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Flying Steps

Flying Steps is a pioneering Berlin-based breakdance crew specializing in urban dance styles such as b-boying, popping, and hip-hop, renowned for blending competitive breaking with theatrical productions that have captivated global audiences.^[1] Founded in 1993 by Vartan Bassil and Kadir "Amigo" Memis, the group quickly rose to prominence as one of the world's top breakdance ensembles, achieving four world championships: two victories at the Battle of the Year in 1994 and 2000, and two at the Red Bull Beat Battle in 2005 and 2007.^[1]^[2] The crew's innovative approach extended beyond competitions into multimedia performances and music production; in 1998, they featured on the single Super Sonic with Music Instructor, which sold over 250,000 copies worldwide and blended breakbeats with electronic elements.^[1] Their landmark shows, such as Red Bull Flying Bach—premiered in 2010 at Berlin's Neue Nationalgalerie, combining Bach's music with breakdancing—and Red Bull Flying Illusion, which debuted in 2014 at the Tempodrom, have collectively reached more than 500,000 live spectators through international tours, with recent productions like Flying Lights (premiered August 2025) continuing their innovative fusion.^[1]^[2]^[3] These productions highlight Flying Steps' signature fusion of street dance precision, acrobatics, and narrative storytelling, often collaborating with brands and corporations for over 1,993 customized events.^[1] Complementing their performance legacy, Flying Steps established the Flying Steps Academy on June 25, 2007, in Berlin-Kreuzberg, which has grown into Germany's largest urban dance school, offering classes in 20 styles taught by 75 instructors to over 4,000 students weekly across three locations (including Munich) as of 2025, following expansions such as the new SAP Garden site in November 2024.^[1]^[4]^[5] With a core team of more than 35 dancers and key figures like Creative Director Vartan Bassil and CEOs Timm Zolpys and Stefan Lechermann, the group continues to influence urban dance culture through education, global tours, and cultural initiatives, solidifying their status as breakdance ambassadors.^[1]

History

Formation

Flying Steps was founded in 1993 in Berlin, Germany, by Kadir Memis, known as "Amigo," and Vartan Bassil, initially as a B-boy crew immersed in the city's underground hip-hop scene.^[1] Emerging from Berlin's vibrant yet nascent breakdance culture in districts like Wedding and Moabit, the group began as an amateur collective of young dancers who gathered to practice and battle, training in community spaces such as the Haus der Jugend youth center.^[6]^[7] The crew's early influences drew from both local Berlin traditions and broader global hip-hop movements, with founders like Bassil inspired by mid-1980s American films such as Beat Street and Breakin', which popularized breaking as a cultural expression of urban youth.^[6] Exposure to MTV and the integrated elements of hip-hop—including DJing, rapping, graffiti, and breakdancing—further shaped their style, reflecting the multicultural fabric of post-reunification Berlin.^[7] Starting small with a core group of friends and expanding through grassroots recruitment, Flying Steps quickly incorporated talented local B-boys; notable member Michael Rosemann, alias "Mikel," began his dance journey in 1991 at a youth center workshop.^[8]^[9] The crew honed their skills through informal street performances and club appearances, as well as local competitions, fostering a tight-knit dynamic amid Berlin's evolving hip-hop community.^[6] In the post-Cold War era of the early 1990s, Flying Steps faced significant challenges, including limited resources, scarce funding for urban arts, and the need to build a following in a city still grappling with reunification's economic and social upheavals.^[7] Dancers often practiced in secret or on basic setups like PVC mats in anonymous, diverse neighborhoods, relying on personal passion and community networks to overcome the lack of formal support and venues for breakdance crews.^[6]^[7] This grassroots perseverance laid the foundation for their eventual professional trajectory.

Expansion and Achievements

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Flying Steps evolved from a competition-oriented crew into a professional dance entity, releasing early singles such as "We Gonna Rock It" in 2001, which marked their entry into the music industry.^[10]^[11] This transition facilitated broader professional performances, including corporate shows and media appearances, while their debut album B-Town in 2001 showcased original tracks blending breakbeat and electro influences, produced primarily by Gregory Engelhardt and Thorsten Wittig.^[10]^[11] Their first major achievement came in 1994 with a victory at the Battle of the Year, propelling their recognition.^[1] Flying Steps Entertainment, the production arm of the group, formalized its operations around this period to develop urban dance concepts for global advertising clients, having created hundreds of such projects since the company's inception tied to the crew's 1993 founding. A pivotal achievement came in 2005–2008 with their involvement in the PlayStation 2 game B-Boy, where crew member Benny Kimoto's signature power moves and freezes were directly incorporated, enhancing the game's authentic representation of breaking culture.^[12]^[13] By 2007, the group established the Flying Steps Academy in Berlin, Germany's largest urban dance school, which initially trained aspiring dancers in multiple styles and has since expanded to serve over 4,000 students weekly across 20 disciplines with 75 instructors. The academy expanded to three locations as of 2025, including Munich, reflecting the company's scaling to support a roster exceeding 30 professional dancers for performances and education.^[1] Ongoing collaborations with Red Bull, including the 2016 U.S. tour of Flying Bach that bridged classical music and breaking for audiences in multiple cities, have bolstered their international presence, with shows reaching over 500,000 live viewers worldwide through extensive tours in Europe, North America, and beyond. As quadruple breakdance world champions, these expansions have solidified Flying Steps as a leading force in urban dance entertainment up to 2025.^[1]^[14]

