Old School Scholar

During the mid 1980s when B-Boying was being commercially pimped, the world was exposed to the legendary New York City Breakers and The Rock Steady Crew. Unknowingly, these two B-Boy crews were internationally evangelized Hip Hop’s dance form and culture, and thanks to the international community B-Boying never died. If you were really paying attention to Hip Hop culture on the outside looking in, the international community is who is saving it now.

Below are two videos from the early American mainstream days of B-Boying when it was packed, branded, and sold as Break Dancing. The first one is with Broadway icon and humanitarian, Ben Vereen performing with The New York City Breakers in 1984. I do not really know what the name of this television special was called, however the act was a covertune to Lionel Richie’s All Night Long. You can tell Ben Vereen was digging the B-Boy experience being that he is a world-class entertainer.

The second video, was performed by Ken Swift and Crazy Leggs for Late Night with David Letterman in 1983. These two pioneers were on the show to promote the movie Flashdance due to the hype that was generated from the infamous umbrella scene.  This video is a definite old school Rock Steady Crew highlight laced with classic break beats.

The third video is from a 2007 taping of Dancing With The Stars featuring The Rock Steady Crew with Mr. Wiggles and Crazy Legs. This video is added because it is a sign that B-Boying is creeping back into mainstream America in a different light. With The Rock Steady Crew’s performance, movies like Planet B-Boy, and the masses of B-Boys competing in the hit show So You Think You Can Dance, B-Boying is now being respected as an artform.

Let’s just hope we never have to see another wave of break dancing novelty shows, ads, and wack movies starring Lorenzo Lamas.

BREAKIN-NYC BREAKERS-BEN VEREEN posted by DJCDOG

ROCK STEADY CREW-LETTERMAN posted by DJCDOG

Rock Steady Crew DWTS posted by rsczulu aka Crazy Legs