Out of the Shadows Vol. IV Recap: Dallas takes the stage
Rishi “Rift” Desai has shown up to Out of the Shadows every year since it started. At first, it was just about the competition—testing himself, earning respect, and seeing how far he could go. But this year, everything came together. Backed by his hometown crew Flow Roots and a room full of support, Rift walked away with both the 1v1 and 3v3 titles.
The moment hit different—not just because of the wins, but because of who he shared them with. “Shadowz and MJG were the ones who took me to my first out-of-town events,” Rift said. “I was in the backseat, watching them battle. To be on the same stage with them now, and take a win together—that’s something really special.”
This kind of full-circle moment wasn’t limited to Rift. Across the weekend, dancers pushed themselves and held each other down. Families showed up to support. Crews brought their chemistry and preparation to the floor. The crowd stayed present and engaged through every round.
In the 3v3 finals, Flow Roots (Dallas, TX) faced off against The Architects (Montreal, Canada) in a hard-fought, emotional matchup. After back-to-back wins in previous years, The Architects returned to the finals with presence and focus, but this time, the win went to Flow Roots.
It was a meaningful exchange between two respected crews—one marking a new chapter, and the other continuing to shape the legacy of this event through consistency, connection, and care.
A conversation with rift
You’ve been part of Out of the Shadows since the beginning. What keeps bringing you back?
At first, it was all about the competition—I wanted to prove myself year after year. But over time, that shifted. Now, it’s the people and the relationships I’ve built here that keep me coming back. It’s become a community I really care about.
This year, you took home both titles. What was going through your mind during the battles?
I felt empowered, especially being surrounded by my tribe. Dallas rolled deep this year, and there’s something different about dancing when your whole village is behind you. It gave me a sense of pride and strength I carried into every round.
How did it feel to win with your crew in the 3v3?
It felt surreal. Shadowz and MJG were the ones driving me to events when I was just starting out. To now share that moment with them—it’s unreal. I think our creativity and chemistry really came through.
What does this win mean to you personally?
It’s hard to put into words. Wins come and go, but this one hit different because I got to share it with my tribe. That made it unforgettable.
How has Out of the Shadows shaped your journey as a dancer?
This is one of those events people look forward to all year. The energy here pushes you to level up. Every year, I learn something new. It’s made me more focused and intentional.
What’s next?
Right now, I’m trying to keep my 365 challenge going—just dancing every day, staying consistent. That’s really the goal: keep learning, keep growing, and keep enjoying it.
Out of the Shadows Vol. IV may be over, but the momentum, relationships, and lessons carry forward. If you joined us this year, we hope you’ll take a moment to revisit, reflect, and share your feedback.
You can watch full battle footage on our YouTube channel, download event photos here, and fill out our post-event survey to help us continue to improve.
Thank you to everyone who shaped this year’s event—and to Rift, for reminding us what it means when personal milestones are shared ones, and what becomes possible when community is part of the process.