Growing up in an environment with rules and being sheltered, Kid Jungle was a youth who had trouble expressing his feelings. There was no where to vent, nothing to do to let out his feelings except through video games and his drawings. It wasn't until the age of fifteen when he saw "Beat Street" on television that made something inside of him awaken. After renting "Breakin" and "the Mighty Poppalots" video he pursued to learn the art of b-boying. Within a couple of hours of practicing in the basement with no shoes, socks, or music he taught himself the six step and the basic toprock. It was downhill from there. The first influences that made his style of dance today come from the B-boy Summit 2 video, with legends such as Easy Roc with his powerful flow, Flo master with his many footwork techs, and Ken Swift with his flavor. Rocksteady Crew 1990s
Kid Jungle danced from anything to everything such as 80s electro funk, 90's hip hop, techno, breakbeats, and what eventually lead to his name, Drum and bass or Jungle music. It was all about what moved his soul and made his adrenaline flow. By 17 and through 19 he went to raves and danced for hours nonstop. Most of his electronic influences come from that era with DJs such as Hyperactive, Frankie Bones, Stymie, Danny the WildChild, 3D, Snuggles, Dara, the list goes on. At the age of 19 Kid Jungle was introduced to the Chicago hip hop scene and the competition side of b-boying. Going to events such as Skill Matrix, Scribble Jam, and Outskirts Kid Jungle raised his level of dancing to new heights.
Performing since the age of sixteen, Kid Jungle has done shows at local schools with pep rallies and halftime shows. His greatest achievements at that time were the Waterfront and recitals at the Coronado theatre. Now he has pushed it to the next level doing shows at Loolapalooza 05' in Chicago, Depaul University, House of Blues, Congress theatre.
Throughout these experiences Kid Jungle has gained enough confidence to teach classes. Working with studios in Rockford like Debbi Nanni's Progressive Movement Academy and a youth center, Theresa Philip's Youth Against Violence Organization, Kid Jungle taught students fundamentals such as toprocking, uprocking, six-step, and more. Now he's training a few individuals under his wing.
With the evolution of b-boying his dancing will never stop for he is always a student. B-boying has kept him focused on expressing his soul and surviving the neverending struggle of life. Soul Expression. This has helped him push himself to the limits. The same principles he uses towards dancing has helped him throughout his daily life with jobs, being a father of two daughters, djing, and being a chef.
On the last note, after surviving two major car accidents and having two daughters, Kid Jungle feels he was put on this Earth to make some noise and a difference on people's lives using his art. Peace and blessings.
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