Biography

The Ground Illusionz crew is an independent, multicultural Hip-Hop collective founded in 99' just outside of the Toronto limits in the hidden gem west-lands of Mississauga. Built during Hip-Hops late 90's revival, GI developed over a year during the turn of the century and quickly became the city's most complete B-Boy team, known for consisting of the most diverse B-Boy & Popping characters with powerful versatility of skills to match. GI has a strong foundation in the original Hip-Hop styles of B-boying/Popping and further representation of other Hip-Hop art elements, such as, Graffiti art, Turntablism and Emceeing through affiliation & collaboration.

Since their establishment in the Spring of 1999, The Ground Illusionz Crew has performed over 250 performances to date performing for crowds of 40 to 400 to 4,000 during: Grand openings, fundraisers, private & corporate parties, concerts, car shows, workshops, art festivals, showcases and public demonstrations. some highlights include opening performances for Melle Mel and the Furious Five for the 24th Beatstreet anniversary, Maestro during ManifesTo, Bad boy Bill and other world famous Dj's on Electric Circus, Choclair, Kardinal Offishall and the legendary Late Oscar Peterson. In 2003, GI had become the first ever B-boy/Hip-Hop Group to receive a finalist award at the Mississauga Arts Awards, and that's not all…

Members of GI have been displayed on film (Honey, Take the Lead), music videos and stage with local artists such as Masia One, Ultamagnus, the monument works, Tom juhas, JSN, and Daytona. GI has also been featured on every major national Canadian Television station including: MUCH, City TV, SPACE, MTV Canada, Global, CBC, CTV, TVO, Rogers, Onmi TV, The comedy network, BPM, seasonal work with CTS and an exclusive performance for international television on Fairchild Chinese TV, with articles for "Inside Mississauga", "Active Mississauga", "Sweat" & "Pound" magazines.

While attaining a commercial status in the past 9 years, GI have a fresh reputation and street credibility across Canada. dominating in underground or commercial competitions locally with 20 underground tournament victories in Ontario and contending internationally, while holding championship titles in all categories. GI eventually gained a strong local then national success to become known as one of Canada finest crews. In addition to being a strong competitive and entertaining force, GI has full involvement in community art development projects like: "The Word Project", "ManifesTO", "literacy through Hip-Hop", "The international Childrens Festival", "Blue Print For Life" and the development of "EY-TECH", Mississauga's first ever Hip-Hop education curriculum implemented through the city .

Ground Illusionz has inherited classic Toronto status as a solid crew filled with a mix of style, power, character, a unified mentality and originality based on Toronto B-Boy forefathers and legends. After a 2-year hiatus during 2004, The Ground Illusionz reformed with a new generation, manifested from community development projects and support from other crews. Today, one of Toronto's most legendary crews returns with new members, sharing the same original mentality.

Some recent GI accomplishments include: Choreography for the Toronto Raptors '07, winning Toronto's 1 on 1 style championship 08', 2 on 2 popping championship 07', and being involved in the revolutionary Arctic Canada social work initiative "Blue Print For life", which brings Hip-Hop culture to remote Indigenous communities across the the northern territories. GI are back in action not only on the battle front as returning champions but also as advocators of Hip-Hop in Mississauga and example across the country. Find them across the GTA doing local community development and showcase work for Toronto stage shows, theaters and local festivals such as "Talent Defined for City Dance Corps", LuminaTO, ManifesTO, Kollaboration, Bread & Honey and various events at Toronto's Harbour Front centre.

SHOWCASE blurb

“The Ground Illusionz is a multicultural crew of Hip-Hop artists that focus on the cultures original styles of dance. Their message of “transcending” foundation through originality have grown them into a crew that not only represent as competitive champions, but also as contributors to the community through demonstration, development & sharing of knowledge. In the past 10 years the Ground Illusionz have proven without a doubt to be one of the Canada’s finest dance teams and part of a legendary GTA history of Hip-Hop artists. GI has been inspiring people around the nation through showcase representation on every major Canadian television station, including appearances on: MuchMusic, CityTv, CBC, Global, CTV… etc. With over 20 Canadian tournament championships, international competition representation, major motion film & independent music videos, workshops across the country, a Mississauga artist award in 2003 as well as 250 performances between all members since 99’, GI has been creating magic. So make sure you keep your rhythm in-tune, your energy positive and your eyes open to witness the Ground illusionz.” Groundillusionz.ca