217 - Ana Rokafella Garcia – Hip-Hop’s Evolution, Representation, and Staying Authentic

In episode 217, host Galit Friedlander and guest Ana Rokafella Garcia (legendary b-girl, co-founder of Full Circle Productions, choreographer, filmmaker, and adjunct professor at The New School), dive into the history, evolution, and impact of hip-hop. From growing up in New York City during the fires, crack epidemic, and AIDS crisis to discovering her voice in cyphers and clubs, Rokafella shares how dance carved out a future for her. She reflects on commercialization, gender dynamics, and visibility in the scene, while urging today’s dancers to stay grounded in the culture’s foundations. The conversation also touches on breaking at the Olympics, the tension between competition and community, and why hip-hop’s resilience continues to guide her work. Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ On-Demand Fitness Courses - https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/collections Follow Rokafella: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/larokafella Website - https://larokasoul.com/ Full Circle: https://www.instagram.com/fullcirclesouljahs Behind the Groove: https://www.instagram.com/behindthegroovenyc/ All the Ladies Say: https://www.instagram.com/alltheladiessay Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.