Almost a decade ago, a scrawny and terrified fourteen year old kid was physically threatened by an older peer to attempt some breakdancing moves. "I refused repeatedly to try breakdancing but that time I just didn't want to get beaten up!" That was the birth of ThomasOragami's passion for dancing. For the first five years, he claims he was only breakdancing and has really been bboying for the last four years as he distinguishes the difference between the two. "I started just dancing, and only the second half of my career have I been studying breakdancing as an art form by researching the history, traveling, and learning from other bboys that I have developed into a bboy and not just a breakdancer."
ThomasOragami is one of the three original bboys of the Soul Felons Crew, established in 2001 in the Tri-Cities, Washington with fellow bboys King Reds and Eldridge. For two years they traveled the west coast, developing a name for themselves. In 2003, they hooked up with bboys RawbFelon, Guwain, and Footloose in Vancouver, BC and completed the Soul Felons. Since, their latest additions include Roc-Reequez, Luis, Sumal, Lou-E and J-Bugz.
When asked where Thomas' source of for his energy and passion for bboying, he responds "Jeanvie Jaylyn Chung". A devoted father to a beautiful seven month daughter, he explains, "Every time I dance, I dance for her. She is my ultimate inspiration."
Thomas' next public appearance will be at the Ashes to Ashes competition in Portland Oregon. For details and updates go to myspace.com/ashesbattle.
