The Father of Hip Hop Kool DJ Herc

The Father of Hip Hop • Kool DJ Herc • Parties in his apt building 1520 Sedgwick Ave, Bronx • “Birthplace” of Hip Hop

The First B-Boys • • • Kool Herc parties – “The Break” of a record Break – the drum beat “Break” – going off, losing your mind People would dance to the break Break boys B-Boys

The First B-Boys • Spy, Jo. Jo, Beaver, The Legendary Twins (many more) • Undocumented in early years – word of mouth • Kool Herc bboys, Zulu Kingz

Foundation • Toprock - Indian step, crossover, truck driver - Entrance into circle – announcement • Footwork - Shuffles, swipes, sweeps, 6 -step - Flow – high energy • Freezes - Baby, chair, poses, bboy stance - Stop action • Air moves - Backspins, headspins, windmills - Flashy, crowd pleasers

Rock Steady Crew • Formed in 1977 – Bronx – Jo. Jo & Jimmy D • Crazy Legs – Manhattan • Other members: Ken Swift, Frosty Freeze (RIP), Buck 4 (RIP), Kuriaki (RIP), Mr Freeze (more) • Worldwide recognition – Movies, shows, etc

New York City Breakers • • • Originally “Floormasters” - Bronx Michael Holman – Manager Dynamic moves – More spins, power moves 1984 Olympics Mr Wave – Electric Boogie

Other NYC Crews • • Float Committee – Street Performers Dynamic Rockers – RSC rival – 1981 Lincoln Center Floorlords – Boston Many more

Commercial Boom • • “Breakdancing” - confusion Wild Style Beat Street Flashdance Style Wars (Graffiti) Breakin 1 & 2 (West Coast) 1983 -1987 Exploitation Era

West Coast Invasion • • • Breakin – Mix styles Radiotron LA City Breakers Air Force Crew – Lil Cesar Power move evolution West Coast Rock Steady (90 s)

Late 80 s • Bboying “died” - underground • New fads – New Jack Swing, BMX, etc • Life – new careers, crime, deaths, jail

Bboying in the 90 s - Europe • • • Storm & Swift Rock (Battle Squad) Maurizio, Evo, Tuff Tim Twist Battle of the Year (1990) – Annual event Breaking kept alive Storm & Swift in NYC - Kwikstep

Rock Steady Crew Reunion • Wild Style Reunion 1991 • Ghettoriginals & Jam on the Groove – tour • Annual event in NYC – attracted worldwide visitors • RSC chapters – Westcoast, Japan, UK, etc • 7 Gems

1995 -1999 - Resurgence • Breaking in music videos - Run DMC – It’s Like That • Internet – Forums, instructions, clips (rare) • VHS tapes – events, crews - trading

Bboy Summit • • Eternal 2 Creations – Asia One & Easy Roc California – worldwide appeal Mecca in North America for bboy events Popping & Locking resurgence

Freestyle Session • Cros 1 • Organized contests • Gained worldwide attention – grew each year

Memorable Crews • • • Style Elements (California) Soul Control/Rock Force (California) Skill Methodz (NYC/Florida) Boogie Brats (Toronto) Bag of Trix (Toronto)

Canadian Bboys • Canadian Floor Masters – Buddha (Ottawa) • Bag of Trix, Boogie Brats, Supernaturalz, Ground Illusionz, Intrikat, FAM, Albino Zebrahs, Stylordz (Toronto) • Flowrock, Tactical, Illmask, Sweet Technique, Fresh Format, Overev, 701, Area 51 (Montreal) • Original Rudes (Calgary) • Filthee Feet, Contents Under Pressure, NON (Vancouver) • Many more!

Bboying Today • Evolution over 40 years • Main foundations still present • Circles, battles, personal expression, community Challenges: - Disconnection from other elements - Competition - $ - killing originality - Easy access to resources – used well?

International Events • • • Red Bull BC One The IBE (Netherlands) Battle of the Year (Germany/France) UK Champs (London) R 16 (Korea) – government supported! 100 s of events annually worldwide!

Breaking in the Media • • • Internet: Bboyworld. com – Connected globally Facebook, Youtube – instantaneous Movies: Step Up, You Got Served TV: AMBDC, SYTYCD Cycles! History repeats itself! Bboys better at business, able to make a career (The LXD)

The Life of a Bboy • Documentaries • Planet Bboy, Inside The Circle, The Freshest Kids • Local: practices, friends, training • International: Hard work! Not just dancing (business, politics, strategies, ethics) In the end: It’s just you and the music!!!!!!

Bboy/Bgirl Fashion • “It isn’t what we wear, it’s how we rock it!” -Popmaster Fabel • Shoes, fat laces, denim jackets, mocknecks, kangol hats, cazals, • Precision, cleanliness, “fresh out the box” • Urban trendsetters

Hip Hop in the Theatre • • • Lockers/Electric Boogaloos 90 s - Ghettoriginals/RSC – Jam on the Groove Battle of the Year R 16 Cirque Du Soliel / Cirque Eloize