BIO KATSU

At the age of 12, Katsuyuki Ishikawa aka KATSU saw Michael Jackson’s legendary video Thriller and was first inspired to dance. By 17, he took up Locking. When the Hip Hop musical, GhettOriginal’s “Jam on the Groove” toured Japan in the 90’s, the promotional TV appearances exposed B-Boying to KATSU for the first time. Within a year, he began B-Boying and never looked back!

While KATSU credits Michael Jackson as being very influential for him as a dancer, B-Boy Pepito from Australia has had the greatest impact on him as a B-Boy. He states, “If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be who I am today!” He thoughtfully acknowledges all of the B-Boys worldwide and everyone he’s come in contact with, with having influenced him in some way.

Since 2005, he has traveled across the globe taking titles in major battles alone and with his crews: All Area, Mighty Zulu Kingz, 7$ and Fresh Sox. In 2009 alone, the All Area crew including KATSU won the Battle of the Year Japan, Battle of the Year Asia, R-16 Japan and ALTEAM8 International! One of his most memorable triumphs was winning Freestyle Session 10 in 2007 in Los Angeles, CA with his crew. He enjoys endorsements from Top Nation and SUW clothing. Presently KATSU works only as a B-Boy performing at events, teaching others and judging battles. He has released his own feature DVD: “I am KATSU – BBoy Spirit” and appears in the “All Area” B-Boy instructional DVD. Fans can also catch him in the movie “Subaru” which he insists is not about the car. Although he has tried his hand at Locking as well as MC’ing in the past, he is now devoted strictly and wholly to his passion: B-Boying.

In fact, his passion for the dance eventually earned his family’s support. In the beginning, they could not envision how he could make a living with it. KATSU relates, “Eventually they started to see how dedicated I was and my passion for what I do won them over. It pays to be persistent and believe in what you do!” The most important thing to him when he is dancing is to pay attention to the music and lock into the groove. He strives to feel the beat deep inside and express himself through the music. He wants to channel himself and his emotions though the music, becoming one with the music.

While he finds a sort of spiritual experience when he’s dancing, he is hardcore and uncompromising when it comes to competition. To KATSU, there’s nothing friendly about a battle – someone has to lose. It’s about mindset, focus, understanding the situation and what’s at stake. He relates, “When I’m on the battlefield, I’m all there and I’m geared up to battle, to win. My senses are focused on every detail: how I dress, the way I act, each move that I throw out, etc. It’s all part of my being there fully and authentically - being real. I also analyze my opponent, what he is doing and how he’s doing it. I look for areas to strike and wait for him to drop his guard so I can take him down!”

KATSU offers this advice to B-Boys, “Never forget what you’re there to accomplish. Always put your best foot forward. I see a lot of B-Boys throwing out incomplete moves. If it ain’t fully ready, you have no business putting it out. One wrong move like that can destroy the whole match for you.”

KATSU views New York City as a “power source” and is confident that many of the RED BULL BC ONE competitors will leave with something very important from their visit to the city as well as their experience on the battlefield. He has not worked with RED BULL BC ONE before, but attended the 2008 battle in Paris, as guest of the Japanese media. He is truly appreciative of being invited to judge the RED BULL BC ONE expressing, “At first I honestly couldn’t believe it! But as far as being offered the opportunity, I am truly grateful.” As a judge at this year’s battle, KATSU announces that he will be looking for the B-Boy “who is fully present and in the moment, who knows himself and is in control of himself: how he carries himself and how he moves - because that’s how you control your opponent and the eventual outcome of the battle.” To the competitors he urges, “This is your chance – go all out with no regrets!!!”

“On a final note I just hope people never forget what we’re doing, because it’s up to all of us to ensure that the culture and message live on. B-Boys all over the world come together, and despite the differences in language and culture, we all speak a common language. That’s the magic here but it’s so easy to take that for granted.” - KATSU SOURCE REDBULLBCONE

http://ameblo.jp/bboykatsu/