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Clive Campbell otherwise known as "DJ KOOL HERC" was born in Kingston Jamaica, and would eventually be known as the father of hip hop culture. "Vaughn Bode" creates "Cheech Wizard Character" that becomes famous with writers all over the world. This is a section of a paragraph taken from: "The evolution of rap music in the United States by Henry A. Rhodes", with references to: Steven Haver in his book, "Hip Hop; the Illustrated History of Break Dancing, Rap Music, and Graffiti,". In 1959 Parks Commissioner Rober Moses began building an expressway through the heart of the Bronx. As a result, the middle class Italian, German, Irish, and Jewish neighborhoods disappeared overnight. In addition, business and factories relocated and left the borough. This exiting middle class and businesses were replaced by black and hispanic families. Accompanying these people were crime, drug addiction, and unemployment. "James Brown" records the "Live At the Apollo (LP)" that features a drummer named "Clayton Fillyau". Clayton drum sound on this record, influences the new drum known today by hip hopers as the "Break Beat". Around this time brothers like Cornbread out of Philadelphia were starting the writing/graffiti movement. Kool Herc migrates to the Bronx from Jamaica at age 12. He would eventually attend Alfred E Smith High School, and because of his size and the fact that he worked out a lot, kids would refer to him as Hercules, and eventually he would become a writer and change his name to Kool Herc. Oakland Native "Iron Man" performs on local "Jay Payton" TV show. His style was considered a combination of the James Brown skate with elements of Pantomine, which would later be the foregrounds to many of the funk style dances. Around this time a gang by the name of Savage Seven would hit the streets of the east bronx and eventually become The Black Spades, then the organization, and ultimately the Zulu Nation. October 129th "James Brown" records a bboy anthem "Give it up orn turn it loose" with "Nate Jones" on the drums. Around this time a brother by the name of "Rubber Band" along with another brother by the name of "Apache", both from brooklyn, took a popular New York City gang dance and brought it to the NYC discos and thus was born the dance we would today as "UPROCKIN", "ROCKIN", and because of how brooklyn would master the dance, we would later call it "THE BROOKLYN ROCK". The Last Poets put out the first self titled album on Douglas Records. They eventually make and impact on hip hop culture. DON CAMPBELLOCK a trade technical college student accidently stumbles across creating a dance called "CAMBELLOCKING" which will eventually be featured on Soul Train and take the world by storm. Around this time in Oakland California groups like THE BLACK MESSENGERS" and THE BALCK RESURGENCE were developing an innovating a style of dance baed on R.O.T.C. DRILLS TO MUSIC, they would also create a style called CATCH ON that would further advance their style of routines. These are the more ground works to STICKIN, STEPIN, and many others forms of funk dance. "Aretha Franklin" records the famous bboy song "Rock Steady" with "Bernard Purdie" on drums. Around this time a young Greek kid got inspired by seeing "Julio 205" Tag, then he decided to put his nick name next to a 183 Street sign and thus was born the famous "Taki 183". May 9th "James Brown" records a song that was link to bboying "Get on the Good Foot" with drummer "John Starks." Jimmy Castor Bunch release a bboy anthem "It's Just Begun." Eva62, Harry89, Junior161, Cay161, and Cc10 painted what is probably the biggest paintings to date on a broadway line subway station. The SOul Artists came into the Ghetto Fame Tracy 158, Futura 2000 and Ali. Hugo Martinez starts United Graffiti Artists. Tracy 168 the inventor of the world "Wild Style" starts a major writing crew called "Wanted". The Black Messengers perform on the "Going Show". But because of the contraversy over their name, they were not allowed to perfromunder the alias "Mechanical Devices". Soul Train takes off on TV. "DJ Kool Herc's first Jam 1520 Sedwick