FAULT Magazine photoshoot and interview with W.A.F.F.L.E. CREW

An electrically effective energizing enrichment of life and vibrancy. We proudly share a dance or two with spotlight on New York’s finest, featured previously on ELLEN and America’s Got Talent, the W.A.F.F.L.E. CREW.

WHAT DO YOU THINK AND FEEL IS NEEDED IN THIS CURRENT CULTURAL CLIMATE?

JOEL We think and feel unity is definitely needed in this current cultural climate. It’s good to share our differences rather than critique. 

ARN I feel like we’ve reached the heights of sauce and swag so the new cool would be the education of what makes culture so important. We utilize culture but we never give it its true flowers by breaking down what makes it so vital and the power one can truly posses knowing this.

DASHAWN We have identified the climate and the problems for years to come. In this current cultural climate we need detailed solutions. We need to get to the root of solving and the step by step process that it will take. That will push the growth and direction upward.

DONOVAN In this current cultural climate I feel we need more positive roll models that’s showing the kids coming up that it doesn’t matter where you come from or how you started out it’s how you finish and if you keep working hard and being positive something great is gonna come out of that.

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT CAUSES THAT 

TAKE FOREFRONT OF YOUR MINDS IN THESE DAYS?

JOEL The most important causes that take forefront in our minds are loyalty, love, & compassion. 

DASHAWN These days I’m wondering how to maneuver amongst a world that changes daily. Within a year or two it’s felt like one huge shift and you have to try and roll with the punches but also be prepared for an uncertain future. On top of indulging in your daily vices that keep you in a positive state.

BRYAN I would say the most important thing would be love for yourself and other, being true to yourself, and be kind!

ARN Creating pathways that are not currently present for the next generation. If it wasn’t for my culture, Litefeet, I wouldn’t know the legacy I would be leaving behind for my own kids. So to sum it up – being a trailblazer that’s beneficial to not just myself but to those that are not even born yet.

HOW DID YOU ALL MEET?

JOEL We all met through Litefeet. A dance style cultivated in NYC (Harlem). We would battle at different events within the 5 boroughs. Some of us were even in the same team prior to W.A.F.F.L.E Crew. 

DASHAWN I met the guys in WAFFLE throughout different eras of the litefeet culture and movement. Different battle events, dance sessions or video shoots where we introduce ourselves and exchange knowledge on the movement. I’ve known everyone for about 10 years now.

ARN W.A.F.F.L.E started in 2011, I joined in 2014. Most of the guys met during the early battle era of Litefeet; I come from the era pre-dating that time. It was an easy fit because our goal was to take our talents from just the streets of New York to the world and we felt we could do that as a unit versus individually.

MOST VIVID DANCE CHILDHOOD MEMORY?

JOEL Most Vivid dance childhood memory would have to be discovering The Jackson 5. 

DONOVAN My most Vivid childhood dance Memory was battling in middle school at the talent show with no music. The kids gave a hand clap in the auditorium it was fulled with energy.

BRYAN My most vivid childhood dance memory would be when I took my first step to dance in front of my best friend. He was the first person I danced in front of besides my brother and he pushed me to be around more dancers and grow as a person.

ARN I was in the seventh grade and there was a play called “Century of Black” where each decade they highlighted what was very impactful; the decade I got was 1980 and I played the legendary Michael Jackson and performed “The Way you Make Me Feel.” It was the most freeing moment of my life because Michael Jackson is one of my biggest inspirations ever!

WHAT CAN WE LOOK FORWARD TO FROM 

THE W.A.F.F.L.E. CREW IN THE COMING MONTHS AND NEW YEAR?

DASHAWN You can expect the unexpected from WAFFLE in the coming months and year. A few members are starting their journey as Team Hype members performing with the Brooklyn Nets Entertainment. We are looking to host another dance event before the year is out. We’re expanding the brand to touch other aspects of culture such as merchandise and products for supporters to join the family in ways other than dance. 

DONOVAN You can look out for New Merchandise coming from the W.A.F.F.L.E Crew more dance events and  great content plus I’m speaking this to existence, “A World Tour.” 

ARN We already have the merchandise and the website setup, so get ready for new designs and also be on the lookout for the emerging music artists out of the WAFFLE crew – Yes, we do more than dance! WAFFLE Tape coming soon!

BRYAN Right now W.A.F.F.L.E has a lot coming up; ranging from a lot of videos, more dance events, community events, pop-up shops, classes and more!

WHAT AND WHO IS THE GLUE THAT UNIFIES 

AND HOLDS THE W.A.F.F.L.E. CREW TOGETHER?

JOEL Everyone is the glue when it comes to W.A.F.F.L.E. It’s like a puzzle, can’t be complete with pieces absent. 

DONOVAN The glue that holds W.A.F.F.L.E. together is are brotherhood it doesn’t matter how much we may fight and argue we still love each and stick together. We done been together since kids and we’re going to grow old together nothing can break are bond and connection.

BRYAN Just as our name says “WE ARE FAMILY FOR LIFE ENTERTAINMENT,” we are true to that name. Everyone in W.A.F.F.L.E. is an essential piece of the team. Everyone brings different energy and without a piece it wouldn’t be the same.

DASHAWN It’s safe to say the “glue” of the team is easily the dance. Litefeet brings this thing together. It’s the immediate root of everything we’ve grown to create. It’s spread and allowed us to do a little of everything else that NYC and the world has to offer. When we perform and dance together it proves how much this team works through its power and energy. We’re our best when we’re dancing and that makes ‘Litefeet’ the glue of W.A.F.F.L.E.

ARN The glue that holds us together is passion; passion to live a life of freedom of expression. We all play a pivotal part in that, that’s what makes our team so strong – no one man above the group.

WHAT IS YOUR FAULT?

JOEL Being self-centered can be my fault. I am a strong believer in having your own back. 

BRYAN I would say my fault is I am an emotional person. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I get overly invested in things. Sometimes I can’t drop something because I have to voice my opinion on it.

DASHAWN My fault is simply being so wrapped up in passion that it becomes hard to step outside of myself to be able to manipulate and test different approaches to situations. When I did some teaching of Litefeet this Summer, it made clear to me how important it is to be able to change approach. If I wasn’t wrapped up in life and how fast it moves I could easily approach tasks and this journey from different angles at times. The faster I’m able to change the approach the faster I can find an easy and simpler solution to doing things. 

ARN My fault is being the voice of the youth; taking the responsibility to say what won’t be said in spaces that need to hear the full spectrum of life in order for it to thrive.