Kareem Gwinn aka Kareem

Representing the Killafornia crew from Sacramento, Kareem has spent the last 12 years defying labels. “My style isn’t a style,” he says. “It’s a feeling that I have when I dance. If I’m feeling powerful, then I have a powerful style; if I’m feeling funky, then I have a funky style.” This sense of spontaneity separates Kareem from those opponents who place technique before passion—and it helps him stay poised when facing tough competition.

Earlier this year in Poland, Killafornia more than held their own against the Pockemon crew, led by two-time Red Bull BC One champ Lilou. As usual, Kareem kept a cool head and turned in a performance that added to his self-described reputation as someone “who can dance like no one is watching, and who just expresses himself on the dance floor.” Looking ahead to the Red Bull BC One United States qualifier in Chicago, he says, “My hopes are to win the competition and show where hard work and dedication can take you. I want to be a role model by working my hardest and going all the way to win Red Bull BC One.”