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Overview
In the late 20th and early decades of the 21st century, hip hop was an important focus and creative outlet for young people all over the world, including here in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The material culture of hip hop in New Zealand documents a distinctive local response to a global music phenomena across a range of cultural activities.
Significance
This is a bronze medal won by Althea Strydom at the Hip Hop International World Championships in 2010. Althea was part of the dance group Sorority, who are members of the wider group Royal Family, who are based at The Palace Dance Studio in Auckland, New Zealand.The Sorority team competes in the varsity division of the championship which is limited to young people in the 12-18 year old age bracket. Since 2010, the Sorority dance crew have achieved consistent placings in the top three crews of the competition. In 2010, they received bronze, in 2011 gold, in 2012 silver and they placed third with bronze in 2013.
The Palace Dance Studio
The Palace Dance Studio is owned by internationally recognised choreographer and dancer, Parris Goebel who specialises in hip hop dance. It is home to the Royal Family Hip Hop dance crews that include Royal Family, ReQuest, Misfits, Sorority and Bubblegum. It is also the origin point of a dance movement known as Polyswagg - a fusion of the Polynesian dance styles that members of the Royal Family have combined with their passion for hip hop choreography and style.
Acquisition History
This medal was gifted to Te Papa by The Palace Dance Studio on behalf of Althea Strydom in 2013.