Dance Styles and Techniques

Core Disciplines

Flying Steps' core disciplines are anchored in the essential styles of hip-hop dance, namely b-boying (breakdancing), popping, and locking, which form the technical backbone of their performances and training programs.^[1] These styles emphasize athleticism, rhythm, and expressive movement, drawing from the street dance traditions that originated in the United States.^[15] B-boying constitutes a primary focus, featuring power moves, footwork patterns, and freezes that highlight strength, rhythm, and dramatic posing. Popping, another cornerstone, involves muscle isolations to create illusory effects through techniques like waving and animation. Locking complements these with its playful, punctuated gestures, including points, locks, and scoops.^[1] Routines integrate broader hip-hop elements, such as grooves—subtle body sways aligned with the beat—and musicality, where dancers respond dynamically to musical breaks, layers, and tempos to enhance emotional depth and flow.^[16] This fusion ensures cohesive group dynamics, with movements synchronized to amplify collective impact. The company's training philosophy prioritizes precision in execution to master complex isolations and transitions, synchronization among dancers for seamless ensemble work, and storytelling through movement, where technical prowess conveys narrative arcs and cultural expression in performances.^[16] Historically, these disciplines trace their roots to the 1970s and 1980s U.S. hip-hop scene in the Bronx, New York, where b-boying emerged at block parties amid African American and Latino communities, while popping and locking developed on the West Coast as funk-inspired responses to disco.^[17]^[15] Flying Steps adapted these American origins to a European context upon their founding in Berlin in 1993, blending them with local influences to professionalize street dance for theater and global stages.^[1]

Evolution and Innovations

In the 2000s, Flying Steps began incorporating elements of house dance and contemporary dance into their repertoire, expanding beyond their foundational breakdancing roots to create more fluid and expressive movements. This evolution was supported by the establishment of the Flying Steps Academy in 2007, which introduced classes in Afro House, Contemporary Dance, and Ballet alongside traditional urban styles, allowing dancers to blend rhythmic house footwork with interpretive contemporary techniques.^[1] A key innovation during this period was the fusion of urban dance with classical music, enabling performers to reinterpret structured compositions through dynamic breaking and popping, which broadened their appeal to diverse audiences starting around 2010. By the 2010s, the company responded to global urban dance trends by integrating influences from krump, evident in their organization of dedicated krump battles that emphasized raw, aggressive energy and improvisation within group settings. These adaptations were reflected in large-scale productions featuring synchronized group choreography for ensembles of 10-12 dancers, enhancing visual impact through precise formations that highlighted collective precision over individual flair.^[1]^[18] Further innovations included the strategic use of props and lighting to augment performances, transforming stage environments into interactive spaces that amplified movement and narrative depth, as seen in shows premiering in the mid-2010s. In terms of training, the academy shifted from a primary focus on street battle preparation—rooted in competitive, freestyle confrontations—to a more theatrical approach with the introduction of a three-year professional diploma program in 2021, emphasizing structured choreography, endurance, and stagecraft for aspiring dancers. In 2025, the diploma program received official recognition as equivalent to other vocational dance schools in Germany. This curriculum now serves over 4,000 students weekly across four Berlin locations as of 2025, fostering a hybrid skill set that prepares performers for both battle circuits and professional theater.^[1]^[19]^[20]

Championships and Competitions

Major Wins

Flying Steps achieved their first world championship victory at the Battle of the Year (BOTY) in 1994, marking their international breakthrough, followed by a second win at the BOTY world finals in 2000, held in Hannover, Germany, where they outperformed crews from around the world in front of over 10,000 spectators. These triumphs, building on earlier national successes, established them as a dominant force in breakdancing and propelled their reputation beyond Europe.^[1]^[21] The crew further cemented their legacy with consecutive world titles at the Red Bull Beat Battle in 2005 and 2007, showcasing innovative routines that blended precision, power, and creativity against top international competitors. These wins contributed to their status as quadruple breakdance world champions, highlighting their versatility in B-boying styles.^[2]^[1]

Notable Battles

During the mid-1990s, Flying Steps solidified their presence in European breakdance circuits through intense regional battles that honed their competitive edge and paved the way for international recognition at the Battle of the Year (BOTY). Competing against established European crews such as Germany's Battle Squad, they navigated a landscape of high-stakes qualifiers and showcases, building momentum from their 1994 BOTY victory toward further dominance.^[22]^[1] These encounters emphasized rivalries with international powerhouses, including American crews like Rock Steady, fostering a cross-continental exchange that elevated breaking standards across the continent.^[1] In the 2021 SNIPES Battle of the Year world finals in Montpellier, France, Flying Steps clashed with the U.S.-based Squadron in the top-8 round, delivering a matchup that exemplified evolving crew dynamics in contemporary breaking. The battle pitted the German veterans' precise, theatrical flair against Squadron's raw, athletic power, resulting in Squadron's advancement to the semifinals after a closely contested showcase of contrasting crew identities and adaptability.^[23]^[24] This encounter underscored the shift toward more narrative-driven crew performances, where historical lineages like Flying Steps' blend with newer, diverse ensembles to push creative boundaries.^[25] Central to Flying Steps' battle approach were tactical elements like team synchronization, where dancers aligned rhythmic "up-rocking" and footwork to maintain cohesive formations during rounds, enhancing visual impact and opponent disruption. They adeptly responded to musical cues by adapting power moves and freezes to the beat's tempo and drops, turning the DJ's selections into strategic advantages that amplified their routines' flow. Crowd engagement was another hallmark, with performers incorporating call-and-response gestures and exaggerated expressions to rally spectators, often tipping judges toward higher scores in interactive environments.^[26] Following 2010, Flying Steps extended their competitive footprint into Red Bull BC One cyphers and global qualifiers, with members and all-stars featuring in exhibition battles that bridged crew traditions with individual showcases. A notable 2021 Red Bull BC One Battle-X pitted the Flying Steps All Stars—comprising dancers like Lil Zoo, Minzi, Flo, Junior, and Lil Ceng—against Team France, highlighting their enduring tactical prowess in high-profile international settings.^[27] Participation continued through regional cyphers and qualifiers, reinforcing their role in sustaining breaking's competitive evolution.^[28]

