The Real Future – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Son Lam Nguyen happened to be in town just as I was launching this podcast, and I was lucky enough to be able to book him as my first guest!

• 0:00 - 2:00 Introduction
• 2:01-49:14 Conversation
• 49:15 Drum/Dance Improvisation 

Son Lam came to Los Angeles in 2017 on the heels of winning So You Think You Can Dance Vietnam. His talent, commitment, and open personality have earned him a lot of love and respect in the L.A. street dance community, and that reputation has gone global.

He won the 2024 Red Bull Dance Your Style U.S. Championship in Atlanta, which sent him to the World Final in Mumbai. To finish off the year, his all-Vietnamese team with MT Pop and Rufu won the Flava Of The Year 3 on 3 title.

Back home in Ho Chi Minh City, he co-founded Movement Art Research, a Yoga and Dance Studio.

CREDITS:

Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, and Photography by John Nyboer.

Photographs of SonLam Nguyen in Ho Chi Minh City by Phu Thanh Tran.

My guest today is Malik Bannister aka Gvmby. Gumby is a professional dancer, fluent in multiple styles with a natural gift for showmanship. He’s also a creative director for film, and a a dance educator, including a role as a teaching artist with Heidi Duckler dance. Malik brought a lot of energy to the studio–and an extra set of bunny ears–for our conversation that touched on everything from his origin story to the strange place that is Los Angeles.

CONTENTS

• 0:00 - 14:54 : Conversation
• 14:55 - End : Drum/Dance

CREDITS

Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer

LINKS

• GvmbyTv
• Kodachrome
• Knox
• Norman Cunningham aka Brnx
• Friidom's TEDx Talk
• Something New Dance Video
• W.E.B. DuBois - Souls Of Black Folk
• Redlining History
• Bruce’s Beach
  

My guest today is Jaylin Sanders. Jaylin moved to LA from Nashville in 2021 to both attend college and pursue his dance career. He had been working as a professional dancer since the age of 15, has a level-headed approach to the entertainment industry that belies his years. He’s worked with Dolly Parton, Wayne Brady, and got a lot of exposure in the 18th season of So You Think You Can Dance when he made it to the top 6. Jaylin is a self-described extrovert and I really enjoyed getting to know the real person behind the exuberant personality. I think you will too, so let’s get into The Real Future with Jaylin Sanders.

CREDITS:

Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer

LINKS:

Weezy The Phoenix

Tee Kustin

The Artist Project

Dolly Parton

Jungle

Shay Latukolan

Everything Raw

My guest today is Saleh Simpson aka Robozilla. Since moving to L.A. in the middle of pandemic lockdowns, he’s been winning battles all over California and his reputation has really started to grow, as evidenced by his travels to Paris and Singapore. Choreographers are catching on as well, leading to recent work with Snoop Dog and Bad Bunny.

We had a wide-ranging conversation including a story about Twitch, the meaning of “animation” in dance, and how growing up in a tough environment shaped his character. We’ve collaborated on several visuals over the years and I’ve cut some of that footage into the video version of this podcast, including a really unique one at the end. 

CREDITS

• Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer
  
• Special thanks to Raquan "Chef" Jackson for garage training session and continued support.

LINKS

• Teddy Forance at CLI Studios
• Quan Tran
• Megaman
• Bopppin Andre Tutorial
• Animated J YouTube Channel

• Bad Bunny iHeart radio Awards 2025
  

My guest today is Shantel Ureña. Shantel is one of the first dancers I photographed and has experienced incredible growth during her 10 years in Los Angeles. As a dance artist, she’s choreographed her own stage pieces, created films, taught classes, and competed in the battle scene, all while expanding the range and foundation of her expre    ssive movement.

We talked about her upbringing in Tampa - Shantel is yet another Florida dancer who brought her dopeness to the Left Coast - about her growing career, and about building a more inclusive scene for younger generations. At the end she made it inclusive for older generations as well by teaching me how to dance merengue. I really enjoyed our conversation and I think you will too, so let’s get into The Real Future with Shantel Ureña.

