YOUTUBE: 2009 World Hip Hop Dance Championships (Series)

As an avid "So You Think You Can Dance" fan, I am enamored each and every time a contestant is selected to do a "hip-hop" routine. I, shamefully, have to admit though, that I don't always 'get it.' I mean, half the time, to me, it looks like The Matrix with extra pop 'n' locking and weird facial expressions going on.

Whatever the case, this series of videos of the finalists and winner of the 2009 World Hip Hop Championships is entertaining. The 4th place Philippine All-Stars (from the Philippines, no doubt) were actually my favorite but only because of the Michael Jackson sequence and their general ability to sacrifice their bodies by flying haphazardly through the air a lot. Singapore's own razor sharp Joyce and the Boys earned a 3rd place finish and Neutral Zone, from Mexico, was the first runner-up.

France's R.A.F. Crew took first place though I couldn't tell you why. But then again, I don't understand what is technically "hip-hop" about any of this. I've never seen LL Cool J or Mary J. Blige bust these moves on BET any time recently...

Buzzy