Alexander “El Niño” Diaz

Assistant Professor

Affiliated Departments

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Alex Diaz, a.k.a. B-boy El Niño, is a world champion B-boy with over 30 years of experience teaching, competing, and judging worldwide. His work spans multiple realms, including film, live performance, and global competition. El Niño has appeared in Step Up 3D and In the Heights, and has performed and toured with artists such as Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, and Run-DMC. His style and accomplishments earned him a spot among an elite group of athletes representing Red Bull. In 2022, he became a member of Team USA as an Olympic hopeful for the Paris 2024 games. Grounded in community, his mission is to continue excelling while giving back—using breaking to empower and inspire the next generation of inner-city youth.

Career Highlights

Five-time Freestyle Session World Champion
Red Bull BC One Nationals Champion, 2010
Outbreak Undisputed Champion, 2016
Battle in Shanghai Champion, 2017

Awards

Berklee Africana Studies Hip-Hop Hall of Fame, 2024
“El Niño Day” proclamation, City of Boston
Rock Steady Spy Award, 2009
B-boy Spot, B-boy of the Year, 2011

In Their Own Words

I was immersed in hip-hop dance and culture from the age of five, growing up in a family of DJs, MCs, graffiti artists, and breakers. By 11, I had already become a world champion, and at 13, I embarked on my first world tour with Grammy Award–winning artist Missy Elliott. Experiencing success at such a young age taught me how to navigate the industry, while also instilling in me a deep appreciation for community and the responsibility to give back to the people and culture that shaped my path.