Performances and Productions

Flying Bach

Flying Bach is the signature production of the Flying Steps dance company, premiering in 2010 at Berlin's Neue Nationalgalerie.^[29] The show was conceived as a groundbreaking fusion of breakdance and classical music, specifically Johann Sebastian Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier, under the artistic direction of choreographer Vartan Bassil and opera conductor Christoph Hagel.^[29] This innovative blend reinterprets Bach's intricate fugues through dynamic breakdance elements like power moves, headspins, and freezes, bridging urban street culture with high art traditions.^[29] Sponsored by Red Bull, the production marked Flying Steps' first full-length in-house show, emphasizing theatrical storytelling alongside athletic performance.^[2] In 2011, Flying Bach gained significant prominence through high-profile performances, including at the German Bundestag's former plenary hall, the Eurovision Song Contest interval act in Düsseldorf, and the Federal President's Summer Festival at Bellevue Palace.^[29] These events showcased the production to political and international audiences, highlighting its cultural crossover appeal.^[30] The show embarked on extensive international tours, visiting 35 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond, with performances continuing through 2025 in venues such as Croatia's Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall.^[29]^[14] To date, it has reached over 500,000 spectators worldwide, solidifying its status as a global phenomenon.^[29] The production received critical acclaim shortly after its debut, winning the ECHO Klassik Sonderpreis in 2010 for its pioneering integration of classical music and hip-hop dance.^[12] This prestigious award, Germany's highest honor in classical music, recognized Flying Bach as the first breakdance show to achieve such distinction, praising its innovative visualization of Bach's compositions.^[29] Reception has emphasized the show's ability to make complex Baroque music accessible and energetic, earning praise from outlets like Limelight magazine for its genre-defying energy. Key production elements include choreography tailored for nine dancers, who perform synchronized routines that echo the polyphonic structure of Bach's preludes and fugues.^[29] The stage design, crafted by Michael Rosemann, features minimalist sets that evoke a modern gallery space, allowing fluid movement and projections to enhance the narrative.^[29] Live music integration combines Hagel's piano performances with harpsichord elements and electronic beats by composers Vivan and Ketan Bhatti, creating a layered soundscape that synchronizes with the dancers' precision and improvisation.^[29] This multimedia approach ensures each performance remains a fresh interpretation of the source material.^[31]

Other Notable Shows

In the early 2000s, Flying Steps expanded their live performances beyond competitions, delivering high-energy breakdance routines at major European hip-hop festivals and conducting initial tours that introduced their style to U.S. audiences following their 2000 Battle of the Year victory.^[32] The company's collaboration with Red Bull extended their performance repertoire through innovative variations, including the premiere in 2014 and touring of Flying Illusion, a production blending urban dance with theatrical illusions in a narrative of good versus evil, featuring twelve dancers in gravity-defying sequences.^[33]^[34] As of 2025, Flying Steps continues to engage in diverse collaborations, such as orchestral fusions like Flying Pictures at an Exhibition, which reinterprets Mussorgsky's classical suite through breakdance choreography, and corporate events for brands including BMW and Mercedes, where they create custom urban dance concepts for galas and promotional productions.^[35]^[36]^[4] Their thematic urban dance theater pieces address hip-hop history and social issues, exemplified by Flying Hänsel & Gretel (2023), a contemporary adaptation of the Grimm fairy tale and Humperdinck opera that explores social media dependency through breakdance, hip-hop, and live orchestra under conductor Christoph Hagel, with tours across Germany and Austria in 2024–2025.^[37]^[38]^[39] In 2025, Flying Steps co-premiered Flying Lights on August 28 at Berlin's Wintergarten Varieté, blending urban dance with variety show elements.^[3]

