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'World of Dance' Semifinals: Angry fans say 'Brown culture just can't win' after judges send UPeepz home

The judges gave the dancers a measly score of 89, which not only put them at the bottom of the leaderboard but also meant that they wouldn't be performing in the finals

After finally earning a spot in the semi-finals round of 'World of Dance', UPeepz, the hip-hop dance group from the Philippines, was determined to give their all for this crucial performance. As opposed to their usual routine of just showing off their jaw-dropping hip-hop dance moves, the group decided to pay homage to their motherland by incorporating some of their cultural and traditional dance moves into their hip-hop routine. 

The dancers used two long bamboo poles as a prop in their dance. They manage to dance between the horizontally placed, and moving poles, without hurting themselves. While the dancers definitely achieved their goal of paying a beautiful tribute to their nation and culture, the judges were not impressed with the group's performance.

Jennifer Lopez and Ne-Yo pointed out that the group didn't have their usual high-energy levels, and even pointed out how their energy significantly dipped while they were dancing between the poles. But they did acknowledge and appreciate the group's efforts for incorporating their traditions into their dance routine. The judges gave the dancers a measly score of 89, which not only put them at the bottom of the leaderboard but also meant that they wouldn't be performing in the finals. 

After watching the way the judges reacted to UPeppz's performance and the harsh feedback given to them, fans began slamming the show and the judges. A fan tweeted, "Actually not being smashed by the bamboo while dancing tinikling with that bug energy is top notch. The judges apparently don't appreciate "non-white" culture tho. Probably not their best routine, but 89 is too low. #UPeepz #WorldofDance."

Another fan wrote, "The irony about the judges' comments saying the energy dipped during the cultural/tinikling portion of upeepz dance is that it actually takes a lot of skill & energy not getting your feet smashed by bamboo while dancing between them! Brown culture just can't win lol #WorldofDance."

"I have mix emotions rn im sad angry and disappointed upeepz deserves more! #Justiceforupeepz #worldofdance @JLo," expressed a disappointed fan.

"Upeepz was robbed tonight and deserved to be on the finals #worldofdance," shared another fan.

"Boo! UPeepz was underscored  #WorldOfDance," commented a fan.

'World of Dance' Season 4 airs every Tuesday at 10/9c only on NBC.