Clean North Crew | Limerick, Ireland

The first international event of the year came around fast for Clean North, as three members of the crew were excited to receive an invite to the Top 8 Street Dance Battle in Limerick, Ireland. Having previously travelled to and experienced the Irish scene, Bgirl Ammo, Bgirl Labyrinth & Bboy Jonah began preparations for the crew battle with a strong awareness of the culture and lessons they’ve gained along the way.

They set off late on Friday night, arriving in Dublin before continuing the longer journey to Limerick. Despite the time, the crew’s focus only sharpened as anticipation built. Preparing both the body and mind before an event is essential for any breaker and the Bboy’s and Bgirl’s of Clean North are no strangers to this discipline. Prioritising rest, nutrition and recovery in the days leading up to an event, the trio arrived at their hotel wasting no time, unpacking and recharging.

The Saturday morning began with a full breakfast before setting off to the first venue of the day. As they approached The Crescent Shopping Centre, the music could be heard on the streets and the heavy bass set the tone before they had even stepped inside. The youth battles were already in full swing and the crew were quickly greeted by familiar faces from the scene.

Entering the qualifiers, they faced three new gen Bboys, however, Clean North wowed the judges, showcasing the strong bond and mentality within the group. After scoring as one of the highest 3v3’s, the crew secured their place in the top 8. The vibe was incredible as many of Limerick’s locals and scene crowded round to watch the intense match-ups unfold and DJ Khanfu supply the hypest beats.

The quarter-final began and the trio stepped it up even more, delivering some of their strongest routines and rounds of the day. Representing Bradford to the fullest, they successfully gained all three votes and a well-deserved place in the semi-finals! The group now had a few short hours to wind down, rest and plan for the upcoming battles that evening. Soon enough, it was time to make their way to the second venue, one which they were familiar with at Dance Limerick.

Walking back into the church, the atmosphere was higher than ever; the crowd ready in their seats, judges warming up for their showcase and the Bboys and Bgirls deep in the cyphers. The battles began and Clean North were one of the first to take the stage. They gave it their all, attempting high-risk routines and commandos, leaving it all on the floor. These three breakers really left a strong and raw impression on the Irish scene, putting Bradford on the map yet again.

Hip Hop is made up of four key elements, nowadays it can be rare to see all of them being expressed at once. However, this is something that the crew have always witnessed at Top 8’s events. This year, the element of MCing was prominent at the afterparty which took place at the ‘Melody Bar’. The crew made their way over to the venue where an extremely intense, raw and captivating rap cypher was taking place. Many of Ireland’s best MCs had gathered to put on a show for the Limerick scene and visitors. The crew were completely blown away by the skill, energy and pure talent in the room and the night was a truly incredible experience.

Thank you!

We’d like to take a moment to shine a light on the Top 8 team, especially Bboy Tobi. Over the years, he has dedicated an incredible amount of time, energy and heart into building something truly special, not just for the breakin scene in Ireland, but for the wider Hip Hop community as a whole.

Sadly, on the day of the event, Tobi was violently targeted and attacked on route to the venue. It was an incredibly shocking and scary situation for everyone and unfortunately had serious consequences for him. Both his eyes were severely injured, causing instant damage to the iris’. He is now on the road to recovery, facing multiple surgeries to try bring back a fraction of his vision. Tobi wished for the event to continue despite his circumstances and that is indeed what happened. Deborah and the team did an amazing job ensuring this event was a success, even with all that happening behind the scenes. After twelve years of hosting, organising and bringing Top 8 to life, no one could have ever expected that this tragic event would occur and we ask that you all keep Tobi in your thoughts and prayers. There is a JustGiving page to help support Tobi in his recovery (please see below).

Anyone who has been involved in organising events knows that it’s no easy task. To do it consistently, year after year, comes with its fair share of challenges. It demands perseverance, patience and an unwavering passion to keep pushing forward and giving back to the culture. Tobi embodies all of this and more, without a doubt. His commitment has helped create a platform that continues to grow, inspire and bring people together.

Of course, none of this happens alone. The Top 8 team as a whole deserve their flowers and we want to give a special shout out to Deborah as well for the role she plays behind the scenes in making it all possible!

Please take the time to read, donate and support Tobi in his recovery by clicking the link below.

Bgirl Fox, one of the leaders of Clean North Crew, has had a long term connection with Tobi and the Top 8 team. We have been fortunate enough as a crew to travel to Ireland for a number of Top 8 events over the years, thanks to the invitations. Each time, it’s been an incredible experience. Watching the event evolve and grow has been amazing and it’s clear how much care goes into ensuring all elements of Hip Hop are represented and respected.

That same energy is something we strive to carry in Bradford through our own Tech Styles events – making sure the culture is represented in its fullest form. We see the same dedication in Ireland and it’s something we truly connect with every time we go.

Big shout out to Tobi, Deborah and the entire Top 8 team. Thank you for all that you do for the scene!