Members and Company

Original Crew Members

Flying Steps was founded in 1993 in Berlin by Kadir "Amigo" Memis and Vartan Bassil, two self-taught dancers who met through the local hip-hop scene and shared a vision for blending breakdancing with theatrical performance. Memis, born in 1974 in a small village in Anatolia, Turkey, immigrated to Berlin with his family in 1984 at age 10, where he discovered breaking as a way to navigate cultural displacement and build community among immigrant youth. As the crew's leader and a B-boying specialist, Memis focused on dynamic footwork and freezes, drawing from his Turkish-German roots to infuse performances with personal storytelling that emphasized resilience and cultural fusion. Bassil, originally from Lebanon and displaced by the civil war in the early 1980s, arrived in Germany as a child and honed his skills in street battles before co-founding the group; renowned as a choreographer and popping expert, he brought precision and narrative structure to routines, helping the duo win their first major title at the 1994 Battle of the Year (BOTY).^[40]^[41]^[1]^[42] The original crew quickly expanded to include four to six core members by the mid-1990s, incorporating diverse dance styles that solidified Flying Steps' reputation for innovative hip-hop theater. Michael Rosemann, known as "Crazy B," joined early as a breakdancer from local crews, contributing dynamic energy and precise timing to group routines that helped secure early championship success, particularly at BOTY 1994. Born in Berlin, Rosemann's background in the local scene added visual flair to the crew's performances. Benny Kimoto, alias "Benny," emerged as a power moves specialist, specializing in explosive spins and flares that elevated the crew's athleticism; of Japanese descent and raised in Berlin's multicultural scene, Kimoto's involvement from the outset brought high-energy dynamics, shaping performances that blended raw street energy with staged precision during initial international tours. Khaled Chaabi, performing as "KC-1," specialized in intricate footwork and headspins, drawing from his Syrian heritage—having been born in Homs and relocating to Germany as an infant—to add fluid, grounded elements that grounded the crew's aerial feats. His role in early battles emphasized endurance and creativity, contributing to the group's undefeated streak in European competitions through the late 1990s.^[8]^[43]^[44] These founding and early members—primarily Memis, Bassil, Rosemann, Kimoto, and Chaabi—fostered a tight-knit dynamic rooted in Berlin's immigrant-driven hip-hop culture, where shared experiences of migration and street battles cultivated a collaborative identity focused on innovation over competition. Their diverse backgrounds, from Turkish, Lebanese, Syrian, and Japanese influences, enabled the crew to pioneer cross-cultural choreography, transforming raw B-boying into accessible theater that appealed beyond dance circles, as evidenced by their 1994 BOTY victory and subsequent global recognition. This core group's emphasis on mutual support and stylistic fusion laid the foundation for Flying Steps' evolution into a professional company, without which later expansions would lack the authentic street ethos.^[1]^[45]^[42]

Current Company Dancers

As of 2025, the professional company of Flying Steps comprises over 30 dancers, with a roster of 38 members selected for their exceptional skills, personality, and extensive experience in urban dance styles such as breaking, popping, and locking.^[46] These dancers form the core of the company's performances, including major productions like Flying Bach and Flying Illusion, and are drawn from diverse international backgrounds to support global tours and collaborations.^[46] Recruitment into the company emphasizes rigorous annual auditions, often integrated with the Flying Steps Diploma program, which serves as a primary pathway for identifying and nurturing talent. For instance, auditions for the 2025/2026 Diploma year were scheduled for April and May, focusing on sequences in various urban dance disciplines to evaluate technical proficiency and creative potential.^[47] This process ensures a steady influx of performers who can adapt to the company's multifaceted demands, blending street dance authenticity with theatrical precision. The dancers are divided into specialized roles, including battle specialists who compete in international events, theater performers who execute choreographed shows, and instructors who contribute to the academy's educational programs. Notable originals such as Niranh Chanthabouasy (known as "Lil Rock"), a veteran breaker who has been with the company since the mid-2000s, continue to play key roles alongside newer international hires like B-Boy Willy from France, who joined in 2015.^[46] This diversity enhances the company's versatility, with members hailing from Europe, Asia, and beyond.^[46] The company has expanded its roster since 2010 to accommodate larger-scale productions, building on earlier additions like Yui Kawaguchi (joined 2005) and including talents such as Anna Holmström to bolster ensemble dynamics and innovative choreography. Original founders such as Vartan Bassil remain actively involved as artistic director, providing continuity amid these evolutions.^[46]

Flying Steps Academy

Establishment and Programs

The Flying Steps Academy was established on June 25, 2007, in Berlin by original crew members Vartan Bassil and Kadir "Amigo" Memis, evolving from the Flying Steps dance company founded in 1993 to become Germany's largest urban dance school.^[1]^[48] The academy offers programs in over 25 urban dance styles, ranging from B-boying and house to popping, afrobeats, jazz funk, whacking, and choreography, with classes structured across levels from beginner to intermediate and advanced for participants of various ages and skill sets.^[49]^[50] Its flagship offering is the three-year full-time Flying Steps Diploma, a professional certification program training aspiring dancers in core styles like breaking, hip hop, popping, and house, culminating in qualifications for teaching, performing, and choreography; the program includes auditions for entry.^[51]^[52] Instruction is provided by a team of 75 professional dancers, including company members such as Amigo, who draw on their competitive and performance expertise to deliver the curriculum.^[4] The program emphasizes weekly classes, intensive workshops, and structured certification paths that prioritize technical proficiency, stylistic depth, and performance skills to foster well-rounded urban dancers.^[53]^[47]