Ave, Bronx, NYC. It would be for his sisters birthday party. His style of music was made to get the crowd jumping, he did that by buying two copies of each record and elongating the break part (the funky drum solo section) of the record by mixing in both records before the break would end. Thus was born what we called today Break Beats. The Zulu Nation was founded by a young student in Stevenson High School, in the bronx named "Afrika Bambaata" original a bboy crew called the "Zulu Kings". Around this time young dancers would hit the partis that Kool Herc was playing at and the music that Herc played inspired these young cats to do moves that would lay the foundation for hip hop dance. Herc seeing these young dancers would eventually call them "bboys" (as well as people who would show up to Jams and break shit up). They would later be interpreted as break boys, beat boys, or bronx boys. Such notable dancers were Klark Kent, The Nigga Twins, Sau Sau, Tricksie, James Bond, The Amazing Bobo, El Dorado Mike, and many others. Somewhere during this era a legendary battle takes place between two of the top bboys of all time Sau Sau vs. Tricksie. The outcome was said to be Sau Sau winning in a great battle. July 17th "James Brown" records the song that became the foundation for drum with "Allan Schwartzberg" on the drums. Around this time one of hip hop's all time DJ/MC's "love Bug Starski" started making references to this culture using the words "Hip Hop". According to legends like "Bambatta", Starski is one of the people responsible for the word hip hop as a slang and a name for this culture. NYC's MTA fights back against writing by starting a war on graffiti. Michael Jackson does his famous robot to "Dancing Machine". Herc gets a job DJing at the club he was after. The "Hevalo Club" in the bronx. Around this time Herc would get a brotha by the name of Coke La Rock to say crowd pleaser rhymes on the mic which would then lay the foundation for MC'in or later known as rap. "DJ Grand Wizard Theodore" invents the scratch while trying to hold a record in place while his mother yelling at him. The needle was still on the record s it made that shiga shiga sound which he later on turned into the scratch. Graff cult hero, and underground comic book, legend "Vaughn Bode" dies, but his legend will live with graffiti writers for eternity. The Mercedes ladies founded, they would pave the way for female MC's Baby D, Sherri-Sher, RD Smiley, Zina Zee, DJ LaSpank, Eve-a-Def. DJ Afrika Bambaataa plays at the bronx river center. TDK, TBB, and Rockwell vs. Starchild La Rock (featuring trac2, Spy, and JoJo) which help JoJo and Spy's pattented shoe shine rutene, Star child took the battle. The Cash Crew was formed in Harlem New York. DJ Kool Herc was nearly stabbed to death at one of his parties. Kraftwerk a germanband relseases the famed song Tran Europe Express which would later be the foundation for Afrika Bambaataa's electro funk sound. The Transit authority starts a major buff in a Coney Island train yard witch would cost them $400.000.00 anually. They used a chemical mix of petroleum hydroxide, which was refereed to as orange crush by writers (named after agent orange, which was used in the vietnam war). The Rock Steady Crew was formed by original members "JOJO", "JIMMY DEE". Around this time a pioneering group from which a brotha by the name of "BOOGALOO SAM" (who created a dance called poppin as we know it today with it's roots in the west coast funk styles that came before them). Along with members Tickin Will, Scarecrow, Scally, Creepin Cid, Popin Pete, Twisti Flex Don, Puppoet Boozer, Robot Dane, Skeeter Rabbit, and many others, they formed the group name "Electric Boogaloos" The Disco Fever open it's doors and becomes a popular hip hop club in the bronx. "Breakin/bboying" begins to die down in the bronx and Manhattan ghettos. Around this time "The Electric Boogaloos" would do a performance on "Soul Train" that would explode all over the world, where even young Michael Jackson would even ask them to teach him. Grand Master Flash forms one of the greatest MC crews of all time "Grand Master Flash Flash and the Furious Five