Suga Pop
Steven “Suga Pop” Daniells-Silva is a pioneering street dancer, choreographer, and music producer whose legacy is woven into the very fabric of urban dance history. As a rare dual-coast pioneer, he holds the distinction of being a member of both the legendary West Coast funk innovators, The Electric Boogaloos, and the iconic East Coast hip-hop pioneers, the Rock Steady Crew.
Born and raised in Watts, Los Angeles—the cradle of the original funk styles—Suga Pop began dancing at just five years old and was performing in professional shows by age nine. In the mid-1970s, inspired by Don Campbell and The Lockers, he mastered the art of Locking. As the decade progressed and funk evolved with electronic synthesizers and heavy handclaps, a new style emerged. After seeing The Electric Boogaloos debut on Soul Train, Suga Pop knew his calling. A chance meeting at the Playboy Club with Popping Pete and Skeeter Rabbit cemented his path; mentored directly by Pete, he officially joined the Electric Boogaloos family in 1977.
At age 15, a dance and acting role on Sesame Street brought him to New York City right as the concrete landscape was birthing a brand-new phenomenon: Hip-Hop. While dancing in Times Square, he connected with Crazy Legs, Fabel, and Mr. Freeze, officially joining the Rock Steady Crew. With RSC, he performed for cultural icons like Andy Warhol and Deborah Harry, placing himself at the epicenter of a global cultural movement.
By 18, Suga Pop transitioned into high-profile commercial work, touring and dancing in music videos with superstars like Shalamar, Lionel Richie, and Prince during the historic Purple Rain era. This exposure sparked a deep passion for music production. Mentored by legendary multi-platinum producer Joe "Da Butcher" Nicolo, Suga Pop’s musical journey culminated in 1992, when he and his band backed LL Cool J, De La Soul, and A Tribe Called Quest for MTV’s first-ever live Hip-Hop Unplugged special.
After returning to his dance roots in the late 90s alongside Mr. Wiggles, Suga Pop continues to be one of the most vital contributors to the international Street Dance community. Today, he travels the world teaching, judging, performing, and preserving the authentic history of Popping and Locking for future generations.
Suga Pop in the new movie Michael
In the biopic Michael, dance legacy came full circle. Suga Pop—an original dancer from the iconic 1983 "Beat It" music video—was featured in the film's rehearsal scene for the legendary video. Beyond his onscreen appearance, the street dance pioneer also worked behind the scenes, helping Jaafar Jackson master the precise techniques of popping and hitting during his intensive dance training for the role.