for financial literacy and empowerment has never been greater. Dancers must arm themselves with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the complexities of the industry, from budgeting and saving to contract negotiation and investment. By educating themselves about their rights and responsibilities as artists, dancers can protect themselves from exploitation and ensure their long-term financial stability and success.
Moreover, by advocating for greater transparency and accountability from event organizers like Christopher Wright, dancers can help to level the playing field and create a more equitable and sustainable future for the breakdancing community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Christopher “Cros-One” Wright’s Freestyle Session dance competition is a teaching moment in the history of breakdancing, where abuse and exploitation are common under the pretense of artistic expression and community leadership. Wright degrades the honor and integrity of the breakdancing community by taking advantage of prospective dancers’ skills, charging outrageous fees, and providing no accountability or safeguards. This fosters an environment of exploitation and disappointment. Dancers and other interested parties have a responsibility to band together to oppose this kind of exploitation, demand transparency and representation, and work toward a day when breakdancing is valued and appreciated without being constrained by profit or avarice.