MC's." Another one of the greatest MC groups of all time was formed by the name of "The Cold Crush Four". "Mark Bode" (the son of legendary artist "Vaughn Bode") starts working at age 15 for heavy metal magazine and continues his dad legacy. He also stays connected with the graffiti world that embraced his father as well as his own work. A young Crazy Legs and his cousin Lenny Len battle Jimmy Dee (The original president of ROck Steady Crew) and Jimmy Lee to get into ROck Steady. They lost but made it in the crew. At this time bboying/breakin is considered played out, but not for too long. Saturday November 15, Jam at Ecstasy garage featuring GW The Adore, Fantastic 5, Kool DJ AJ, Buzy Bee Starski, Mean Gene, Fantast 4, Erotic Disco Brothas, and many more. Zapp releases a funk anthem for poppers in the West Coast "More Bounce to the Ounce". The Punk group Blondie released the record "Rapture" which featured lead singer Debbie Harry doing what she considered rap. (The New York Post Reports) the High Times Crew was arrested for bboyin in a washington Heights Train Station. The Talking Heads utilize the skills of one of the greatest poppers of all time "Popin Pete" in one of the first music videos to feature a funk style dancer. Funky 4 plus one more make the first national TV appearance on NBC's Saturday Night Live. "Cold Crush 4" vs "Fantastic 5" at Harlem world with fantastic winning a close and controversial battle. NOC painted the famous "Style Wars" top to bottom whole car. An art gallery called "Fashion Moda" was up and running exhibits on 3rd ave. in the bronx. The famous battle Rock Steady Crew - VS - Dynamic Rockers at Lincoln Center, which was covered by "National Geographic". This battle helped bring bboyin to the mainstream. ABC 20/20 produces an episode that takes a look at this new cultural phenomenon now named hip hop culture by Afrika Bambaata. Charlie Ahearn filmed Wild Style the movie that featured hip hop in it's purest form. "Kool Moe Dee" battles and humiliates "Buzy Bee" and becomes one of the most famous old school battles of all time. In May Afrika Bambaata and the Soul Sonice Force (MC Globe, POWWOW, and Mr. Biggs) release the famous record "Planet Rock" on the Tommy Boy Label, replacing the more traditional break beat era with the kraftwork style music mixed with hip hop called "Electro Funk". Print magazine features a spread on Henry Chaufaunts pictures. Rock Steady performs in the original night club "The Ritz" along with Bow Wow Wow, and Afrika Bambaata and the Jazzy 5, on this night RSC also became part of the Zulu Kings. Rock Steady crew also performed in the famous "Studio54" for the famed artist "Anonio Lopez". Ken Swift and Crazy Legs get into an argument at Rock Steady Park, and battle it out on the concrete in the middle of the half court. Ken Swift impresses the onlookers which include members of Salsoul, and some Rock Steady. Rock Steady Crew split up into two groups, one half went on to film the famous scenes from the movie Flash Dance. The other half went to film scenes in a movie called "Portfolio" featuring the world renown Puerto Rican Artist "Antonio Lopez" that was later shelved. Sugar pop from the "Electric Boogaloo" visits New York hook up with Mr. Freeze, Mr. Wiggles, Fabel, Powerful Pex, Flip Rock, and Lil Lep. From there the cross collaborations between east and west coast dance begins. In Wiggle's hallway in the bronx they begin to trade information and dance styles, and taught sugar pop original bboy styles thus making him the first west coast bboy and the first person to bring bboyin to Cali. The "Wild Style Tour" takes off for Japan featuring Cold Crush Four, Rock Steady Crew, and many others. The Fabulous Funk Fanatics present "Bronx High School Rockathon Jam". "Grand Mixer DST" lends his skills to legendary musician Herbie Handcock to record the top hit "Rockit". The Sons of Bambatta starts his own hip hop radio show based on original break beats and raw mixes called "Zulu Beats" on WHBI. DJ Africa Islam wins new music seminar DJ battle. Style Wars aired on PBS. A documentary that focused on writers of that period. Writers like: Min, Cap, Mare 149, Skeme, seen