Breaksploitation
Rock Steady Crew
• Founded in 1977 by Jojo and Jimmy D, revived in 1979 by Crazy Legs
• Prominent members:
– Crazy Legs, Frosty Freeze, Ken Swift, Doze, Mr. Freeze, Mr. Wiggles, Pop Master Fabel
• Help bring b-boyin' to Europe and Japan
• Wild Style (1982), Style Wars (1983), Flashdance (1983), Beat Street (1984)
• 1982, New York City Rap Tour in Paris / London
– Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmixer D.ST, graffiti artists Fab 5 Freddie and Futura 2000,
• So! What Happens Now?, 1991 (a musical)
RSC v. Dynamic Rockers
• August 1981, Lincoln Center
• Made the news and National Geographic
• Photographed by Martha Cooper
• First major national media coverage of the art form
Dynamic Rockers
• Dynamic Rockers also battled RSC in Style Wars
• Members eventually formed Dynamic Breakers
– Why the name change?
• One of the first to do choreography with “power moves”
– 4 of 5 original members were on high school gymnastics team
• Not considered “true” or authentic bboyin', but the media grabbed onto the spectacle of this style
• Featured on 1983 episode of That's Incredible
• Also put out some records
• Featured in: Delivery Boys, The Exterminator, The Last Dragon
Flashdance (1983)
• Opening scene of movie
• Gave global exposure to the dance in Hollywood film
• People started dancing all over US and Europe because of this scene
• Mr Freeze, Ken Swift, Crazy Legs and Frosty Freeze
David Letterman Show
• Legs and Ken Swift promote Flashdance
News Media
• 1984 in Madison, Wisconsin
• Supreme Rockers
• Fueled the media fire
“Buffalo Gals”
• By Malcolm McLaren feat. World Famous Supreme Team
– McLaren was a manager for the Sex Pistols
– Brought hip hop to UK
– Bambaattaa called him a “culture vulture”
• 1982
• Video features RSC
“(Hey You) The Rock Steady Crew”
• 1983, big hit in Europe
• 1984, “Uprock”
New York City Breakers
• Managed by Michael Holman
– Help produce Beat Street
• Originally the Floor Masters
• Graffiti Rock pilot, 1984
• Roxy Battle in Beat Street
• 1984 Presidential Inauguration Gala (in '85)
• 1984 on Soul Train
• Holman made breakdancing HUGE commercially; he was the Fab 5 Freddy of dancing
Beat Street (1984)
• Quasi musical; Hollywoodization of Wild Style
• Beat Street Breakers (New York City Breakers) vs. Bronx Breakers (Rock Steady Crew)
• Theme of incorporation
• Ramo v. Spit (Cap?)
• Roxy Battle
• Subway battle
• Kool Herc
1984 Olympics Closing Ceremony
• Breakers perform during Lionel Richie's “All Night”
• Cuba Gooding Jr. was in Majestic Vision Breakdancers who performed
Michael Jackson
Commercials
How To's
Break Dance (1984)
• Commodore 64
• Original Rhythm game
• Gameplay
B-Boy
• For PlayStation 2
• Developed by FreeStyleGames
– Also developed DJ Hero
Breakin' (1984)
• Based on:
– Radiotron
– Breakin' n Enterin' (1983)
• 1st Battle
• 2nd Battle
• Turbo “Broom Scene”
• Ice-T's first role
Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984)
• TKO crew vs. Electrorock
• The lure battle
• Led to sequel Rappin' (1985)
Delivery Boys (1985)
• Features Dynamic Breakers
• A group of pizza delivery boys form a crew and enter local battle
• Some clips
Body Rock (1984
• Street dancer (Chilly D) makes it big and deals with the pros and cons
• Club scene
• Skeleton scene