Ariah Tsukada-Aka: Little Babywockee

(Photo by Angel Aka, courtesy Aka)

Ariah Tsukada-Aka has known she wanted to join the Jabbawockeez since she was 3, when she first saw the group on “America’s Best Dance Crew” Season 1. She began studying their YouTube videos and experimenting with their movement style. At 5, she got her big break: Crew member Kevin Brewer invited her to perform on the “ABDC” Season 6 finale after meeting her at Tunay Ink Dance Studios in Las Vegas, NV. Brewer was taken by Ariah’s ability to mimic the Jabbawockeez’ signature style of popping, and Ariah became known as Little Babywockee. Now 9, she’s kept the hip-hop dream alive, training on her own in California—with occasional lessons from Brewer, Popping John, Poreotics’ Dumbo and Kaba Modern’s Mike Song—and battling it out across L.A. and Las Vegas.

“At the end of my first performance with the Jabbawockeez on ‘ABDC,’ it was so exciting to take off my mask and show the world I was a part of the crew.”

Fast Facts

Birthday
: May 5, 2005

Hometown
: “I’m from Honolulu, but now I live in Orange County.”

What she’s listening to right now
: “Timber,” by Kesha

Favorite food
: chicken wings

Hidden talent
: “I beat-box and rap.”

Performer she’d love to work with
: Justin Bieber

Pre-show routine
: “I jump up and down with my parents and eat chocolate to get excited!”

Favorite hip-hop styles
: Popping, robotics, krumping, isolations, house dance and locking