Facilities and Educational Impact

The Flying Steps Academy is located in the heart of Berlin's Kreuzberg district at Lobeckstraße 30-35, operating from a 2,000-square-meter facility that includes multiple dance studios designed for urban dance training.^[1]^[54] This central studio setup supports over 2,500 students across various age groups and skill levels, making it Germany's largest urban dance school.^[1] The facilities are equipped with essential amenities for professional dance practice, including mats, showers, and parking, alongside sound systems and mirrored walls standard in dedicated dance spaces to facilitate technique refinement and group classes.^[54] Performance areas within the academy allow for rehearsals and small-scale events, contributing to a comprehensive training environment. Following expansions initiated after 2010, the academy has grown to include three locations in Germany (two in Berlin and one in Munich) as of 2025, with plans to reach four, all domestic without international branches to date.^[1]^[5]^[55]^[4] Since its establishment, the academy has trained thousands of dancers, fostering the development of professionals who perform with global crews and contribute to the urban dance scene.^[1] Its educational impact extends through community outreach programs, such as workshops and special classes aimed at young dancers, promoting inclusivity across diverse backgrounds and dance styles.^[1] As of 2025, the academy plays a key role in preserving hip-hop and urban dance culture in Europe, serving over 4,000 students weekly.^[1] Strategic partnerships, including long-term collaborations with Red Bull, support youth programs like sponsored battles and initiatives that encourage emerging talent in breaking and related styles.^[4]^[1]

Discography

Albums

Flying Steps' discography includes a series of albums that blend breakbeat, electro, and freestyle elements with their breakdancing performances, often serving as soundtracks for dance routines. Their debut studio album, B-Town, released in 2001 on Dance Street Records in Germany, features 18 tracks of electronic music in styles including electro, breaks, breakbeat, and freestyle, designed to support high-energy dance sequences.^[56] Key tracks like "Breakin' It Down (Radio Version)" and "We Gonna Rock It (Drop-out Short Cut)" exemplify the album's focus on rhythmic, urban beats that underscore the crew's freestyle capabilities.^[57] In 2002, Flying Steps issued Greatest Hits, a compilation album that remixes and collects their early singles, spanning 14 tracks and highlighting the evolution of their sound from the late 1990s.^[58] Released also on Dance Street, it includes extended mixes such as "Breakin' It Down (Extended Mix)" and "We Gonna Rock It (2001 Remix)," providing a retrospective of their breakthrough hits while incorporating fresh production to appeal to dance audiences.^[59] The 2005 release Breakdance Battle, another compilation on JetSet Records, emphasizes battle-themed electro influences across 13 tracks, tying directly into competitive breakdancing motifs with aggressive rhythms and enhanced production. Standout elements include remixed versions of prior hits like "We Gonna Rock It," reinforcing the album's role in energizing live crew battles and performances.^[60] Post-2005, Flying Steps shifted toward collaborative soundtracks for their theatrical productions. The 2012 album Red Bull Flying Bach - The Well-Tempered Clavier, released on Flying Steps Music, reinterprets Johann Sebastian Bach's preludes and fugues with modern fusions of jazz, popping, and house, featuring contributions from Ketan Bhatti, Vivan Bhatti, and Christoph Hagel to accompany their breakdance adaptation of the classical work.^[61] Similarly, Flying Pictures at an Exhibition (2019) on Sony Classical reimagines Modest Mussorgsky's suite through 20 tracks blending classical orchestration with urban beats, performed by the Berlin Music Ensemble alongside DJ Illvibe and Olga Scheps, as the score for their dance theater piece.^[62]

Singles

Flying Steps' singles emerged from the late 1990s, reflecting their roots in breakbeat and electro music designed to energize breakdance routines and live performances. These releases, often issued on labels like Dance Street and in collaborations, supported the group's rising profile as four-time breakdance world champions during a period of international expansion.^[10]

1990s

In 1998, Flying Steps collaborated with Music Instructor on several singles that blended electronic and breakbeat elements. "Super Sonic" (feat. Music Instructor) was a breakout release with trance and electro influences, available in single edit, extended, and remix versions; it sold over 250,000 copies worldwide.^[1]^[63] "Rock Your Body" (feat. Music Instructor) followed, featuring upbeat rhythms for dance sets. "Get Freaky" (with Music Instructor) incorporated freestyle and breakbeat tracks suited for high-energy performances.

2000s

The double A-side single "In Da Arena / We Gonna Rock It," released in 2000, marked an early promotional effort tied to the crew's burgeoning tours, featuring club mixes and remixes suited for high-impact dance sets.^[64] "We Are Electric," also from 2000, delivered pulsating breakbeat rhythms that aligned with the group's competitive edge in championships, including remixes by Bassheadz for extended play.^[65] Building on this momentum, "Breakin' It Down" arrived in 2001 as a high-energy anthem, its extended and radio mixes capturing the raw intensity of breakdance battles and performances.^[66] By the mid-2000s, Flying Steps explored broader electro-pop elements with "Operator" in 2007, a multi-remix single including radio edits and J&J versions that aimed to attract a wider audience beyond urban dance scenes.^[67] "Let it Rain," released in 2009 in collaboration with ZPYZ, further emphasized this electro-pop direction while tying into competitive contexts as part of the International Battle of the Year soundtrack.^[68] In the 2010s and 2020s, standalone singles became less frequent, with music efforts shifting toward integrated projects like Red Bull-backed shows such as Flying Bach, where original scores supported fusion performances rather than isolated tracks.^[32]

