DeCypherin DeCypher
Ottawa’s only all-bgirl crew started in 2000 as a group of friends with a love of dance and a fascination with breaking. Borrowing from the old school and from the new, DeCypher Cru quickly developed a style that is both fun and fiercely altruistic – respecting the importance of a strong foundation while encouraging and promoting conscientious creativity. Stepping into the cypher with a positive attitude, DeCypher embodies Bambaataa’s view that Hip Hop is about Peace, Love, Unity and Having Fun!
DeCypher members represent not only as strong bgirls, but as strong women in general – holding it down in shows, demonstrations, battles and projects. Sharing their style and attitude with the general public DeCypher Cru proves that, like Hip Hop pioneers Sha Rock, Lisa Lee and Debbie Dee, “us girls can get down too”!
Founded by Adabt, Miss Chief, Sabre Tooth and Tangent, the group was later joined by JFlo and Lock Ness in 2003, Nomadik in 2005 and Vocab in 2006. 2007 saw Miss Chief bringing the DeCypher style to Vancouver, taking the crew national. Over the years, DeCypher has studied and danced in a variety of cities, countries and contexts. Sharing what they learn, the crew works to make bboying and bgirling more accessible to others – organizing classes and open practices, and offering workshops that strive to help people develop confidence, not only in dance, but in life.
DeCypher Cru also organizes bboy and 4-elements of Hip Hop events, including Summer Jam on Parliament Hill, Kosmic Bboy Jams and the now annual House of PainT (celebrating its 5th anniversary this summer as the final event of Hip Hop 360). With a strong competitive spirit balanced by a belief in respect and inclusion DeCypher encourages “Good Vibes and Mad Styles,” focusing on projects that build their community, assist women and youth, and support cultural and environmental activism.
For DeCypher Cru bgirling is a way of life. They dance hard, play a lot and work to make a positive impact – Rockin’ it in their city, their country and around the world – starting from ‘De Cypher and working their way out!
DeCypher Philosophy Statement
The DeCypher Cru style is fun and fiercely altruistic.
Taking from both the old school and the new DeCypher Bgirls respect the importance of a strong and conscientious foundation, while encouraging and promoting conscientious creativity.
Our love of competition is tempered by a strong belief in the importance of respect, inclusion and cooperation.
We dance hard, play a lot and work to make a positive impact locally, nationally and globally – Rockin’ it in our city, our country and around the world, starting from ‘De Cypher and working our way out.
Some Historical Highlights
- 2000 – Tangent, Sabra Tooth, Miss Chief and Adabt* meet
- 2001 – DeCypher Cru is born
- 2002 – 1st DeCypher show (UPRISING); DeCypher starts teaching Bgirl classes, bringing more girls into Bgirling
- 2003 – DeCypher Cru holds its 1st Breaks Battle (Summer Jam on Parliament Hill)
- 2003 – DeCypher gets funding from the Canada Council for the Arts to participate in the Pulp 0 Festival in Singapore
- 2003 – Miss Chief and Adabt* move to Montreal. J Flo and Lock Ness join the crew. Sabra Tooth organizes 1st House of Paint 4 Elements Event with Kamikaze of Speedroc
- 2004 – DeCypher Cru performs at Major’s Hill on Canada Day; Lock Ness leaves for a yoga retreat in BC
- 2005 – Bgirl Nomadik joins the crew; J Flo and Tangent get Ontario Arts Council Funding to teach Breakin’ in Schools; de Cypher Jam Sessions start
- 2007 – DeCypher Cru participats in Hip Hop 360, performing at the NAC alongside Canadian Bboy legends like Bag of Trix, Illmask and CFM. Sabre Tooth takes House of PainT to the next level with a 5th anniversary event that is the biggest ever!