CREDITS

Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer

LINKS

• Las Chicas del Can, “Ta Pillao” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r454DD4EttY
• Vyb Studio https://www.vybdance.com
• Yoe https://www.youtube.com/user/LiitleDancer1234
• Frantick unimate https://youtu.be/qXjSfLWMj1w
• She/THE Council https://www.youtube.com/@TheSHEstreet
• What Happened Miss Simone? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7jIOawq8y8
• Toyin https://www.youtube.com/user/toyindance
• Boujee Block https://www.youtube.com/@boujeeblocktv/videos
• Generational wealth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7r-27CaVbw
• Rated F https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL7rXUMKLsQ
• C Aguilera y Ozuna https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTqL6pHnAlY
  

My guest today is Hans Pierre. I met Hans at one of the legendary Battle Games, introducing myself after I saw him perform a headspin in exuberant fashion. After I met him, it confirmed my instincts that his infectious energy is   very much for real. Hans is not only a dancer, but an educator, the producer of Thesis Dance Festival, and in recent times has been the hardest working DJ in street dance. He’s also a major sneaker enthusiast, but that subject is gonna have to wait until next time. You’re about to meet a really special type of person, so let’s get into The Real Future with Hans Pierre.

CREDITS

Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer

REFERENCE LINKS

Jetlife Apparel

Isiah Beasley Solo

Jammin Da Beat 2010

Flooridians Channel

Crew Love Video

Thesis Dance Fest Channel

My guest today is Madaline Riley. Like most people in the street dance community, I first knew her as Mad Linez, the angular mover who constantly challenged herself to integrate new foundations into her ever-evolving style.

Over time I learned that Madaline is a multi-disciplinary artist who works in both visual arts and performance production. She creates and collaborates on works that blend choreography, acting, fashion, and painting. I’ve had the privilege of seeing a wide range of her output;  it’s always compelling and never boring.  Her pieces may be challenging and rooted in multiple traditions, but behind all of this is someone who just wants everyone to f*¢k!ng dance!

We talked about her origins as a non-conformist, about  the evolving roles of women in street dance, and about where she’s headed as an artist. I’m pretty sure that  this won’t be the last time you hear from her, but for now, let’s get into The Real Future with Madaline Riley.

Reference Links

• Ghost
• Ryat
• The Corner Session
• Dread/Ultra
• Zheani
• 
  Emma Portner
• Am I Falling or Flying
• If I Was Your Body

My guest today is Keumsae Pae, one of the world’s best robot dancers. The robot style is not simply about imitating mechanical movement; rather, it embodies a philosophy of a robot trying to become human. This implies an emotional struggle, and Keumsae, with her subtle, detailed, movement,  creates narrative arcs that bring this struggle to the surface. She is, quite honestly, the rare dancer who can bring tears to my eyes.

She is also an essential member of the L.A. street dance community . When all of us were struggling during the pandemic lockdowns, Keumsae organized the legendary  Bridge Sessions. While everything else was closed, this pedestrian bridge on 3rd and Figueroa Streets became a vital gathering spot 2 nights a week, from 9pm until verrryyyy early the next morning. It started small but as things opened up, it became a required destination for anyone who was in town. Boppin Andre and Tabo started to come out, and it evolved into a place to learn from legends. 

We had a great conversation and concluded the with a drum and dance exchange. Let’s get in to The Real Future with Keumsae Pae.

My guest today is Darrel “Friidom” Dunn. Friidom is a dancer, and we’ll discuss how he got started in the Dallas-area krump scene. 

Friidom is a choreographer, and he’s in his first year as a MFA candidate at The California Institute of the Arts.

Friidom is a philosopher, and he’s innovated a movement philosophy he calls Epiic.

Friidom is a producer - he has produced countless improvisational narrative works that take dancers and audiences to new places in the context of live performances.

But what makes Friidom really special is his ability to bring people together. Artists join his productions because he puts them in roles that  maximize their abilities. And for audiences, his unique approach to staging creates connections that build community.

I’ve had the privilege to photograph many of these productions and whether they’re in a theatre or a parking lot, on a rooftop  or in a barbershop, they obliterate the 4th wall in a way that is more connective than it is confrontational. So let’s keep the connection going and get into The Real Future with Friidom.

Credits:

Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music. Photography: John Nyboer

My guest today is Dustin Payne, aka DPayne.

You might know him from SYTYCD15 where he made the Top 20, or from music videos with DaBaby, Kid Cudi, or Kurtis Blow.

If you participate in the LA dance scene you DEFinitely know D Payne, and near the end of 2024 you might have seen him win the hip hop category of Versa-Style’s 18th LTMMY battle.

CREDITS:

Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, and ⁠Photography by John Nyboer⁠.