This topic I’ve been meaning to write about for a while, especially
after several discussions about "who is in" & "who is not".
I remember there was a post about this a few years ago on the
old d2mg forums. I know different people will have a
different perspective on this... I'm just sharing mine.

Crew Vs. Group

Everyone likes to socialise (except for those who are anti social). Dancers
form groups or crews for many reasons
- To enter a competition of some sort
- You and your group of friends are doing a performance
- To rival your arch rival's crew
- You are the left over people that haven't been recruited so you form your
own group or crew
- For the sake of it because everyone else is doing it
- You want to be like Jabbawokkies
etc etc

I really enjoy the co-op factor of being in a crew or group – it really makes you feel you are
a part of something... except when doing group work at school and everyone relies
on you to get all the work done, because they are super lazy!


"I want to join your crew!"

So there is no confusion, these are just my definitions.

A GROUP;
is a bunch of people together for a particular purpose, for a routine,
showcase etc. A group can eventually become a crew when the friendship grows
(just look at the bboy crew RAW). A group comes and goes just like that, they
are very short term. They usually only see each other when they are dancing
or training for something.

It's like when you were at school when the teacher puts you into groups for
some group work and you get grouped in with people you don't really talk to
(you still know their name though). You guys get the task done and that's it....
you go back to hanging with your normal friends.

Acquaintances maybe?

A CREW;
is pretty much the same thing, but with the extra ingredient
'friendship' in the mix. A crew can become a group when the
friendship of the crew breaks down (for what ever reasons... over a girl maybe?)

When you see a crew dance in a comp (in a freestyle battle) you can see
their good friendship just by looking at how well they work together
(eg Sydney Bboy crew's SKB and Juse).

I remember when Hybrid Formz were at their peak in 2007, the friendship
between each crew member was very strong as well.... lol Grass Cutters!


My only requirements before I acknowledge someone as my 'crewmate';
1. The person must be down/friends with EVERYONE (and NOT just one person)
So in theory as a crew gets bigger it will be harder for someone to join the crew. That's it!

I know some crews who will discuss and or vote to have a new member.


"Once I'm in, I'm in!"

I don't believe so. To me you have to maintain your spot in the crew I.e.

- You have to train and rep with the crew.
What's the point of joining a crew or group if you are not participating?
How many people out there join gyms and then don't go? It defeats the purpose.
I'm pretty sure this is the same for a dance group.

- Maintaining the friendship.
This is pretty obvious, if people don't maintain their friendships, people
will start to drift away and if that happens to most of the crew, it's gg.

Certainly in Hybrid Formz there are ex members that drifted apart and are
no longer a Hybrid Formz member any more.

Just like when you were in primary school, when everyone went to high school
everyone drifted apart and started hanging with their new high school friends.


"I'm in many crews!"

Yeah that's fine if you're in a group or if you are able to maintain the friendship
among your many crews.

The pickle is, especially if you're in a crew for one specific style... let's say popping
What's going to happen if there was a battle (a heated battle) among
your two crews? Which side are you going to battle for? Are you going
to sit this battle out? Are you going to reply to your own set?

I personally don't want to get in a situation where this is the case, because I hate
sitting out from a battle! But in Sydney I don't think this scenario will happen,
everyone is too friendly...

Till next time.... keep dancing and socialising!
Danis Kool