MT Pop: How Popping & Creativity Unlocked The World #25

In this conversation with MT Pop, we talked about how he overcame his humble beginnings and used creative artforms (Popping) to take him around the world to become a global rising star in the world of street dance. He detailed his upbringing, cultural perspectives and the mindset needed to pursue what was once an unreachable dream. From having been stripped of academic opportunities due to financial hardship, language barriers, and navigating the cultural intersection of East vs West, MT Pop's journey serves as a inspiring tale of grit.
He reveals his secret ingredients for creativity, from exploring both inner and outer space, to embodiment of character development and emotional content. We talked about what his pillars are going into dance competitions and personal judging criteria.
Nguyễn Vũ Minh Tuấn (aka MT Pop) is a Vietnamese (Saigon) dancer and movement artist, specializing in the Popping style within street dance culture. He's been dancing for over 15 years and has been taken around the world in his artistic pursuit. He has not only taught, participated and competed, but also won at some of the world's biggest dance contests including Freestyle Session in California - West Coast motherland of Popping.
Crews: X-Clown (Vietnam), Playboyzinc (USA)
Follow MT Pop
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IG: / mtpop.vn
EM: [e-mail]
Get Enculturated!
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FB: / enculturationpodcast
IG: / enculturationpodcast
HP: www.enculturati...
TT: / enculturationpodcast
Time Stamps
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00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:51 - Introduction to Popping
00:07:21 - MT Pop's Inspirations
00:09:55 - Teachers I've Learned From
00:11:06 - X Clown and Playboyz
00:12:37 - How Popping Changed Me as a Person
00:15:45 - MT Pop's Approach towards Creativity
00:19:22 - Original vs Interpretation
00:21:32 - Waving was my first Inspiration
00:23:43 - Vietnamese Street Dance Lineage
00:27:19 - Choosing Creativity in Poverty
00:33:33 - Airchair, Cigarettes & Coca Cola
00:35:11 - Coming Out to the Scene
00:37:12 - Proving Street Dance Isn't Bad
00:41:15 - Support from My Mother
00:43:51 - Wearing Different Mindsets
00:47:41 - Living off Street Dance
00:48:56 - Individuality vs Collectivism (Community)
00:53:48 - Distinctions North vs South Vietnamese Dance Culture
00:57:45 - MT Pop's Approach to Practice & Progression
01:01:42 - Vietnam Airline is Next Level
01:02:34 - Fighting Skill Degradation
01:08:20 - Breaking down MT Pop's Workshops
01:10:51 - Building Upon Ideas
01:17:06 - American Dance Culture's Impact on Vietnam
01:23:02 - Battling Global Icons (Acky from Japan)
01:25:25 - Chasing the Feeling over Winning
01:27:23 - MT Pop's Judging Criteria
01:30:11 - Clip Commnetary with MT Pop
01:30:35 - MT Pop vs Sonya (Freestyle Session)
01:30:35 - Winning in LA / Be Memorable
01:34:02 - Future Goals & Vision
01:37:37 - The Key Takeaways
01:42:53 - How to Best Support
01:44:11 - Shout Outs
01:46:06 - Final Closing Thoughts

[@ongyujien1]

MTPOP is really my inspirational figure in dancing. his style is exceptional special and his attitude and everything is very very inspiring to others. love him so much.

[@bestly802]

MT was the reason I switched from breaking to popping. I used to watch breaking all the time.

[@BDAILY365]

Krump fan to popping here lolz

[@MattDiggity]

Hell yes!

[@11equalsfish]

He has interesting and thoughtful journey. This is good interview.

[@alinab9942]

He seems like such a humble and kind person. Much love🖤

[@konekohousepetshop]

I know him from 2009 until now. For me, he’s very talent and humble ❤

[@enculturationpodcast]

@@konekohousepetshop amazing, how did you guys meet ? Did you practice together ?

[@bestly802]

Same. I knew him since he participated in some dance competition in Europe and smoked everyone. Forgot what year it was.

[@LorenzoMosca722]

Amazing interview, thank for bringing one of the greatest poppers of the moment (and personally my favorite dancer and biggest inspiration). I want to compliment the interviewer for making super interesting questions, MT shared so much things also thanks to the well aimed questions. New subscriber gained, keep going!

[@enculturationpodcast]

Thanks for tuning in and the warm feedback! I will keep going as long as I can!

[@matheusefeitos2780]

Nice 🔥 🔥

[@popngee4559]

mt pop🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