DSDS: Interview with Benito "Mav-One" Vasquez

In August 2018, I moved from Chicago to Ann Arbor, MI for graduate school at the University of Michigan. While there were great collegiate dance teams on campus, I was eager to check out the Detroit street dance scene. I wanted to find a place where I could continue to train in various street styles including house and popping. So, my friends from So Swift Crew in Chicago introduced me to Mav-One, founder and director of Motor City Street Dance Academy (MCSDA). Mav is a significant figure in the Detroit dance community. Not only was he born and raised in Southwest Detroit, he has established himself in the breaking community by competing and judging in several competition across the U.S. He opened MCSDA in June 2016 to reinvested his knowledge and resources back into his community. 

MCSDA Mission Statement: MCSDA works to enhance the lives of Detroiters through hip-hop, physical activity and healthy living. They work to uplift the disenfranchised communities in Detroit, much as the pioneers of hip-hop did decades ago. They mentor 80 youth annually with 75% coming from low-income households. MCSDA offers dance, art, and music classes through traditional styles of hip hop: Aerosol Art, Breakin’, Popping, Jit, House, DJing, beat-making, anime/comic design, and yoga. They use the elements of hip hop as a tool to empower youth with social-emotional development, professional skills, career paths, and healthy living.

"Mex-One gave me three things he always grilled me about: Discipline, structure, and dedication. Those three things. If you have those three values in everything you do, and you move with intention, for the community, you’re going to be fine."

During our interview, we discuss what it was like for him growing up in Detroit; mentors that introduced him to the breaking scene; differences between past and present hip hop culture; grant writing and entry into academic settings; his "On the Floor Off the Floor" mentality; how he decided to start MCSDA; and where he envisions MCSDA in ten years. 

It was truly an honor to spend an hour getting to know Mav through this interview. His heart for his community is so genuine. I hope many more people will come alongside his mission to share hip hop with the next generation. 

Interview Link: https://soundcloud.com/sherry-lin-800162914/dsds-benito-mavone-vasquez/s-itiAs

To learn more about MCSDA or to donate to their cause, visit their website and Facebook page.

To learn more about DSDS, read this post.