The Real Future: Street Dance Conversations

John Nyboer
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Conversations from the heart of the cypher. Hosted by Los Angeles movement photographer John Nyboer, The Real Future explores the history, culture, and future of global street dance. Filmed at his L.A. studio, John sits down with the world’s top hip hop dancers, poppers, lockers, animators, breakers, and choreographers for deep-dive discussions and spontaneous live drum and dance sessions. From underground battles to industry stages, discover the stories and styles behind the world’s largest arts movement. Subscribe to join the culture.

  1. Sep 22

    Alvin Désir: In-Person Confrontation & Cyphers (Pt 2)

    What is the value of raw, in-person confrontation in a social media era? Guest Alvin Désir joins photographer Nyboer on The Real Future to discuss face-to-face confrontation, dance cyphers as proving grounds, and they end with a live drum and dance improvisation. Missed the beginning? Watch The Real Future Episode 27 (Part 1). Episode Chapters: (00:00) Intro & Discretion Notice (00:44) The Diminishing Skill of In-Person Communication (05:53) Proving Grounds: Evolution of the Dance Cypher (11:39) Pivoting Priorities: Family vs. The Dance Community (13:33) Finding Freedom: Chasing Hollywood Dreams in LA (28:46) Navigating the Realities and Illusions of Los Angeles (34:17) Behind the Lens: The Host's Photography Journey (45:19) Rant Against Efficiency: The Socioeconomic Impact of AI (54:32) Episode Outro & Instrumental Improv LINKS ⁠Alvin’s Instagram⁠⁠Nyboer Photography⁠⁠HotZone Sessions YouTube⁠⁠Alvin’s DJ SoundCloud⁠⁠ CREDITS Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John NyboerMovement by Alvin Désir ABOUT THE REAL FUTURE PODCAST Hosted by Los Angeles-based movement photographer John Nyboer, The Real Future is a dedicated street dance podcast exploring the history, culture, and future of global hip-hop. From underground battle cyphers to industry stages, the show features raw interviews, dance discussions, and live drum and dance sessions.  CONNECT Nyboer Photography InstagramNyboer Photography Website Follow the show to join the conversation with the world's top breakers, poppers, lockers, animators, and choreographers.

    Alvin Désir: In-Person Confrontation & Cyphers (Pt 2)

  2. Sep 17

    Alvin Désir – Popping to Success from Montreal to FLA to L.A. to the Hot Zone (Part 1)

    My guest today is dancer, DJ, and event organizer Alvin Désir. Alvin is one of the first dancers I got to know when I started photographing the street dance community. Unbeknownst to us at the time, he had just moved here from Florida, and I had just started photographing dancers, so maybe we shared a similar vulnerability. Whatever the case, we’ve developed a friendship over the years and when he moved to Arizona and started producing The Hot Zone Sessions with Julio Saran, I made sure to get out there with my camera. We get into all of that and learn some funny things about how we perceived each other when we first met. We also discuss what it means for Alvin, now a father, to balance family life with dance, and how he sees the true meaning of success. Yes, those are big topics and we talked for a while, so this is Part One of a two-part episode. LINKS Alvin’s InstagramNyboer PhotographyHotZone YouTubeAlvin’s DJ SoundCloudDJ Roxswift IG CREDITS Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer

    Alvin Désir – Popping to Success from Montreal to FLA to L.A. to the Hot Zone (Part 1)

  3. Aug 23

    Boujee – Building Dance Community in Las Vegas

    Welcome to Episode 26 of The Real Future, Las Vegas Edition #3. My guest today is Brendon Paredes aka Boujee. When I first met Boujee in 2024 at the Elite Invitational battle, I didn’t even realize that he, or anyone named Boujee, was behind the event! In face, if you’re taking this in on video, I have very few photos of him and tried to find shots that at least have his logo in the background. Anyway, I had gone to this event because I knew several of the participants and it was a good opportunity to get to know more about the Las Vegas dance community. Eventually I figured out what was going on and met this person who was drawing the best dancers in the Southwest to his battles without drawing much attention to himself. I’ve photographed several of his events since that time and it’s always a welcoming environment with quality competition. So I was glad to get the opportunity to host him on the podcast and get to know him a little better. As you’ll find out, he’s just getting started and I think he’s building something special for the Vegas dance community. LINKS Nyboer Photography Boujee Block YouTube Boujee Block Instagram Kida The Great YouTube Trevontae “Trey” Leggins YouTube The Middle Ground Instagram CREDITS Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer

