36 Melody Dance Battle

Under the artistic direction of Kadir AMIGO Memiş – a Kreuzberg-based dancer and choreographer who began dancing at the Naunynritze youth centre and later co-founded the Flying Steps Academy and the Funkin’ Stylez Festival – the event brings a 7 to Smoke All Styles Battle (a battle format in which dancers compete to win seven consecutive rounds) and a Junior Battle to Gropius Bau. Organised by Merve Ayan, a key figure in Berlin’s urban dance community, the event brings together dancers from different generations and styles. They compete against one another while celebrating the diversity of a culture that emerged in Kreuzberg and continues to thrive today.

Kadir AMIGO Memiş – Artistic Director / Dancer
Merve Ayan – Organiser
SAMAN – Host
Bgirl ANNI – Judge
CRIS – Judge
IMAN – Judge
PEZ – Judge
DJ Kizito – DJ

 

Kadir AMIGO Memiş is a dancer and founding member of the legendary breaking crew Flying Steps (est. 1993). A multiple-time B-Boy World Champion, he is considered one of the trailblazers of German hip-hop culture. For more than 30 years, he has shaped the scene as a dancer, choreographer, and mentor.

Saman Hamdi is a dancer, organiser and campaigner. In 2010 he became German Breaking Champion and went on to organise events including Battle of the Year (BOTY), the HollyHood Film Festival and numerous hip-hop education projects in Berlin and eastern Germany. He holds a PhD on hip-hop activism and has organised campaigns supporting causes such as anti-deportation initiatives and healthcare strikes.

Cristina Buenaflor is a Berlin-based dance artist of Filipino-Spanish heritage specialising in club and street styles. She works as a performer, movement director and educator, creating participatory projects. Her work spans film, television and collaborations with brands including Zara and JBL. 

Iman Gele is a Berlin-based dancer, choreographer, host and organiser. As part of the East African diaspora, she is committed to amplifying marginalised perspectives within the dance scene. She is a member of the collectives Walashé and NDA BIVINI.

Pez has been an active dancer, performer and educator for over 15 years. He has worked in film, television and commercial productions and taught in Germany, South Korea, Spain, France, Italy, Thailand and China. Since 2024, he has focused on organising Waving events and strengthening Berlin’s dance community.

BGirl Anni discovered her passion for breaking at the age of six and became the German SDF Champion in 2024. She is trained and mentored by BGirl Jilou and also dances with the Next Flava Crew under BBoy Tayfun. Most recently, Anni won the 1 May Battle in Berlin and the second DTV Ranking Battle. She is the current German Junior BGirl Vice Champion.

DJ Kizito (Joshua Kizito Nsubuga) is a Berlin-based DJ with roots in the hip-hop freestyle dance scene. His distinctive, balanced sets combine familiar tracks with unexpected discoveries. He has played at battles and clubs across Germany, Japan and Cuba, including his own productions in his sets.

Merve Ayan is a project organiser with experience in managing arts and cultural projects. Her work focuses on dance events, network building and community and artist management. For 36 MELODY, she is responsible for the event’s organisational coordination and implementation.