Celebreak

Red Bull BC One Event on MTV

Posted on February 25, 2009

MTV got a great response last month when they showed Inside the Circle and Planet B-Boy and even re-aired it a few times. Now they’re planning to show Red Bull’s BC One event. Showing more breakdancing makes sense since their viewers love it but this time will be different. Whereas Inside the Circle and Planet B-Boy are films, BC One is just a 1 on 1 battle. How do you think this will be received?

Red Bull BC One airs on MTV this Saturday, February 28th at 11pm ET

From B-Boy to Business Man

Posted on February 25, 2009

I was browsing Freestyle Session earlier and came across this Mighty4TV clip of Mario from Havikoro Crew. In addition to being a dope b-boy, he’s also a business man who owns a shop, Sucker Punch, and a design firm, Robot Agency in Houston, TX. He shares his thoughts on both entities, dancing and business in the clip.

Breakdancing around the World: India

Posted on February 24, 2009

Though breaking started in the Bronx, NY, it has since grown from a U.S. fad to world-wide phenomenon. I‘ll periodically post a “Breaking around the World” blog to showcase b-boys and b-girls from all around the globe.

I used wonder if India, the world’s second most populous country, had a strong breakdancing scene. Despite Battle of the Year and other global events, the nation was never represented. But with so many people there, and with their booming economy, it was only a matter of time before some desi’s started making noise.

Coming straight outta Mumbai, UD Kombat Crew has emerged as one of the country’s top crews and is helping to spread breakdancing culture all over the sub-continent.

Like they mention in the clip, this crew is in high demand. They’ve done commercials, started a breakdancing school in Mumbai and have also been on India’s Got Talent.

Breakdancing Pillows!

Posted on February 23, 2009

What will they think of next? I heard about these on Coogi and you can cop them at Supermarkethq.

They’re novel but I don’t know about the $60 price tag.

“Breakin” in its graphic detail details the movement and style of 80’s break dancing with a clean and modern look. Hot in the living room as a nostalgic conversation piece. It is 100% cotton denim pillow that will wear like your favorite pair of jeans, getting softer and more comfortable with time. The pillow comes with a contrast black stonewash denim back for the white version, and a contrast white back for the black version. The exposed metal (jeans’) zipper gives it that rock and roll edge.The pillow is 18X18″ with a hypoallergenic removable insert.

Early 80’s TV Segment on the NYC Breakers

Posted on February 23, 2009

Here’s an early 80’s TV segment on the NYC Breakers Crew. Unfortunately, I don’t know what channel or show this came from. Definitely drop a line if you have more info on it:

Birthplace of Hip Hop on PBS’ “History Detectives”

Posted on February 23, 2009

Most hip-hop heads will tell you that it all started in the Bronx. And many will even tell you exactly where: 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. This is the location where DJ Kool Herc–the Godfather of Hip Hop–started throwing the basement parties which fueled hip-hop’s growth. And tonight, the spot will be featured on PBS’s History Detectives, a show “devoted to exploring the complexities of historical mysteries, searching out the facts, myths and conundrums that connect local folklore, family legends and interesting objects.”

I heard about this episode from the Bronx News Network. The details are as follows:

BIRTHPLACE OF HIP HOP
AIRING: Season 6, Episode 11
THE DETECTIVE: Tukufu Zuberi
THE PLACE: New York City
THE CASE:

A hip hop enthusiast from New York City has always heard that 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx is the birthplace of hip hop.

The story goes that on August 11, 1973 DJ Kool Herc, a building resident, was entertaining at his sister’s back-to-school party, and tried something new on the turntable: he extended an instrumental beat (breaking or scratching) to let people dance longer (break dancing) and began MC’ing (rapping) during the extended breakdancing.

This, the contributor believes, marked the birth of hip hop. The music led to an entire cultural movement that’s altered generational thinking – from politics and race to art and language.

History Detectives sets out to examine an inner city environment that helped lay the foundation for a cultural revolution.

Breakdancing in the Military

Posted on February 18, 2009

Before Planet B-Boy came out, the director dropped a really creative promo for the film that simulated a battle between North and South Korea at the DMZ:

It made me wonder about b-boys and b-girls who may be serving in the military.  I’ve heard of different breakers enlisting and figured the passion wouldn’t die just because they’re now sporting fatigues and boots instead of jumpsuits and shell toes.  And if Generation Kill holds any merit, there’s a lot of downtown for those currently serving in Iraq. Check out how these servicemen are filling their time:

And it’s not limited to the American military. Here are breakdancers from other nations getting down while serving their countries.

Israel:

Russia:

Breakdancing around the World: Boliva

Posted on February 15, 2009

Though breaking started in the Bronx, NY, it has since grown from a U.S. fad to world-wide phenomenon. I‘ll periodically post a “Breaking around the World” blog to showcase b-boys and b-girls from all around the globe.

Transworld Sport had a great piece on breakdancing in El Alto, a suburb of La Paz, Boliva. At 13,615 feet, it’s one one of the highest elevated cities in the world and is the fastest growing city in the country. As you can see in the clip, commerce isn’t the only thing growing there. Breakdancing and other elements of hip hop are becoming ever more popular. It’s been captivating the city’s youth since the late 90’s, when cable TV and the internet became widely available: 

Dark Knight Breakdancing - Batman battles the Joker

Posted on February 15, 2009

Did you want the Joker to win in the Dark Knight? He may have died in the movie but you can still have him win a breakdancing battle. Patrick Boivin has created an interactive Dark Knight battle between Batman and the Joker using Youtube. You choose a character and then watch and copy your oppononents moves.  If you’re able to copy it 3 times in a row, you win. 

Here’s the first clip:

I found this on on Loyalkng.  Why so serious?

Breakin’ and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo reissued on DVD

Posted on February 12, 2009

The epitomal breakploitation flicks of the 80’s, Breakin‘ and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo, are being reissued in their original wide screen format. 

 

I was originally surprised to read this but after some thought, it made sense. Demand for all-things-breaking has probably gone up in recent times.  Films,  TV shows and other acts of breakdancing are steadily increasing people’s exposure to the culture. What better time than now to reissue a breaking cult classic to capitalize on it’s growing popularity?

Related Posts:

• A Conversation with Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Quinones aka “Ozone” from Breakin’ and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo
• The Breakploitation of the 80’s