    Boujee – Building Dance Community in Las Vegas

  4. Jun 21

    M.P. Art - The Authentic Voice of Vegas

    My guest today is Host, MC, Dancer, and Las Vegas community voice M.P. Art. If you want to know what is happening in Las Vegas, you want to follow Art and the There’s Nothing To Do In Vegas media channels he curates with Coco Jenkins. I met Art in L.A. where he often comes out to host dance events and participate in the community. Since then I’ve been to several events he’s MC’d in Vegas, including the legendary First Friday battles at Ninja Karaoke, and I’ve come to really admire his ability to keep things moving, make everyone feel welcome, and truly represent his community. It looks effortless, but that’s only because he puts in the work to do it right. So when I knew I’d be in Vegas again I made sure to invite him onto the podcast. We talk about how his Chicano, Coachella Valley roots brought him to hip hop and shaped his views on community. We also discuss his core values and those who helped him along the way. I think you’ll enjoy Art’s calm, determined presence, so let’s get into The Real Future with M.P. Art.  And I’ve got to make a quick apology for the sound quality of this conversation - I had a tech glitch (aka User Error) with my remote setup and did not capture the usual high-quality audio.  LINKS M.P. Art InstagramNyboer PhotographyCoco JenkinsProject Blowed YTThere’s Nothing To Do In Vegas CREDITS Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer

    M.P. Art - The Authentic Voice of Vegas

  5. Jun 7

    Dread (Part 2) The Path Of Krump

    This is the second half of Episode 24 with Dread. This episode was recorded in Las Vegas and it’s the first I’ve recorded outside of my Los Angeles studio. Dread is part of the CCFFK Krump fam, a member of the Outlaws of Havoc freestyle crew, and is one of his generation’s best Krumpers. He is one of the best Krumpers on the planet, period, and in case there was any doubt, on May 9 2026 he took the crown at the  KCS Kill Krump battle in Las Vegas.  We met several years ago in Los Angeles at Battle Games 1, and he was the first Krumper I ever saw in person. He moved to Las Vegas several years ago and I was excited to have him as my guest for my first out-of-town episode. As we discuss at some length, Dread is intensely competitive and it was great to get to know the person behind what can be an intimidating exterior. We talk about his journey through Krump culture, about Krump’s increasing popularity, and about living with cystic fibrosis and how that drives him to push so hard as a dancer. In fact, we talked so much that I split this into two parts. LINKS CCRFK Fam James Moore R.I.P. Stix Shake City Get Krump Tha J-Squad CREDITS Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer

    Dread (Part 2) The Path Of Krump

  6. May 31

    Dread (Part 1) Coming Up Through Krump

    My guest today is Dread, aka Ultra, aka Violent Crush. Dread is part of the CCFFK Krump fam, a member of the Outlaws of Havoc freestyle crew, and is one of his generation’s best Krumpers. He is one of the best Krumpers on the planet, period, and in case there was any doubt, on May 9 2026 he took the crown at the  KCS Kill Krump battle in Las Vegas.  We met several years ago in Los Angeles at Battle Games 1, and he was the first Krumper I ever saw in person. He moved to Las Vegas several years ago and I was excited to have him as my guest for my first out-of-town episode. As we discuss at some length, Dread is intensely competitive and it was great to get to know the person behind what can be an intimidating exterior. We talk about his journey through Krump culture, about Krump’s increasing popularity, and about living with cystic fibrosis and how that drives him to push so hard as a dancer. In fact, we talked so much that I split this into two parts. LINKS CCRFK FamJames Moore R.I.P.StixShake CityGet KrumpTha J-SquadCREDITS Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John Nyboer

    Dread (Part 1) Coming Up Through Krump

  7. May 4

    Seji Gaerlan - Bridging The Gap

    My guest today is Seji Gaerlan. Seji is a founding member of the Syde Project dance crew and the Producer of the Orange County based Bridge The Gap jams. I’ve photographed two of these events and was impressed by the spirit and quality of the jams. I invited him in to ask about his personal story and the motivation behind Bridge The Gap. He’s a really thoughtful observer of the Southern California dance community and of life in general, and we get pretty deep into discussion about both the dance world and his experience as a kid moving here from the Philippines. Seji is both humble and audacious and I think you’ll enjoy our conversation. So let’s get into The Real Future with Seji Gaerlan. CREDITS Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John NyboerLINKS Nyboer Photography Syde Project YouTubeChamber Creative

    Seji Gaerlan - Bridging The Gap

  8. Apr 14

    Cassie Tsolis - Coming Home Through Krump

    My guest today is Cassandra Tsolis. I first asked Cassie about being a guest last summer at Unimate 2025.  We were talking and she said she’d only been dancing for 6 years. I had to know more! How did she become such an explosive krumper in such a short period of time? We get into that story and how it relates to her writing a book and the development her somatic therapy program called Echo Movement.  Cassie is someone who always grabs the crowd’s attention in a battle because she leaves it all on the dance floor every time. It was great to hear her story and I think you’ll enjoy our conversation. CREDITS Production, Writing, Concept, Design, Video, Audio, Music, Photography by John NyboerLINKS Nyboer PhotographyCassandra’s Book, “Coming Home To Me”Echo Movement IGNoé "Jbad" RiosBvck Originals YT

    Cassie Tsolis - Coming Home Through Krump
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5
out of 5
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About

Conversations from the heart of the cypher. Hosted by Los Angeles movement photographer John Nyboer, The Real Future explores the history, culture, and future of global street dance. Filmed at his L.A. studio, John sits down with the world’s top hip hop dancers, poppers, lockers, animators, breakers, and choreographers for deep-dive discussions and spontaneous live drum and dance sessions. From underground battles to industry stages, discover the stories and styles behind the world’s largest arts movement. Subscribe to join the culture.

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