Richard Justin, pioneer of Hip Hop dance in France
I am Richard Justin, artistic director and actor, born January 8, 1964 in Mauritius (Vacoas).
Arrived in France in 1973, I experienced hip hop culture in the 1970s watching American films produced in the United States.
I started to practice hip hop dance in Germany in 1980 before Break-in-84 and Beat Street movies were released in France. I did a lot of shows and clips in Germany (clip « Das Himmlische symposium » director Claudio Kunzani in Karslruhe with the dance school of my teacher Max Patisson for the German television, meet us in the dance sequence at the sixth minute.
With my dance group, in Germany, in the presence of Max Patisson
Before Battlein France, I was already dancing in Paris at the Trocadéro and in the Parisian discotheques, and in the suburbs 93 Le Raincy.
I was trained by American professors in France: Fusion Ruben, choreographer of the clip « Men in Black », Stefanny Session in the dance school of Jeaninne Saliba at the Capelete and I took some lessons with Laurent Biancotto rue Grignan in Marseille and the Masters Rock Steady Crew, the dancers of the film « Flash Dance » and Beat Street 84.
I worked in Toulon-Châteauvallon with Poppin-Taco, Shabadoo, the dancers and choreographers of the movie Breakin-84, Poppin-Peter. In France with Wayne Barbaste in jazz, Dominique Lisett, Dominique Lesdema in Paris at Sylvie Vartan's dance school. And in Hip Hop with Suga Pop, Anna Sanchez presents in Marseille as a jury, I collaborated with Aktuel Force Company, Kafig Company in Popping, Traction Avant Company, and choreographer Samir Hachichi in a workshop in Marseille, with Miguel Nosibor d'Aubagne and at the École nationale de Châteauvallon.
I taught and trained young Marseilles in the social centres in Marseilles and introduced Hip Hop dance and culture.
I founded the first hip hop dance school in Marseille in 1997 and worked at the MJC in the city of Miramas. I made Hip Hop dance evolve in freestyle in the dance school System Dance, helped the school and organised battles in the school in 2009 and taught at Lacordaire College.
Shabadoo in Châteauvallon
Arrived in Marseille in 1995, I performed solo at the Zuk Time discotheques, B52. I made performances, demonstrations in the presence of Roland Petit, with the students of Miramas and in the discotheques in Aix-en-Provence, also street shows, because hip hop culture was not recognized since this dance was practiced in financially disadvantaged neighborhoods and lacks space for dancers.
It is not because one comes from difficult neighbourhoods that one is not able to persevere in life because dance is a body expression and a will to share his talents and values (discipline, potential, self-confidence, self-esteem, humility). For me, hip hop culture is a spirit of competition and cry.
Indeed, the most important thing is to be yourself and to remain self-responsible for the evolution of this culture, now recognised by the state in 2024, until the Olympic Games, while at the time of the former this dance was not recognized in the living theatres.
Now the doors are open for the new generation of the year 2000. The teachers have everything at their disposal on a stage (rooms, mirror...) while I since the creation of my hip hop dance association I have only helped even if I do not regret it.
I thank the town hall of the 4th/5th arrondissements of Marseille, for whom I did things thanks to elected officials who opened doors, and the social centres of Marseille. I thank Bruno Gilles, Mrs Laurenzati and the administrative staff, Mrs Maryse, from the Caribbean and Mr Karim, youth facilitator.
Now, when I was 60, I think it's really time to think about me and keep my energy, channel it 100% for my retirement and for an independent dance activity.
I thank my teacher for the advice, Mr. Max Patisson. I am thinking of you for your artistic advice, especially to communicate with professionals in Marseille and outside Marseille.
And finally, I think about my film project, my history and my journey, reality. Everything is true. Because the last show by Alvin Ailey on October 26, 2024 m Now I know where I come from, with the experience I've had, although I respect the new generation. But if the new generation is there, and it's thanks to the hip hop elders.
Respect for Sydney, the host of TF1, the DJ Kut Kyller and Dynastie of Paris, Sya Steal, DJ Majestic, DJ Soon, DJ Sky, DJ Mofak of Marseille... and so many others.
To all associations in France of hip hop culture, young, old. Never forget where this culture comes from because it was not created in theatres, on stage or at the Olympic Games, but it comes from the street. And that's not why we're thugs because real thugs are sometimes hidden behind their sweaters, costumes and beautiful cars.
I particularly thank my assistant, Mrs Natacha, who supports me 100% and who has remotivated me to move forward in the project of making my film and sublimated my talents and professional skills, as well as my true friends.
Honour to my first group in Germany in 1982 with Mr Max Patisson, Robert Janivel; and my last group present in the video produced by Ciné-Zooms in 2012 at the International Fair in Marseille, as well as to all the Marseille students I have trained since 1997.
Mr. Richard Justin, Artistic Director
Long live classical dance, jazz, hip hop, salsa, urban dance!
My activities
Courses, hip hop dance courses
Locking, popping, hip hop basic, breakdance basic
Children, teens, adults
Private lessons at home and in the room in Marseille
Coaching, choreography
Marseille and France
Individual cardio preparation for shows and shows Battles
