Malaysia’s street dance took centre stage as two local dancers were named wildcard for the upcoming Red Bull Dance Your Style Regional Finals, following a high-energy Asia Tour stop in the capital.
The KL leg of the tour, is the first in Malaysia, brought together international dance icons including Majid Kessab, Waackxxxy, Poppin ’C, and The D Soraki, who engaged with the local dance community through workshops and live showcases.
This tour is supported by Tourism Malaysia and it started after a visit to Batu Caves, as it offers the international dancers a glimpse with Malaysia’s cultural heritage. It then continued with traditional Mak Yong session alongside cultural representatives, bridging classical storytelling with modern street dance. Waackxxxy, 2023 word champion, described it as a highlight and that it offered a new perspective on Malaysian culture.
Spotlighting on Local Talent
The tour concluded in a vibrant way in Bukit Bintang, where local dancers performed alongside the visiting All-Stars, highlighting the growing strength of Malaysian’s street dance industry.
Following the event, two Malaysians Lim Yeoh Hwee, also known as Marcus, 26 years old and Kayllash Thiagarajan, 19 years old, were selected as wildcard entries to represent the country at the regional finals in Singapore on 25th April.
The duo will compete against top dancers around Southeast Asia for a spot at the world finals in Zurich Switzerland this October. Marcus described this opportunity as an honour and said he is excited to showcase Malaysia’s unique dance identity, shaped by diverse influences.
“It feels like a huge honor to represent Malaysia at the first-ever Southeast Asia Regional Finals. I do feel some pressure because I’m representing the entire Malaysian dance scene, but I’m mostly excited to share my style. Our dance culture is special because of our mix of influences, there is so much individuality and passion here, and I really want the world to see that side of Malaysia,” said Marcus.
Kayllash, called the selection as a major milestone, saying this reflects the growing recognition of Malaysia’s dance community.
“I feel honored and grateful for the opportunity. Since it’s my first time joining Red Bull Dance Your Style, this is a completely new experience for me,” he shared. “I think this shows that the Malaysian dance scene has come a long way and we are finally getting the recognition we deserve. For my preparation, I’m just staying true to myself and being as honest as possible through my dance,” said Kayllash.
As Marcus and Kayllash prepare for Singapore, their journey represents as more than a competition, it is a chance to bring Malaysian passion, creativity and individual to a global audience.
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