anc many others. The film also featured footage from a battle between Rock Steady and Dynamic Rockers. Mr Wiggles and his friend witness the police beating of graffiti writer Michael Stewart who later died in the hospital. "We were coming out the underground night club and saw the police beating him and he was screaming loud so the police beat hime more, we walked by stoped and Willie said wait a minute this ain't right, but the polic cut him off and said get the fuck out of here or we will do this to you. So we left. The next thing we know the news was splattered with the murder of Michael Stewart. Willie tried to call the news and stuff, but they claimed they already had enough witnesses." Rock Steady Crew featured in the movie Flash Dance and in the famous video Buffalo Gals. Gladys Knight and the pips feature top bboy crew New York City Breakers in their video Save The Over Time For Me. Crazy Legs (Rock Steady Crew) battles "Lil Rep (New York City Breakers) in the club in the Bronx. Legs sends someone from his camp over to Lep and says Legs wants to battle you, Lep agrees, they both go at it move for move. Then Lep throws a one shot heads spin, Legs answered back with one shot of his own, then before Lep can put his wrist to band up to do a 1990, Legs throws it first. Boogaloo Shrimp (Turbo), Pop n Taco, and Shabadoo (Ozone) arrived in NYC on tour with Lionel Richie and hook up with Mr. Wiggles, Fabel, and Pex. The movie "Beat Street" came out and featured Rock Steady Crew, Magnificant Force, New York City Breakers, Shango, Kool Herc, Treacherous 3, Dougie Fresh, and many other legensds. The movie Breakin was released which featured an all West Coast line up. As soon as "Beat Street" and "Breakin" were released and major tours began all over the world. It was in France that the Beat Street tour finally clashed with the Breakin tour. Chaka Khan featured Boogaloo Shrimp, Shabadoo, and Pop n Taco in her hit video "I feel for You." Fast Break (Magnificant Force) battles Crazy Legs (RSC) during the filming of the battle scene from the movie Beat Street. They get into a short, but heated battle with both throwing a lot of footwork, Fast Break does some top rock and then yells "combinations for the nations Crazy Legs" and jumps into a classic fast break run. Crazy Legs answers back with an amazing run of his own, then Ivey Ice jumps in a throws some power combinations and the cypher ends. Ken Swift (RSC) battles Action (NYC Breakers) during the Beat Street tour in France. Ken Swift starts to put it on Action, and Action goes in his bag and pulls out a motorcycle helmit and does head spins. This was the first time "helmit" were used in a battle. The eventually turns into a crew scenerioand ends in a debate about the helmit. Incredible Breakers takes it to Ken Swift at the Roxy. Ken being by himself that day throws his funky footworks combos and freezes. The word on the streets is Incredible was too ill with the power flava. DJ Easy G Rockwell (NYC) wins new music seminar DJ battle MC Buzy Bee (NYC) wins the new music seminar MC battle. Icey Ice battle the young up and coming bboy Freddie Fresh. Freddy had studied Ice's style and took his moves to the next level, the battle was heated with Freddie doin an Icey Ice move and saying "I beat you with your own moves" over all the battle was said to have been won by Freddie Fresh. DJ Jazzy Jeff (Philly) wins new music seminar DJ battle MC Grand Master Caz (NYC) wins the new music seminar MC battle. DJ Cheese (US) wins the world technics DMC DJ competition. Orco (LA) battles German(Bronx). Two of the worlds best power mover colide at the club "Devils Nest" in the bronx. It turns into a head spin battle with Orco beating German. First OG hip hop dancer to accomplish a broadway show. Mr. Wiggles and Steve Glavin were among the first two dancers to chieve this in the Tony award winning show, "Mystery of Edwin Drood". Wiggles would go on to perform in two more broadway shows. "Chess", and "Largely New York". The album "Criminal Minded" hits the street and put Boogie Down Productions on the map. The album is now considered one of the greatest hip hop records of