The duo will now represent the country at the first-ever regional finals in Singapore on April 25.

Their selection signals the rising recognition for Malaysia’s talent, with both now vying for a place at the world final in Zurich later this year.

Unlike traditional competitions, this one is a freestyle battle where dancers don’t know the music in advance and must rely on instinct and crowd connection. The audience decides the winner.

For years, Malaysia’s street dance scene has thrived in studios, cyphers and community spaces, steadily building its own identity away from the global spotlight.

That changed this year when the country officially joined the Asia Tour, marking a significant step forward for local dancers eager to be seen on a bigger stage.

The KL stop of the tour brought four international street dancers into the city – Majid Kessab, Poppin’ C, and former champions Waackxxxy and The D Soraki. The four held a public showcase and workshops.

“This exchange and sharing helps the communities to grow,” Majid, a German dancer of Kurdistan descent, shared with FMT Lifestyle. “We want to teach them to be themselves and to make them understand that their identity is what’s important for the community and the culture.”

Both Lim and Kayllash were over the moon about their wild card selection.

“It feels like a huge honour to represent Malaysia. I do feel some pressure because I’m representing the entire Malaysian dance scene, but I’m mostly excited to share my style. Our dance culture is special because of our mix of influences,” Lim, 26, enthused.

Kayllash, 19, agreed. “This shows that the Malaysian dance scene has come a long way and we are finally getting the recognition we deserve.”

Talking about the competition’s format, Poppin’ C, whose real name is Christian Triventi, said it is “built to push your comfort zone. It’s not that easy because you need to win the crowd. It’s not acting, but you need to have character to make people feel you when you dance and share it with them.”

Majid, who was inspired by his father, a renowned Kurdish folkloric dancer, stressed the importance of finding a good balance between “your skills, techniques, and how you can open up so people around you can be part of your dance in that moment, and you can feel their passion.”

However, both Majid and Poppin’ C, who have been part of the culture for years, observed that while dancers today have access to more resources and influences, they tend to look alike in their style.

“People had more authenticity and personality before. Back then, we didn’t have the easy way of learning from social media and YouTube. They were putting themselves on the hard way, practising to find really new moves, new skills, new shapes of dancing and now people are just getting lazy,” Poppin’ C said.

That emphasis on individuality is what makes the success of Lim and Kayllash particularly significant. Being selected suggests that they stood out not just through skill, but through a sense of identity that resonated with both the judges and the crowd.

As for aspiring local dancers who may feel intimidated or unsure about entering the scene, the message from the community remains clear.

“Hip hop was a social gathering. We respect each other for who you are. It’s not about the skills you have. You just come in there, you like the music, and we vibe with the same frequency,” said Majid.

“If you love something, do it for yourself not because you want to follow others. Do it because you like sharing your story. When you dance, you must share the creative story in your mind,” added Poppin’ C.

With the regional finals just weeks away, all eyes will be on how Lim and Kayllash carry that momentum forward, not only for themselves, but for a scene that is finally stepping into its moment.

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