b.supreme interview

We chat to Holly McCartney, director of b.supreme festival, to find out where the festival comes from and what to see this year, when it comes to Southbank Centre over the Easter weekend.

What is b.supreme about?

b.supreme is the first and only festival in the UK purely dedicated to platforming the work of women in hip-hop.  The three-day festival encompasses professional and youth dance performances, DJs, MCs, Beatboxers, Film artists, Graffiti artists and dance battles from some of the leading female hip-hop dancers from all over the world.

How did b.supreme come about?

Judi McCartney (Independance) and I came up with the idea of a female hip-hop festival back in 2005 when we were working predominantly with male hip hop artists and becoming increasingly frustrated with the machoism involved. We thought we’d do a bit of research into women in hip-hop as at the time and there just wasn’t much of a female hip-hop scene, especially in the UK,  there wasn’t any kind of platform just for women. We approached Southbank Centre with our idea and then following a year of research and a whole lot of persuading and begging mixed dance groups to give up their women for one dance set, we managed to pull together a festival that featured just women.

I don’t think we realised the potential for b.supreme at the time  because it had been so difficult finding enough women in hip-hop to make up an entire festival. It was a bit of an experiment. We’ve been completely overwhelmed by the interest and support from women all over the world and since 2006, the female scene (and hip-hop dance scene in general) has grown massively so we’ve had loads of fun developing the festival to encompass every hip-hop discipline.

If I only have time to see to come to two events during b.supreme 2010, what should they be?

Definitely go to International Supreme on Saturday 3 April in the Purcell Room as this is always a great opportunity to experience hip hop dance from different parts of the world where the styles have been developed differently. I’m especially looking forward to the Waackers’ performance from LA. I would also recommend the breakin’ battles on The Clore Ballroom floor on Easter Sunday: there are lots of them, they’re always great fun to watch.