One Year Anniversary of O.G. B-Boy Frosty Freeze’s Passing

Posted on April 3, 2009

I was browsing the Freestyle Session forum when I was reminded of what today represents: the 1 year Anniversary of Frosty Freeze’s Passing. It took me by surprise. It feels like just yesterday that the breaking community was mourning his death. One year has gone by so fast.

Freeze’s impact on breakdancing is immeasurable. His role in Flashdance is responsible much of today’s breaking. Personally, I can trace this blog, much of the past 11 years of my life and my first original move to the man. I didn’t know him at all, yet I knew him well. 

Popmaster Fabel put together a clip of Freeze to commemorate his memory. The footage honors the legendary b-boy and serves as a reminder of his contribution:

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 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 on College Campuses

Posted on February 6, 2009

From the hood to higher learning, breakdancers can now be found at most universities. The original breakers were by no means ignorant but since they had lower class roots, the dance was often associated with the impoverished and uneducated. These days, however, b-boys and b-girls are making noise at colleges and universities all around the world.

I started attending the University of Texas in 2000 but initially only met 2 b-boys. Though Austin had a great breakdancing scene, UT’s was nearly non-existent. I attended the local practices but since I spent the majority of my time on campus, I set out to find any breakers who may be lurking behind the books.

The next semester, I started Breakdancing Association and put up fliers for practice.  My hunch was right: by the end of the semester, I had been contacted by some fellow student breakers and we formed a crew. Over the next few years, we practiced weekly, entered competitions and did shows around campus. Some of my fondest college memories are with them as we released our academic frustrations on campus dance floors.

This year’s incoming freshmen don’t have to try so hard to find fellow UT breakers and the same goes for other schools. B-boys and b-girls can be found at the University of Michigan, University of California Irvine, Cornell and many others. They’re at these schools practicing, performing and even hosting events. Claws Out, for example, is annually hosted at Loyola Marymount University while James Madison University is home to Circles. And a few months ago, John Hopkins awarded their student breakdancing organization funds to host an on-campus competition.

The growing interest of college students and college educated b-boys is helping change the way people look at breaking. No longer is it seen as just a ghetto dance and fad performed by those with nothing else to do. It’s an art, lifestyle and culture with a highly-diverse group of practitioners.

Here’s a (probably incomplete) list of schools with breakdancing organizations:

International:

B-Boy Roxrite Feature on More Than A Stance

Posted on February 3, 2009

There’s a great article on B-Boy RoxRite at MoreThanAStance.com where the “world-famous battler discusses training effectively, dealing with MySpace stalkers, and making the transition from pizza delivery driver to freelance b-boy.”

It’s refreshing to see an all-star like him staying grounded. Despite his experience, skills and competition wins, RoxRite remains humble:

More and more nowadays, it seems like the line between b-boy battle braggadocio and real-life drama is getting blurred. RoxRite, on the other hand, actually seems content. Maybe it’s just his personality or just how he handles all things b-boying internally; he’s obviously still hungry, but he speaks with a overall tone of ease that most other b-boys seem to lack.

…

And RoxRite doesn’t seem hung up on the fact that he hasn’t struck riches, either. He’s surprisingly open and unashamed about his humble financial situation.

Breakdancing requires confidence on the floor but it often turns into cockiness off it. RoxRite is setting a great example by showing how to be a great b-boy without being conceited.

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