all time. Scott LA Rock and KRS One make up the group. Scott LA Rock is killed in a violent murdr in the Bronx and a legend is created. The Kool Moe Dee vs LL Cool J battle on wax begins with Moe Dee's "How ya like me now", and then LL's "Jack the Ripper". Moe Dee then hit him with a classic rebuttal "Lets Go". The would carry on until they finally met at a concert in St. Lous. DJ Cash Money (Philly) wins new music seminar DJ battle MC Grand Master Melle Mel (NYC) wins the new music seminar MC battle. CJ Chad Jackson (UK) wins the world technics DMC DJ competition. Kool Moe Dee finally catches LL Cool J at a concert in St. Louis and puts a spot light on all and challanged him to battle on stage. LL would refuse, so Moe Dee went into the famous rhyme breaking done the letters "LL" and slammed the mic on the floor in victory. DJ Scratch(NYC) wins new music seminar DJ battle MC Mickey D(NYC) wins the new music seminar MC battle. DJ Cash Money (US) wins the world technics DMC DJ competition. One of hip hop's greatest MC's pass away "MC cowboy" from the furious Five MC's. DJ Miz (Philly) wins new music seminar DJ battle MC Freshco (Philly) wins the new music seminar MC battle. DJ Cutmaster Swift (UK) wins the world technics DMC DJ competition. DJ Steve D (NYC) wins new music seminar DJ battle MC Kid Jazz (NYC) wins the new music seminar MC battle. DJ David (Germany) wins the world technics DMC DJ compettion. "Battle of the Year's" first event originally titled "The International Breakdance Cup" featured performances by: TDB (Germany/UK), Crazy Force Crew (Switzerland), City Rockers (Germany). A bboy crew formed Europe "Battle Squad" comes to NYC to seek out old school dancers that inspired them. Storm, Next One, Amilio, Swift Rock, and bgirl Muchela make a major impact on NYC bboys and are credited for helping to preserve the dance forms in Europe as well as taking power moves to a higher level. "Source Magazine" throws the "Wild Style '91 Jam" featured Cold Crush Four, Rock Steady Crew, KRS one, Poor Righteous Teachers, and Ultra Magnetic MC's. DJ David (Germany) wins the world technics DMC DJ competition. Jimmy Castor invites the Rock Steady Crew to perform with him at club S.O.B. to live version of a bboy anthem "Its Just Begun". Crazy Legs, Ken Swift, Buck 4, Mr. Wiggles, and Fabel danced on this night. It would be Buck 4's last performance. The turtle master bboy "Buck 4" passes away. The award winning dance documentary "Everybody Dance Now" airs nation wide on PBS which features "Crazy Legs and Mr. Wiggles" of the Rock Steady Crew helping to trigger the re emergence of original hip hop dance. The "Rock Steady Crew" and the "Rhythm Technicians" perform the play titled "So What Happens Now?" at performance Space 122. A piece inspired by the death of famed bboy "Buck 4". This show would eventually lead them to forming the group "Ghettooriginal". "Battle of the year" has their first battle with winners being: Battle Squad from Germany. DJ Mix Master Mike wins new music seminar DJ battle. Rock Steady DJ's win the world technics DMC DJ competition. The Rock Steady Crew and Rhythm Technicians would perform in the Kennedy Center Honours, honoring none other than the "Nicholas Brothers", they recieved a standing ovation led by Gregory Hines, and wre secretly taken back to a close room by the request of "Gene Kelly" just so he can personally meet them. A tribe Called Quest put out their third LP featuring a who is who in hip hop cover. An old school meets the present school collaboration in which Rock Steady Crew also participated. DJ 8 Ball (F) wins the new music seminar DJ battle MC Supernatural (NYC) wins the music seminar battle. The Dream Team (Rock Steady DJ's) wins the World Technics DMC DJ competition. "Battle of the Year" winners are: Rocksteady Crew (UK Chapter). Dizzy Lee....1993 Battle of the Year Champions. DJ Noise wins new music seminar battle Judgemental (Chicago) wins the new music seminar MC battle. The first "BBOY SUMMIT" was produced on August 31'st in attendance was Rock Steady Crew, and Air Force. The bboy Summit will become a top annual event for hip hopers all over the world to gather. |