Lloyd Thompson (Bboy Tranquil), recently celebrated 25 years of breakin at Bradford’s premier breakin event Tech Styles 10. On Friday 14th November, the Bradford breakin scene and Clean North Crew awarded Tranquil with a custom plaque, graffiti mural piece and a documentary style video as a tribute towards his dedication in hip-hop and breakin. Soon after, he received a British Empire Medal (BEM) and has been named in the King’s New Year Honours List for 2026 for his services to Young People and to the community in Bradford through Hip Hop and Dance. Read below about his journey through breakin and how he came to receive this incredible award!
Tranquil first began breakin in Bradford in the year 2000 with his lifelong brother and crew member Mark Yeadon (Bboy Stylez). After first being introduced to the artform at a youth sports camp, the pair never looked back and have now become legendary Bboys in the UK scene, paving the way for many generations to come. Lloyd has travelled all over the world with his dance, competing and performing in every continent, connecting with many incredible dancers and learning first-hand from the pioneers and legends of this culture. He has many major wins under his belt, including a European title. Not only this, he also battled as a part of Flava Squad for over 5 years, one of the world’s most respected and looked up to crews of the 2010s.
Early in his breaking career, Tranquil began Clean North Crew, who have been actively representing, battling and performing worldwide for 24 years now. He has led this collective remarkably, continuing to bring younger generations up and teaching them important lessons and the true lifestyle of Hip Hop.
Maintaining and leading a crew is an incredibly hard task that Tranquil has braved for many years and even now, we see Clean North continue to rise as a global name in breakin. In the past two years, the crew have travelled to over 10 countries, received invites to the highest level competitions and secured wins in various places including the Paradise Battle in Mexico. Lloyd himself has also been invited to judge twice in Texas, USA at the prestigious Bgirl City and at multiple events in the UK.
Being called to lead is a big task. One that Lloyd has carried with grace and humility for as long as I have known him. His leadership focuses on bringing out the best in each person in breakin and outside of it. Now, 24 years into the crew, our longevity isn’t rooted in one person’s ideas but grounded in faith.
Creating opportunities and teaching the younger generations has always been a priority for Lloyd as he also founded ‘Tranquil Productions’ in 2005 at the young age of eighteen. This organisation provides classes, workshops and shows throughout Bradford and beyond, teaching and performing breakin in schools, youth centres, activity camps, theatres and more. Tranquil has taught thousands of students since beginning this and impacted so many people’s lives. Many quote that he is not just a teacher of breakin, but a teacher of life, a friend and an inspiration to all. Breakin has typically been a heavily male dominated sport in past years, but Bradford has now become known as the home of the largest amount of Bgirls in one city in the world! This is no coincidence at all thanks to Tranquil and also Bgirl Fox (Tranquils wife). They have both been teaching and mentoring the Bgirls of Bradford for years now, which has given them confidence, support, faith and fire to help in all aspects of life. There are now seven dedicated, active crews in the Bradford scene consisting of Bboy’s and Bgirl’s from the age of 4 all the way to 58. This is thanks to Lloyd dedicating his life’s work to ensure the city has a strong community and positive space for people of every age and background.
In 2013, Lloyd established Tech Styles International and has been working as the CEO since then. His aim is to make Bradford the best place for breakin in the world. The city recently hosted the tenth edition of the annual event, which was a sold out success and will go down in Bradford’s history. This organisation and event has supported and provided thousands of local, national and upcoming artists with amazing opportunities year after year. As well as bringing international artists to Bradford to share their knowledge and skills with the community. At the recent Tech Styles 10, there were breakers from 10 different countries who took part in a week’s worth of activities, workshops and projects with the Bradford and UK scene. For many of the younger Bboys and Bgirls, meeting these breakers was a once in a lifetime opportunity and they got to learn first-hand about their lifestyle, training and mentality. Tech Styles is also now one of the few NPO (Arts Council England supported) Hip Hop organisations in the country. The future of Tech Styles and breakin in Bradford looks incredible and we can’t wait to see what opportunities arise.
Finally, amongst all of Lloyds many commitments, he is a family man at heart. His wife, Bgirl Fox and two young children, Bboy Elijah & Bgirl Ruby Rock, have supported and watched as he has grown as a Bboy, business man, teacher and leader. Elijah quoted that ‘’It is great to have a Dad as a Bboy, I love it’’ whilst Ruby said ‘’I just love my Dad so much, and he teaches me baby freezes and makes me tacos.’’ Fiona Thompson (Bgirl Fox) has also had a major role in Tranquil Productions, Tech Styles, Clean North Crew and the growth of the Bradford Breakin scene. She is the Executive Producer of Tech Styles International and alongside Lloyd puts in endless hours of work, commitment, love and passion into every project and person within the community.
‘’What we have been through to get to where we are today has taken grit, determination and faith. God has moved mountains for us and we have been to help our communities and provide opportunities that we only dreamed were possible. Lloyd has been a pillar in Bradford’s breakin scene and it wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. The BEM honour is so deserved and I feel so blessed to be able to witness the amazing things hat have happened so far. The future is bright, thanks to God and I am looking forward to what 2026 will hold.”
‘’I just think that it is great to have a dad as a Bboy. He is musical and respectful.’’
‘’I just love my dad so much, and he teaches me baby freezes and makes me tacos.’’
As part of this celebration, Clean North arranged for one of the UK’s leading graffiti artists Trik09 to create a bespoke mural piece to honour Lloyd’s achievement. This piece truly embodied Lloyd as a Bboy and person and was revealed as a complete surprise to him and the crowd on the first day of Tech Styles 10.
Tranquil and Stylez also both received personalised plaques to award and thank them for their dedication and efforts over the past 25 years.
Following all of this, Tranquil recently received some incredible news, that he has been awarded with a British Empire Medal (BEM) and has been placed on the King’s New Year Honours List for 2026! He will attend a ceremony where he will be awarded the medal. This remarkable achievement and honour really does represent all the hard work and dedication that Lloyd has put in over the years and of course will continue to. His services to young people and the community in Bradford through hip hop and dance will always be celebrated and respected for years to come and we are overjoyed that he has received this title and medal.
Overall, we can only thank Tranquil for following his passion and keeping faith throughout it all. The journey has had many ups and downs but where Bradford is today has made it all worth it! Lloyd is a legend in the city as well as the breakin scene and we thank God for having him in our lives.
Please watch the amazing tribute video created for Tranquil to see all the work he has done and also special videos and recordings from artists, Bboys & Bgirls from around the world. Thank you to everyone that contributed to make this video so special. Keep up to date with all things Tech Styles, Tranquil Productions & Clean North on our social media.
