Fact: most b-boys and b-girls like to win. As an element of hip-hop, competition and battling are part of the DNA of b-boying.

Another fact: most b-boys and b-girls are, to some degree, obsessed with shoes. As an artform that requires constant stepping and bouncing while looking “fresh,” shoes are significant both practically and aesthetically.

So if there were a jam that required the finalists to gamble their shoes, some might call it crazy. Or risky. Or intimidating.

Quic just calls it Skill4Sole.

“[The original b-boys] had a great time just having fun, but when came to competing, they took it very seriously,” says Quic, a member of the Mighty Zulu Kingz and the president of the ATL Funk Lordz. “There wasn’t sponsorships or held events. Their moves were their moves. The way you move and the way you walk is your character. When cats take it personal, they’re willing to bet that their skill is better than anybody else’s, and they’re willing to put up whatever it takes.”

He compares it to the tradition of the dancers who would battle for their opponents’ colors.

“I want them to go home and practice hard so they don’t have to lose their shoes,” Quic explains. “To me, that’s our job. It’s an aggressive dance. If we don’t take it seriously, all we’re gonna be is the stuff you see on TV.”

It’s all part of the 7-year anniversary of the Funk Lordz, beginning tomorrow and continuing until Sunday, March 8.

The Funk Lordz is a street culture crew with 25 members that was originally founded in 2002. “Funk” represents the presence of rhythm and soul, while “Lordz” indicates that each member is a leader and a creator of his or her own style.

“As a Zulu, I’m really heavy on numbers,” Quic says. “Seven, to us, is the God hour. To me, seven is equivalent to the lord. It’s a celebration for all the Funk Lordz.”

The celebration will include a fashion show, workshops with Alien Ness and Aqua Boogy, a block party, and the two-on-two b-boy competition, which awards the winners with $1,000—and their opponents’ shoes.

“I always want to make sure we get something out of [the jam] other than a bit of money,” Quic says.

And he’s not just talking about the shoes.

Click here for more information about Skill4Sole.