MC Mario Bee will be one of the MCs at the FUJIFILM Instax Undisputed Breaking World Championship when it hits Cape Town on 6 December 2025. We caught up with him to chat about how he got started as an MC, the local Cape Town crowd and what first-time attendees can expect from FUJIFILM Instax Undisputed.
MC Mario Bee, welcome back to SA! A breaking event such as FUJIFILM Instax Undisputed is dependent on a number of things, including quality breaking, awesome tunes from the DJs, and, of course, MCing to turn up the hype to 11. How do you read the crowd to see what the event needs?
First of all, it’s a pleasure and an honour to be in Cape Town for the second time in one year.
As an MC who travels all around the world, I love outdoor events. And this location, plus the weather, is perfect. That already gives the event a glow.
The Cape Town crowd is excited to see something new, with Undisputed an international event with dancers from everywhere. It’s also a mixed crowd: young, adult, all colours of the rainbow. And because it’s close to Christmas, there’s also a lot of tourism, so the energy is already there.
We have the dancers, the DJs, and then the MC who gives it the extra sauce. South Africans love music and dance, and they express themselves loudly and proudly. So even though it’s our job, reading this type of crowd is easy. I’ve already had people asking what’s going to happen on Saturday, so I can already feel the hype building.
When I hold the mic, I’m in my zone. My name is Mario, but with the mic I become the character Mario Bee. I read the crowd, I give energy, and I receive it back. With the dancers and DJs, it’s a full package. It’s not about me – it’s about the competitors.
Tell us about your journey into MCing?
That was a long time ago. I actually started as a b-boy. Me and Tyron, who ran our b-boy crew in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, would always complain about the DJs and the MCs, “This could be better, that could be better.”
Then one day he said, “Let’s organise our own event. We need judges, a DJ, and an MC.” Tyrone was a DJ at the time, and I wasn’t really an MC, but I can talk a lot, and I can engage people! So I said, “You know what? Let me try.”
We did our own events, and then people started asking me to host theirs. It grew from there. And now I’ve been doing this for almost 25 years!
I’ve hosted big events, including the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in 2018, and worked with major brands. Now, with FUJIFILM Instax Undisputed, I travel all around the world sharing this energy. It’s a blessing.
Last time I was here, I hosted with MC Mel. The chemistry was amazing. She’s so professional, and I told her she’s one of the best I’ve worked with. We learn from each other.
So, that’s how I started – just an idea that grew.
For those attending a breaking event for the first time, what can they expect from FUJIFILM Instax Undisputed?
They are going to see the best b-boys and b-girls from across the globe dancing and battling on stage – that’s a lot of action. Great music, difficult movements, big battles. And also respect.
People who don’t know the b-boy community often say, “I loved the dancing, but what I loved most was how they show respect at the end.”
For me, that’s normal, I’ve lived in this culture. But new spectators find it magical. What we do is a good example for world leaders: all colours, shapes, and styles together on one stage, celebrating passion, love and respect! Even if the battle gets heated, at the end of the day we are one big family.
Saturday’s going to be crazy. We start with the qualifier at 13:00, but honestly the qualifier already feels like a final because of the energy. And when we reach the actual final, it’s going to be all out, so the crowd will be going crazy.
You are also an organiser for The Notorious IBE in the Netherlands, an important stop on the Instax Undisputed calendar. What is the IBE, and why is it notorious?
The Notorious IBE is a three-day festival. It started as the International Breaking Event – IBE. After five years we changed it to The Notorious IBE because it grew into much more than just breaking.
We host masterclasses, workshops, Q&As, debates, theatre, music, dance and film premieres. It’s like a full festival for hip hop; both insiders and outsiders can find their place at IBE, and that’s why it’s “Notorious”. FUJIFILM Instax Undisputed is one of the highlight events at IBE.
Where is the best crowd?
That’s always a tricky question! Every crowd is good in its own way.
However, outdoor events have a special advantage: people passing by can stop and join. You get more diversity. Indoor events are people who specifically bought tickets, so they often know the culture.
Here in Cape Town, because it’s outdoors and the weather is great, I feel more interaction. As an international MC, I try to reach everybody. I can’t speak too much in B-boy language – I have to keep it simple so anyone passing by can understand what’s happening.
The reactions from people who are not part of the community are amazing. Last time, the crowd energy was so crazy that we made a video just of their reactions!
So yes, Cape Town is definitely one of the best crowds!
What are you looking forward to most on your visit to South Africa this time around?
Besides the event? The weather, since Europe is cold now! And of course, seeing the friends I made here last time.
We also want to push the event even further. Last time was great, but coming back for a second time is a blessing, so we want to level up.
It’s a special season, close to Christmas, and I can already see more people in the city. I’m excited for the event, the safari we are going on, and the DJ school where I will be meeting producers since I also run a producer programe at IBE. I’m hoping we can make some good connections.
Honestly, I’m just happy to be here. It’s an honour, and it’s a beautiful place.
Follow MC Mario Bee on Instagram.
FUJIFILM Instax Undisputed World Championship event information
– Date: Saturday, 6 December 2025
– Location: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
– Schedule:
• Open Qualifier starts at 13:00
• Main Event starts at 18:30
– Admission: Free entry | All ages welcome.