Videography and Media

Performance Videos

Flying Steps' performance videos capture the raw energy of their live battles and shows, emphasizing unscripted breaking routines and crew dynamics in competitive and touring contexts. From the 2000s through the 2020s, Flying Steps participated in Red Bull BC One cyphers, with highlight reels featuring individual and crew battles that demonstrate their evolution in one-on-one and group formats. Notable examples include the 2021 Red Bull BC One Battle-X Germany, where the Flying Steps All Stars faced Team France in a high-stakes exhibition, blending technical footwork with creative flair to engage crowds.^[27] Additionally, crew member Lil Zoo's win at the 2022 Red Bull BC One Last Chance Cypher underscores their ongoing involvement, with videos capturing improvisational cyphers that highlight precision and adaptability.^[69] In the 2021 SNIPES BOTY Top 8 round in Montpellier, France, Flying Steps battled Squadron from the USA, employing strategies centered on dynamic transitions and crowd-hyping calls to amplify their routines. The 12-minute clash featured Flying Steps' energetic sets with a standout final move at 9:42, countered by Squadron's explosive responses, culminating in a judges' decision favoring Squadron after intense applause.^[23] This full battle video provides analysis of crew tactics, such as Flying Steps' use of synchronized elements to build momentum against Squadron's power-driven attacks. Tour documentation offers behind-the-scenes glimpses into Flying Steps' international shows, with the Red Bull "Follow the Steps" series (2014–2015) detailing preparations for productions like Flying Bach and Flying Illusion, which toured Europe and America to over 500,000 audiences.^[1] More recent footage from 2024–2025 captures backstage moments during global performances, including the crew's U.S. tour and Berlin residencies, revealing choreography development and travel rigors up to their October 2025 Wintergarten show.^[70]^[71]^[72]

Music Videos

Flying Steps produced promotional music videos to accompany their early music releases, emphasizing their breakdance roots through dynamic choreography and urban aesthetics. The 2001 single "Breakin' It Down," from their album B-Town, features a music video with choreographed dance sequences set in gritty urban environments, highlighting the crew's popping, locking, and breaking moves against industrial backdrops.^[73]^[74] Similarly, the video for "We Gonna Rock It" (2001), also from B-Town, captures high-energy popping and locking visuals, with the dancers performing synchronized routines that blend freestyle elements and robotic precision to match the track's electro-freestyle beat.^[75]^[76] In 2009, ZPYZ's "Let It Rain," featuring Flying Steps, marked a shift toward fusion styles in its music video, incorporating contemporary dance elements alongside breaking to evoke the fluid, narrative-driven performances reminiscent of the crew's early theater shows; directed by Jeremias Böttcher and produced by Red Bull Media House, it showcases dancers in stylized, rain-themed sequences.^[77]^[78] During the 2010s, Flying Steps released shorter promotional clips tied to Red Bull collaborations, often featuring dancers from their academy in high-production visuals that integrated breaking with modern music tracks, such as excerpts from Flying Bach adaptations blending classical influences with hip-hop beats.^[79]^[80]

