Jimmy DeLaRosa (B-Boy JWolf), Riverside Breakdancer Competing on the World Stage

 # Jimmy DeLaRosa (B-Boy j-wolf): A Career Built on Culture, Foundation, and Global Competition **Jimmy DeLaRosa**, professionally known as **B-Boy j-wolf**, is a breakdancer from **Riverside, California**, with over **18 years of experience** in breaking culture. His career reflects a path shaped by family influence, Chicano cultural roots, and long-term dedication to the foundations of the dance. ## Early Life and Introduction to Breaking Jimmy was first exposed to breaking through family gatherings, where cousins and his father’s friends practiced breaking and popping. These early experiences introduced him to dance as both celebration and cultural expression. His interest deepened in high school after watching the film *Beat Street* with his mother, **Ilene DeLaRosa**, which inspired him to pursue breaking more seriously. Key influences in his early development included his aunt Karen, who practiced popping, and later the film *Step Up 2*, where he saw performances by **B-Boy Luigi (Monster)**. His motivation was strongly shaped by Chicano communities, where breaking and popping are closely tied to funk music and long-standing traditions of street dance. ## Style and Approach Jimmy’s style is best described as **well-rounded**, with a strong emphasis on **foundation and creativity**. Rather than focusing exclusively on power moves, he reinterprets basic breaking movements by adding technical detail and personal variation. His approach prioritizes originality within traditional structure, combining established forms with individual expression. This balance between fundamentals and experimentation has defined both his competitive strategy and teaching philosophy throughout his career. ## Crews and International Collaboration Jimmy remains an active member of the Inland Empire-based crew **Until We Die**, where he developed his foundation through battles, training sessions, and regional events. In addition, he founded an international collective known as **All Nation Rise**, created to connect breakers from different countries under shared principles of respect, cultural exchange, and artistic development. Members include: • **B-Boy Too Short** (USA) • **B-Boy Jihad** (USA) • **B-Boy Tlakua** (Mexico) • **B-Boy Cirujano** (Mexico) • **B-Boy Shao** (Taiwan) • **B-Boy QD** (Taiwan) • **B-Boy Allen** (Philippines) Through this collective, Jimmy expanded his work beyond regional competition into sustained international collaboration. ## Teaching and Mentorship Jimmy is actively involved as a teacher and mentor with **The Empire Breaking Academy**, where he trains students in foundational technique, creativity, and cultural knowledge. His teaching reflects a transition from solely competing to supporting the development of younger dancers and preserving the traditions of breaking culture. ## Competitive Career and Achievements Jimmy’s first major competition win occurred in **2011** with his crew **Until We Die** at **World of Dance**, before the event became a televised series. He later won the **LA Breakers Anniversary Jam** with the same crew. He has described this early period as one in which his crew carried much of the competitive responsibility while he continued developing his individual skills. A major turning point came in **2017**, when he won **Freestyle Session Taiwan** alongside his Taiwanese crewmates **B-Boy Shao** and **B-Boy QD**. Freestyle Session is widely recognized as one of the most established events in breaking culture. This victory marked a period of technical growth and competitive independence. In **2019**, Jimmy won the **Freestyle Session Breaksmart Edition World Final** in San Diego, which qualified him for the **Breaksmart World Final** in Russia. There, he reached the finals and battled **bboy Kosto** of **Top 9 Crew**, representing one of his most visible international appearances. During the rise of breaking as an Olympic sport, Jimmy won the **Rockwell Classic** in **2020**, the second official American Olympic qualifying event organized by **USA Breaking**. In that event, he defeated competitors including **B-Boy Morris**, **Nay-Tron**, and **Harry**, finishing tied for **fourth place in the national rankings**. Following the transition of the U.S. Olympic pathway to **Breaking for Gold**, Jimmy continued competing at a high level, making several **Top 16 appearances**. In **2022**, he competed at the **Style Elements Anniversary**, an event he had followed for years and which featured battles by established figures such as **Saewl**, **Thesis**, **Flexum**, and **J-Dilla**. Jimmy has participated in **five Red Bull BC One competitions**, with one of his most notable performances occurring at **Red Bull BC One San Diego**, where he reached the finals before sustaining an injury. Internationally, he has recorded competition victories on **five continents**, including a **Red Bull-hosted 2v2 event** at the **Flying Steps Crew Academy**, which he won alongside **B-Boy JerryVeryMuch**. ## Legacy and Ongoing Work Jimmy DeLaRosa’s career reflects steady progression from crew-based competition to international recognition. His work combines cultural continuity, technical development, and mentorship. Through competition, teaching, and collaboration, he continues to represent Riverside and the Inland Empire within the global breaking community. Rather than measuring success solely through titles, his legacy is shaped by influence, longevity, and commitment to passing knowledge forward.