#ill-abilities

ILL-Abilities at the Olympics

ILL-Abilities Crew is an International breakdance crew comprised of dancers that have overcome extraordinary challenges to become some of the best dancers in the world. Together they promote the message NO EXCUSES, NO LIMITS.

THE B-BOY Q&A: REDO

Watching Redo float through the air at the Holland Cypher was a life-changing experience. He shuffled through the dining hall before the Cypher, though it was impossible to miss his warm energy and the big smile on his face. Redouan Ait Chitt, aka B-Boy Redo, was born with physical irregularities, leaving him moving through this lifetime with a few less than ten fingers, a shorter arm and prosthetic leg. Whereas we would usually refer to Redo as disabled, he has a different way of looking at his life. He calls himself differently abled, or more specifically, ILL-Abled.

Teamed together with Lazylegz, Tommy Guns, Kujo and Checho, Redo is part of the international super crew named ILL-Abilities. Taking the “dis” out of their physical conditions-- and replacing it with street illness in spades-- they inspire and awe with not only their ability to overcome obstacles, but also by how well they dance. We caught up with Redo to discuss his experiences with both Holland Cyphers, as well as how he lives his life according to his mantra: “no excuses, no limits.”

Watching you walk around pre-Cypher, it was hard to believe that was the same man who strut up stage with such confidence and continued on to display such amazing skills. When and how did you start dancing? Redo: Thank you! I started nine years ago, when I was 14. When I moved from primary to high school, I saw some kids practicing and I was just blown away. I took some classes at a community center, but it eventually closed down so I continued practicing with my childhood best friend, B-Boy Nazgul. I haven’t stopped since.

Were your parents worried when you came home one day, saying you wanted to break? Yeah, they were. But they were always worried when I wanted to start something new, and they always got used to it pretty quickly. I played many other sports growing up, like soccer and various styles of martial arts, so this was just another new thing I came home with. I’ve always been pretty lucky that nobody has really judged me or treated me differently because of my body. It was never too difficult to get started.

Do you still play other sports today? No, not really. I finished my studies through university, so there just wasn’t enough time! I have a degree in media and entertainment management. I now freelance with 45-Live and IBE, so I’m pretty busy with work and the dance.

I understand that you are a motivational speaker as well? Tell us a little bit about your experiences with that. It’s pretty great. I speak at schools, events and sometimes companies. I share my mantra and teach people how you are only limited by your mind. Anybody can achieve anything they want to with the right spirit and focus. I do 30-minute speeches and dance, often telling jokes too. They’re a lot of fun. It’s rewarding too.

How did you get started with ILL-Abilities? ILL-Abilities started in 2007, and I joined the crew in 2010. Lazylegz came up with the idea to have a super crew of differently abled dancers. He got in touch with Tommy Guns, a member of the Renegades crew, who had lost his leg to cancer when he was 18. Kujo also became a founding member. He has very limited hearing in just one ear, and dances by feeling the vibrations of the music through the floor. Then there’s Checho, from Chile, who has a malformation in his legs, leaving his feet up to knee level.  Our aim is to always do battles and travel, like any other crew, and to continue dancing and improving.

We also do performances. It’s amazing though, how people are changed by watching us dance. We often get standing ovations, and people come up to us afterwards, often crying, telling us how moved and inspired they are by us.

How were your experiences with Holland Cypher? Well this is the second one they’ve had, and I was invited to the first one too. Last year, I lost in the second round to Xisco, who went on to win the Cypher that year. This time, I lost in the second round to Kido. It was a lot of fun though, and always a great experience.

Any shout outs or last words? Shouts out to my crews, Funky Dope Maneuvers and ILL-Abilities, to my friends, family and the 45-Live office! As for last words: “No Excuses, No Limits!”

No Limits Festival Oficial Trailer!