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Flying Step vs Squadron | Top 8 | SNIPES Battle Of The Year 2021
Nov 25, 2021 · We're back with the 31th edition of Battle of The Year! Eight selected crews from all over the world came together in Montpellier, France.Missing: VR digital
[20]
SNIPES BATTLE OF THE YEAR INTERNATIONAL 2021 - YouTube
Nov 21, 2021 · ... Battle 1 : Jinjo Crew (KOR) vs Last Alive (ITA) 0:23:10 - Battle 2 : Flying Steps (GER) vs Squadron (USA) 0:37:06 - Battle 3 : Tie Break (FRA) ...
[21]
SNIPES Battle of the Year International 2021 | 5,6,7 and8 - dance
Nov 21, 2024 · Flying Steps | Show | SNIPES Battle Of The Year 2021 We're back with the 31th edition of Battle of The Year! Eight selected crews from all over ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[22]
Strategies and tactics applied in breakdance battles - Red Bull
Oct 3, 2023 · A one-on-one breaking battle involves two breakers taking turns throwing down, trying to out-do each other with their skills, moves, character, style and ...Missing: crew synchronization engagement
[23]
Flying Steps All Stars vs. Team France | Red Bull BC One Battle-X ...
Jun 9, 2021 · ... Flying Steps All Stars: Lil Zoo, Minzi, Flo, Junior & Lil Ceng Team France: Sofian, Pac Pac, Dany, Lagaet & Sarah Bee Red Bull BC One Battle ...Missing: participation | Show results with:participation
[24]
Punisher / Flying Steps Entertainment
But he can also look back at his participation in the Battle Of The Year in France and the Red Bull BC One. When he does not tour with Red Bull Flying Bach ...
[25]
Flying Bach / Flying Steps Entertainment
Founded by Vartan Bassil in Berlin in 1993, the Flying Steps were soon able to call themselves quadruple world champions. ... the rest is history. Nach oben.Missing: 1990s | Show results with:1990s
[26]
Eurovision interval acts revealed
May 9, 2011 · Jan Delay and band Disko No. 1, the Cold Steel Drummers and the Flying Steps are the interval acts at the three Eurovision Song Contest 2011 shows in Dü ...
[27]
Flying Bach - Conductor, Director, Producer - Christoph Hagel
The Flying Steps dance to Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier Musical Direction and Piano: Christoph Hagel Choreography: Vartan Bassil; "Break Dance enters into the ...
[28]
Follow the Steps: Flying Steps breaking documentary - Red Bull
One of the most successful breaking crews of all time, Flying Steps are four-time world breaking champions. They've broken the mould – now they're out to ...
[29]
What the hell is… Red Bull Flying Illusion
Flying Steps premiere their new illusion-infused breakdance project in Berlin. ... So, Red Bull Flying Illusion… what's the big idea? Some call it a culture clash ...Missing: collaboration | Show results with:collaboration
[30]
Flying Illusion / Flying Steps Entertainment
Flying Illusion is the latest show of the internationally successful breakdance company Flying Steps Entertainment from Berlin. Twelve of the world's finest ...
[31]
Flying Pictures at an Exhibition | Vivan Bhatti - Wise Music Classical
Originally created for a collaboration with the dance group FLYING STEPS, Vivan and Ketan Bhatti took Mussorgsky's “Pictures at an Exhibition” as a starting ...
[32]
Booking / Flying Steps Entertainment
Accompanied by the classical music of Johann Sebastian Bach breakdance meets ballet, youth culture meets high culture · Winner of an ECHO Klassik special award ...
[33]
Flying Steps - Revolutionary Urban Dance Culture with Global Impact
Feb 27, 2025 · The Flying Steps Diploma is a three-year full-time program specializing in Hip-Hop, Breaking, Popping, and House. It is designed for ambitious ...
[34]
Flying Hänsel & Gretel
Die Flying Steps transformieren „Hänsel und Gretel" ins Hier und Jetzt und konfrontieren uns mit einem hochaktuellen Thema: der Abhängigkeit von Social ...
[35]
Flying Steps: Flying Hänsel & Gretel - Admiralspalast, Berlin
Inspiriert von den Gebrüdern Grimm und Humperdincks gleichnamiger Oper, übersetzen die Flying Steps und Christoph Hagel die Geschichte mit Elementen aus ...
[36]
Flying Hänsel und Gretel - Dance for You Magazine
Jun 7, 2024 · Headspins im Knusperhäuschen. „Flying Hänsel und Gretel“, die neue Show der Flying Steps aus Berlin. von Angela Reinhardt. Mit „Flying Bach“ ...<|separator|>
[37]
Kadir “Amigo” Memiş - kulturakademie-tarabya.de
Kadir “Amigo” Memiş, dancer, choreographer, and founder of the internationally acclaimed hip-hop group Flying Steps, grew up in Anatolia. In 1984 his parents ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[38]
Kadir Amigo Memis - Urban Nation
Jul 15, 2020 · In 1993, he founded the B-Boy Crew 'Flying Steps' with his friend Vartan Bassil and in 1994 and 2000, the Flying Steps won the world ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
[39]
Vartan Bassil, Breakdancer – DW – 10/09/2012
Oct 9, 2012 · When Lebanon-born Vartan Bassil and his break dance team, Flying Steps ... Bassil was self-taught when he co-founded Flying Steps in 1993.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[40]
Follow the Steps S1 E2: BTS – meet Benny Kimoto - video - Red Bull
Flying Steps member Benny Kimoto shares his story of coming of age in the breaking scene and the path that led him to become a professional B-Boy.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[41]
International Competitions Show Resurgence of Breakdancing
Dec 3, 2013 · Khaled Chaabi's stage name is KC1. He is originally from Syria. Shortly after he was born, his parents moved from the Syrian city of Homs to ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[42]
(PDF) “ Dance Saved My Life ”: Kadir Memiş's Life Story and the (Re ...
Mar 4, 2020 · A Turkish artist living in Germany, Kadir “Amigo” Memiş is known for choreographies that combine street dance or breaking with traditional ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[43]
Dancers / Flying Steps Entertainment
Flying Steps Allstars – Selected for their skills. The Flying Steps are more than 30 of the world's best dancers that have been chosen for their personality ...Missing: krump voguing
[44]
Apply | Flying Steps Diploma
