By Todd Ross 

www.toast-jam.com

 I had the opportunity to sit down recently with a real Hip Hop crusader to discuss how Hip Hop has influenced event production over the past decade. He has spent the last decade promoting Hip Hop, graffiti, b-boying, and MCing at immersive events across the globe as well as being a pillar to the communities he has served.

TR:         Hi Jonathan, thanks for spending some time with us, could you describe to our readers what it is that you do you?

JF:           Peace, Todd. My name is Jonathan Fields aka: DJ Trails. I’m a DJ, Promoter, Event Producer, Designer, & Fine Artist. I have been producing and organizing events since 1997.  Most of my events were hip hop dance related, but I have worked on everything from conferences, fashion shows, concerts, clubs, art shows, health fairs, etc…. Recently, I have been working with a famous old school bboy, Speedy Legs, and we have a company called “Hip Hop Elements”.  Together, we have put events on nationwide and held international dance conferences on South Beach for over 12 years.     
 
TR:          Hip Hop is constantly changing, what inspires you now?

JF:            First and foremost, kids. Watching the next generation learn the history and prosper from the hard work we and the pioneers before us have laid down. Giving back to the community. ‘m continually inspired by the level of dedication and intensity of Hip Hop. Bboyin’ in particular, is probably the most dynamic and free flowing form of self-expression on the planet.  Most of the guys you have seen win America’s Best Dance Crew and in all the movies have been through our events at one time or another….. A lot of them made a name for themselves at one of our competitions. It’s nice to see them taking their career to the next level.

TR:          Yes it seems like it is getting more and more exposure. What do you see as the most important trends in Hip Hop Dance right now?

JF:           Well, It’s like the 80’s all over again. Break Dancing is in! It’s everywhere. Hopefully this time around, the pioneers will have a little more control in the way the dance is represented. Unfortunately, it does not look that way…  They have BS judges in most of these shows and these movies are way too Hollywood to show what really goes on. On another note, MTV has recently aired a couple good documentaries, “Inside the Circle  & Planet Bboy.”   

TR:          What is driving innovation in your industry?

JF:            Definitely the Internet and social media…… It’s provided unlimited content and access to the world.  It has many pros and cons.  We can promote our events and videos world wide, but all our content is stolen and used with out proper credit.  People can learn new moves and dance styles without leaving the house, but they copy combinations and end up looking like clones of their favorite dancers.  Forums give people a place to express their opinions, but then you have to deal with cry babies and anybody can write anything…..

aka DJ Trails

You can find more information about Jonathan Fields and his events at:
www.hiphopelements.com