Shadow Puppetz represents at Lords of the Land V and Sid Tucky faces Rift in popping finals

This month, Shadow Puppetz returned to Cleveland for the fifth anniversary and final edition of Lords of the Land, 10K Movement’s International Hip Hop and Street Dance Festival. Since its inception, we have showed up to compete and support–but over time, that presence has evolved into a lasting and collaborative partnership.

What began as participation in the battles gradually deepened into something more creative and reciprocal. Alex “Prototype” Malblance began designing the festival’s trophies, and we started vending Shadow Puppetz merchandise at the event. Our partnership with 10K Movement is now rooted in shared values, mutual trust, and a collective investment in the future of Midwest street dance.

This year’s popping battle showcased that growth. Sid Tucky advanced all the way to the finals for the second year in a row, going head-to-head with Rishi “Rift” Desai. Rio McFly made it into the top eight, while both Prototype and Tatiana “Tanya” Armendariz placed in the top 16–competing among a pool of more than 50 dancers. We were just as proud to see Shadow Puppetz students and community members like Steve “Bearly Normal” Discont, Jingwen “JZ” Zhang, and Mynk “Mynkachu” Richardson make the journey to Cleveland, stepping into the battles and representing the Chicago dance community.

Our connection with 10K Movement has continued to grow beyond Lords of the Land. Earlier this year, we collaborated with them for the Crobar Circuit Popping Battle, and in May, 10K Movement’s founder Samuel “Sammy Mac” McIntosh joined us in Chicago as a featured judge and workshop instructor for Out of the Shadows Vol. IV. These kinds of exchanges help lay the groundwork for a stronger, more connected Midwest dance ecosystem–one where dancers uplift each other across city and state lines.

As Lords of the Land closes its final chapter, we feel deep gratitude–for the space it held, the relationships it nurtured, and the future it helped shape. We are excited to see what 10K Movement builds next, and we’re honored to continue growing alongside them.