"In a good way there's no beef, but the bad thing is there's no beef": Tensions and changing cultural politics in Sydney's breaking scene

The late 1990s and early 2000s saw a whole new generation of breakers emerge in Sydney, many of whom have become the formidable dancers and leaders of today's breaking scene. This chapter maps the changing cultural dynamics of this scene, while also situating it in a broader history of Sydney Hip Hop. It explores how this generation of breakers developed an ‘outward-lookingness’ in the way they drew on international sources for knowledge, skills, and inspiration for identity construction. Freed from the strictures of language and accent, breakers used different moves, styles, and approaches to distinguish themselves. This contrasts with earlier generations who were more insular and focused upon creating a distinct cultural identity (such as Aussie Hip Hopper). This chapter uses interviews with key figures in Sydney's breaking scene, and the author's own experience as a breaker in Sydney, to unpack the tensions and changing cultural politics in Sydney's breaking scene. It not only contextualises the current scene, but also lays the groundwork for future analyses of breaking in an increasingly interconnected world.