US based Primetime Emmy Award winner Hokuto Konishi, popularly known as Hok, finds his inspiration from the things, which might be considered peculiar. The pioneer who aces in giving a spin to regular dance moves, has a style that is unique owing to his philosophical outlook to things around. “I’ve always been intrigued by what people term as weird and it’s the oddness of our world that piques my interest and pushes me to seek things that are different and unique,” says Hok, who is an alumna of So You Think You Can Dance season 3 – an American television dance show.
Hok took the stage in the city at the third edition of India’s biggest hip-hop dance festival Breezer Vivid Shuffle. Talking about the event, the dancer reveals that he was invited last year as well, but due to a schedule conflict with a TV show he was taping in LA, he was not able to make it then. “I am very happy to be here this year though and so grateful to be a part of a festival in India,” he shares.
The artist enjoys decoding moves and experiences that are bizarre or extraordinary and applies them to his dance and life in general. Hok’s style of dance is also inspired by the way he interacts with the societies around him. Lived in the UK during his childhood, Hok switched between many countries that according to him helped him appreciate people’s differences. “I am constantly learning on the go and from the amazing people I meet. I’m always seeking new areas that I can grow in and very, fortunately, I have been able to travel and go on adventures that allow me to continue nurturing this never-ending passion,” reveals the dancer.
Born in Tokyo, Hok started dancing when he was just 15, and at the age of 35, the dancer has earned the crown of being the best at his work. He has won multiple reality shows and has choreographed American electronic dance music duo LMFAO’s dance routine for Party Rock Anthem and Champagne Showers. He was also seen in an animated musical comedy film Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel and has also collaborated with sports brand Nike. Moreover, the artist believes that it is the reality shows that helped him discipline himself and train. “When it comes to reality shows, it becomes imperative to discipline yourself. The key is to be prepared, because in reality shows, you may be put under the spotlight at any time,” explains the dancer and confesses that he may be biased in his outlook, “There are always pros and cons to reality shows. However, that is how I started my professional career and I may be biased, but I only see the positive side of it.”
When asked about his own achievements and learning over the course of two decades as a professional dancer, he shares that because of his talent, he gets a chance to interact with a lot of people. “I’ve come to realize that we’re all not that different from each other. The challenges, learning and experiences are often the same, regardless of which country you belong to. Through dance, we are all the same,” muses the artist.
Although hip-hop is still a new form in India and dancers are trying to streamline the form, Hok, in his first visit to the country, has witnessed the electrifying and contagious energy of the Indian dance community. Moreover, the artist has observed about how Indian hip-hop dancers are merging the dance forms with traditional moves and sometimes, even traditional music. “This helps local people familiarise themselves with the genre organically. It’s a unique and neat way in which hip-hop can be integrated within their culture and once the ball starts rolling, the rest will be a matter of time,” he gushes and adds that everything takes time to become mainstream, “But when it does, it blows up.”
