In November 2021, young Kazakh breakdancer Amir, also known as B-Boy Amir, reached a milestone by winning the Red Bull BC One championship, the world’s most prestigious breakdancing competition. In 2024, he continued his ascent by reaching the quarter-finals at the Paris Olympic Games, showcasing Kazakh talent on the world stage in a discipline newly introduced to the Olympic Games in 2020.
1. What does street dance have to do with Kazakhstan?
With its roots in the urban movements of 1960-70s America, breakdancing followed a unique path to Kazakhstan, where it found fertile ground after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Originating in the African American and Latino communities breakdancing was started as a means of self-expression and social connection. Styles such as popping, locking and b-boying evolved alongside hip-hop culture and spread rapidly beyond American borders in the 1980s thanks to music videos, particularly via MTV, television and the cinema.
It only reached Kazakhstan after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Under the old regime, traditional Kazakh dance and ballet were favoured. Malika Akhmetova, one of the pioneers of street dance in Kazakhstan, and rare female ‘popping’ artist, started with classical and traditional dance classes, until she discovered hip-hop in her school building at the age of 15, a revelation.
The message of freedom, individuality and rebellion against conformity, rooted in American hip-hop culture and transmitted through street dance, resonated deeply with Kazakh youth. Almaty and Astana rapidly became the hubs of this new dance movement. But for Malika it was more than that: it was a way to express herself and an escape of the traditional role imposed on Kazakh women. She says she has since discovered how brave, free and strong they really are.
Born in 1997 in Petropavl, near the Russian border, Amir Zakirov discovered his passion for break dancing in 2009 when he saw an advert for a competition. Having grown up in a difficult environment, he was drawn to break dancing as a means of expression and escape.
By the time he qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Amir had become a key figure in Kazakhstan’s thriving street dance scene. He too saw it as an escape, albeit a different on.
Breaking offered me an escape, a way to go beyond mental and physical limits, always striving to surprise the audience with something unique.
Amir Zakirov
The street dance scene in Kazakhstan has been shaped by pioneers like Dauren Aizharikov and Malika Akhmetova, who introduced the art of popping to the country. Their dedication has helped bring Kazakhstan’s street dance community recognition on the world stage. Today says Malika, there is a “global community of street dancers, who meet regularly in the four corners of the globe, Africa, Kazakhstan, Vietnam”. Their biggest competitors come from the US, Japan, France and Korea, which she adds, “helps their smaller community to be more united”.
Dauren credits the film Step Up 2 (2008) as his inspiration to start dancing, and Malika, to her doctor who recommended dancing for her painful joints.
2. A unique fusion of cultures
As Kazakhstan embraces this new cultural wave, local adaptations have emerged, with dancers developing styles that honour the country’s heritage.
Traditionally, dance in Kazakhstan is more than just entertainment. It is a vital expression of cultural identity, social values and historical narratives. While some fear that mixing traditional Kazakh dance with other styles will dilute its unique qualities, Kazakhstan’s history teaches us that, as a cultural crossroads on the Silk Road, fusion has long been celebrated on the steppes.
In addition to goods, the exchange of ideas, music and entertainment along this ancient trade route linking Asia, the Middle East and Europe was also an important part of Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage. This legacy is reflected in street dance, an art form that draws on diverse influences and adapts to the whole world.
For Malika, there is no question about it, “Knowing my roots, my culture makes me more authentic and special. It can be shown in attitude, dressing style,” she says.
3. The pioneers of street dance in Kazakhstan
A dynamic and respected part of Kazakhstan’s cultural identity, dancers today continue to blend tradition and innovation, proudly representing their heritage while adopting contemporary styles. This heritage and adaptability can be seen in the way Kazakh cultural references and the emotions and stories they convey are incorporated into the performances of the young local dancers.
If traditional Kazakh dance celebrates resilience and a deep connection with the land, you can be sure of finding these in Amir’s choreography. His strength of balance, control and power reflect elements of traditional Kazakh martial dance, anchoring it in its roots even on the most modern and competitive stages.
Competing all over the world, in Paris, Amsterdam and even at the Gorilla Style Wars in Almaty, Dauren and Malika have created a unique fusion that combines traditional Kazakh aesthetics with modern popping techniques. Their style incorporates the precision and fluidity of Kazakh dance – its subtle isolations and sweeping gestures harmonise well with popping, giving their performances a graceful yet grounded quality that resonates on international stages. This fusion not only reflects their heritage, but also offers a fresh and captivating approach that bridges the gap between tradition and contemporary expression.
4. Crossing borders and time
Let there be no doubt, street dance is more than just a trend in Kazakhstan, it is a cultural movement and, for many, a form of resistance and personal emancipation. Born in the years following the collapse of the Soviet Union, young Kazakhs have embraced this new-found freedom as a space to defy convention and celebrate individual expression.
As they continue to develop their art, Malika and her peers are reclaiming a once inaccessible form and transforming it to reflect their heritage and aspirations.
“Because hip-hop is about freedom.”
