THE Phly Crew (pronounced fly) is no ordinary hip-hop group.Most of the members have a contemporary background and they met performing for children at Luna Park.Now they are on their way to Las Vegas to compete in the Hip Hop International Championships on July 31.

James Barry, 21, of Penshurst, was one of the first members. He said their style was different from many Australian crews. “We are more happy, quirky and comical on and off stage,” Mr Barry said.

“We feel our style is more Australian rather than an angry ghetto stereotype.”

The rest of the crew are Jeremy Gates, 19, of Oatley, Peter Armstrong, 21, of Penshurst, Brady Kitchingham, 20, of Castle Hill, Neale Whittaker, 21, of Barden Ridge, Ellen Witzlsperger, 27, of Glendenning, Katie Headrick, 22, of St Leonards and Steven Barnard, 27, of Bangor.

In between teaching dance classes, they rehearse every Sunday at Jannali to perfect their two-minute routine. They will join two other Australian crews after they all qualified at the preliminary competition in April.