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Streamwoods TFK and DLOW take prestigious World of Dance Trophy

Streamwood, IL competitive dance team, The Future Kingz (TFK), and Capitol Records recording artist, Daryon Simmons, who performs by the stage name, "DLOW," have capitalized on their partnership once again! Winning a World of Dance (WOD) trophy is a prestigious honor for the self-made young men who have never had formal training and lacked financial support throughout their endeavors.

WOD is the largest international urban dance competition on the globe, attracting more than 100,000 fans in more than 15 countries spanning the U.S., Europe, South America and Asia. The most trained and professional dance companies world-wide, come to WOD annually to qualify, then compete, and showcase their talent. As a result of this win, TFK and DLOW have been invited to participate in Los Angeles, CA for WOD's Inaugural World Finals Competition on August 16, 2016.

TFK and DLOW will be among the world's best dancers at the 2016 finals. WOD intends to feature the hottest YouTube stars, dance icons, and all the winners of past WOD competitions at the World Finals.

"DLOW's name is an acronym that stands for Determined, Loyal, Optimistic, and Willing to Learn. He first gained fame with his song/dance called, "The DLOW Shuffle." His latest smash hit, "Bet You Can't Do It Like Me," reached 20 million YouTube views in 9 weeks, with an additional 30 million views of fan uploaded content. "Bet You," is currently featured on Billboard Magazine's Hot 100. His many TV appearances include the Steve Harvey Show, Good Morning America, the BET Experience, and appearances with Chance the Rapper at Lollapalooza, and Late Night with Stephen Colbert. TFK and DLOW appeared in multiple America's Got Talent promotional commercials and when DLOW headlined at Chance the Rapper's Teens in the Park (TIP) Fest, he invited TFK to join him to entertain 3,000 Chicago teens", said PJ Cannon, DLOW's Manager.

"All this success indicates that TFK and DLOW are not only talented but also very astute. As an example, they once competed against one another at the Chicago tryouts for America's Got Talent. But after witnessing each other's talent, they realized that they would be a stronger force united, and then they decided to collaborate on future endeavors. They respect and wish success for all their competitors which has fostered friendships and brought communities together. It has not been easy for the individuals of this remarkable team. For years they all practiced in the streets and small apartments. I could see they were determined to make something of their talent and that they were doing good things and inspiring our community so I offered my studio. They put over 3,600 hours of hard work on the floor of the Streamwood Anytime Fitness studio in the last two years. Studio fees are expensive, the boys didn't have over $120,000 to pay 3,600 hours of studio fees to hone their craft," said Janie Dziedzic, Owner of Anytime Fitness in Streamwood.

TFK and DLOW's WOD performance, a 6-minute compilation of their unique style of lyrical hip-hop, the group included DLOW's, "Bet You Can't Do It Like Me," choreography which played a part in earning a standing ovation at their winning performance. Also, playing a role in their win was a short solo performance by Odell DeQuan Andrews V. "Eight year old Odell, who opened the act, has never before performed on a professional stage and may have broken a record as the youngest person ever to take a WOD trophy home on his very first public performance", said Dziedzic,

Seventeen year old Rensel Ivan Rogue, dancer and one of the three founders of the TFK dance team, fell to his knees - with tears in his eyes - on the WOD stage as TFK's name was announced then handed a WOD trophy. The self-made unique and organic style of TFK won the WOD judges attention. "It's not about how many people are in your performance, and how you all can bust eight counts all over the stage together; it's about who you're dancing with and who these people are to you individually. Our chemistry is an important factor. We placed because last year we got 8th; we read our feedback from the judges, took that feedback and constructed a set hoping to show improvement as a whole. Our goal was to improve from last year's performance. I was proud to know that we placed without needing to follow the trends. That was our ultimate goal; to be different, to Inspire, to be underdogs of this Chicago dance scene", said Rensel Rogue.

While most of the TFK team has been here in the states taking care of business and winning a trophy, Nate Porcallanate a TFK dancer, has been in the Philippines on the ABS CNB Dance Kids tv show. The audience and all three judges of Dance Kids fell in love with his lyrical hip-hop dance style. The "Dance Kids" show is a competition style program. Nate has performed well and has qualified for the next level. You can follow him at the‪#‎prettyboyfromillinois‬ at @porcallanate on IG

Isaiah "Sosho" Fonts, is the TFK teams artistic lead and one of the three original founders. Isaiah has mentored all the dancers and developed much of the choreography. "Our team is always looking to expand. If you know a young dancer who has talent and a unique style, and if they are determined, loyal, optimistic and willing to learn; they are invited to drop by the Streamwood, IL Anytime Fitness studio for team audition." said Isaiah

"As you listen to the stories of each young man, you will learn just how hard it has been for them to rise above. None of them were privileged. They never felt entitled. They did not have parents who could pay for and drive them to expensive dance lessons. They scraped up money for gas, food, and competition entry-fees. They didn't even have supporting parents in some cases. Most of the boys are from single parent homes - that is, if they had a home. A few amazing and inspiring mothers, Frennie Deloria, Kim Podraka and Gerri DeLira effectively adopted and supported the less fortunate crew members; offering rides, food, love, couches to sleep on and creative affirmation", Dziedzic said.

If asked what motivates you, TFK and DLOW will tell you, "We have to lead by example for all our younger siblings and cousins. Life is hard in the streets and we need to show loved ones that there are options and anything is possible". "It's no wonder that the chemistry between TFK and DLOW works. DLOW and TFK are of the same fabric. The boys all have their own stories of hardships and obstacles overcome. Each story manifests as a huge dose of inspiration and hope in their communities", said Janie Dziedzic.

Anytime Fitness member Torri Perez recognized her former student and TFK dancer Malik Jones practicing at the Anytime Fitness studio. "I remember putting my arm around Malik as a young boy while encouraging him to follow the right path. He was a good kid but possibly one of the many children at risk; life could have gone either way for him. I was so delighted and proud to see him as a young man investing all his energy and passion in positive ways. The TFK dance team saved a life", said Mrs. Perez. Malik remembers Mrs. Perez as one of his favorite childhood teachers.

"With Spike Lee's Chiraq in the theaters, the dancing these boys do separately as DLOW and TFK is a stark contrast to what is being presented in this fictional movie about Chicago and black on black violence. Then when you see how these separate entities chose to come together to form a stronger coalition, the general public can see young people of color doing something positive to inspire youth. Anytime Fitness in Streamwood, IL proves once again that it is a corporation with a heart, who has a large hand in contributing to positivity within its local community," said Olivia Gil-Guevara, a member of DLOW's Management Team.

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