The audition. The dates: April 27, 2025, application deadline: April 16, 2025. May 25, 2025, application deadline: May 14, 2025. The process: Sequences in ...
[45]
Breakdance meets Bach: The Flying Steps perform at the Lincoln ...
Oct 9, 2018 · The Flying Steps crew was formed by Vartan Bassil and Kadir „Amigo” Memis in Berlin, Germany. Currently the group consists of nine members. In ...Missing: 1990s | Show results with:1990s<|control11|><|separator|>
[46]
Flying Steps Academy on Instagram: " SIGN IN AND DANCE WITH ...
Apr 21, 2023 · Flying Steps Academy, the biggest urban dance school in Germany right in the middle of Quartzburg, Berlin with over 50 dance coaches.Missing: programs instructors
[47]
What do the dance levels mean? - Flying Steps Academy
Jul 20, 2019 · Beginner/ Intermediate: You have mastered the basics and want to expand them a bit. This can be choreographically or stylistically.Missing: programs styles diploma
[48]
Diploma eng
The Flying Steps Diploma is a three-year full-time dance education program in Berlin for aspiring dance teachers, stage performers, and choreographers. The ...<|separator|>
[49]
Flying Steps Diploma - Facebook
Inside the Flying Steps Diploma Audition 2025 🔥 Over 80 applications. Only 50 dancers were invited to the audition. In the end, 25 will be accepted into the ...
[50]
Coaches - Flying Steps Academy
Flying Steps Academy coaches include Natalie (Choreography), Tanja (Ballett/Contemporary), Nam (HipHop/RnB), Mikel (Breaking), and Alisha (Contemporary).
[51]
Flying Steps Academy - ClassPass
Rating 4.8 (72) Aug 14, 2023 · Amenities. Showers. Mats. Parking. How to get there. Flying Steps Academy is located at Lobeckstraße 30-35, 10969 Berlin, Germany. Similar ...Missing: facilities educational impact outreach partnerships
[52]
https://www.facebook.com/p/Flying-Steps-Diploma-61559293164963/
[53]
https://flying-steps.academy/en/pages/coaches
[54]
https://classpass.com/studios/flying-steps-academy-berlin
[55]
Greatest Hits — Flying Steps | Last.fm
Listen free to Flying Steps – Greatest Hits (Breakin' It Down (Extended Mix), WE GONNA ROCK IT (2001 Remix) and more). 14 tracks (52:47).
[56]
Breakdance Battle - Flying Steps | Album | AllMusic
Breakdance Battle by Flying Steps released in 2005. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.
[57]
Johann Sebastian Bach, Flying Steps, Ketan Bhatti, Vivan Bhatti, Christoph Hagel, Sabina Chukurova - Red Bull Flying Bach - The Well-Tempered Clavier
- **Release Year**: 2012
[58]
Vivan & Ketan Bhatti & Modest Mussorgsky - Flying Pictures At An Exhibition
### Summary of Flying Pictures at an Exhibition Album
[59]
The Flying Steps - Mastercard priceless
The "Flying Steps", four-time Breakdance World Champions and Echo Winners, are now an institution in Berlin. For 10 years they have been promoting young talent.<|control11|><|separator|>
[60]
https://www.allmusic.com/album/breakdance-battle-mw0000347817
[61]
https://www.discogs.com/master/1677309-Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Flying-Steps-Ketan-Bhatti-Vivan-Bhatti-Christoph-Hagel-Sabina-Chukurova-Red-Bu
[62]
https://www.discogs.com/master/1577006-Vivan-Ketan-Bhatti-Modest-Mussorgsky-Flying-Pictures-At-An-Exhibition
[63]
https://www.discogs.com/master/96080-Music-Instructor-Feat-Flying-Steps-Super-Sonic
[64]
https://www.discogs.com/release/417579-Flying-Steps-In-Da-Arena-Situation-We-Gonna-Rock-It
[65]
STAY TUNED IN THE MAIN GLOBAL BREAKDANCE EVENTS
Dancers from around the world participated, but the evening's winner was Berlin's Flying Steps. In 2001, Thomas Hergenröther met with Storm and Mode 2 in ...Missing: achievements - | Show results with:achievements -
[66]
Battle of the Year（BOTY） 1990~2003までの貴重な映像
Jun 28, 2017 · 1990年から毎年続いている、ブレイクダンスの世界大会「Battle of the Year（BOTY）」の過去の貴重な動画をまとめてみました。日本予選の映像は ...<|separator|>
[67]
These are the Red Bull BC One Last Chance Cypher finalists of 2022
Nov 11, 2022 · Lil Zoo represents El Mouwahidin, Flying Steps & Red Bull BC One All Stars. “I am happy to win the Last Chance Cypher because for me it means a ...
[68]
BTS dance tour outtakes - Follow the Steps S1 E4 - Red Bull
The Flying Steps' whirlwind tour of Europe and America was full of high stress and long days, but this crew knows how to work hard and play hard – see the ...
[69]
Follow the Steps S1 E3: BTS - creating Flying Illusion - Red Bull
Follow the Steps S1 E3: BTS · Dance. Creating Flying Illusion · Dance. Red Bull Dance Your Style - Team USA vs Team Africa · Breaking. The Infinity Cube · Dance ...Missing: 2016 campaign extensions variations
[70]
Flying Steps Berlin Tickets, Wintergarten Oct 22, 2025 | Bandsintown
Flying Steps is coming to Wintergarten in Berlin on Oct 22, 2025. Find tickets and get exclusive concert information, all at Bandsintown.Missing: documentation behind
[71]
https://www.redbull.com/us-en/videos/creating-flying-illusion-follow-the-steps-s1-e3-bts
[72]
FLYING STEPS - Breakin' It Down 2001 - YouTube
Sep 14, 2022 · The Flying Steps gained a lot of entertainment, theater and media experience during their career. They founded their own music label and ...Missing: tactics synchronization responses crowd
[73]
https://www.discogs.com/release/1970242-Flying-Steps-Breakin-It-Down
[74]
Flying steps - We Gonna Rock It (Millenium Radio Mix) - YouTube
Feb 8, 2009 · I used to break. Still love the music.
[75]
ZPYZ featuring Flying Steps - Let It Rain, Music Video, Music, 2008 ...
ZPYZ featuring Flying Steps - Let It Rain. Music Video | 2008 | Music | Austria, Germany. Main data. Main data. Director, Jeremias Böttcher. Production, Red ...
[76]
ZPYZ feat. Flying Steps - Let It Rain - YouTube
Jul 15, 2010 · Bboys and Bgirls enjoy the beat. More beats coming along so please subscribe if you like my videos. I heard this tune from Red Bull BC One ...
[77]
Footwork and Fugues: Flying Steps - Red Bull
A fusion of Bach and breaking is born when dance group Flying Steps collaborate with opera director Christoph Hagel.
[78]
Red Bull Flying Bach 2011 - Breakdance meets Classical Music
Sep 2, 2011 · ... Flying Steps and opera director Christoph Hagel prove quite the opposite. After the highly acclaimed world premiere at Berlin's Neue ...<|control11|><|separator|>