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Sometimes they would make a contract that the loser would not go around to the winner's
neighborhood anymore. Sometimes they battled just to gain each other's respect. Unfortunately, these Breaking
battles did not always stop fight. In fact, they often would cause a fight, since dancers would sometimes get
physical when they couldn't win dancewise. No one likes to lose. But today Breaking battles have, to a large
extent, replaced fighting in the Bronx. In this way Breaking crews-groups of dancers who practice and preform
together-were formed. Hip Hop Dancing Animated Gif
And soon formal crews organized, who not only practiced and preformed together, but who also
developed their own dance routines. Some of these crews became very dedicated to their dancing, and since they had
nothing better to do, would spend hours a day praticing, developing more and more complex moves, improving their
form, and increasing their speed. And then Afrika Bambaataa came along. Bambaataa is the legendary grand master
D.J. who is the individual most responsible for the successful growth of Breakin. He is a record producer and
member of the Soul Sonic Force, whose "Looking For The Perfect Beat" was chosen as the No.4 best single in the 1983
Jazz and pop Critics' Poll.
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Afrika Bambaataa is also the leader of the Zulu Nation in the Bronx.
In 1969, Afrika Bambaataa saw Breaking as more than just dancing. He saw it as a way to achieve something. He
saw the potential of Breaking, and encouraged the dancers to keep at it. To work hard, and to believe that if
they stuck with it, something good would come of it. Bambaataa then started one of the first Breaking crews, the
Zulu Kings.
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The Zulu Kings won a lot of battles and talent shows and preformed in various clubs in New
York. At the same time they won a lot of adherents for the Zulu Nation. Old-style Breaking remained popular untill
about 1977, when the Freak took over, based on the hit record "Freak Out" by the Shieks. Then around 1979 and early
1980 a new Breaking crew was organized-Rock Steady Crew. Even though Rock Steady Crew was especially talented, a
lot of people put them down being old-fashioned. Hip Hop Dancing Animated
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But Bambataa encouraged them. He told them that if they stuck with it, something good would
happen. He took them on, and soon they were performing at the Mudd Club, the Ritz, and other Punk rock clubs around
New York. When Rock Steady performed for Malcom McLaren and Bow Wow Wow at the Ritz people started taking them
seriously. Breaking Was In Again. But the new-style Breaking was different from the old. Rock Steady added a lot of
acrobatic moves. Breaking now included not only Floor Rock but Headspins, Backspins, Handglides, and Windmills. In
1981, Charles Ahearn made his Hip-Hop movie, Wild Style, a raw vision of rap singing, graffiti, scratching, and
Breaking in the Bronx. Ahearn called on Rock Steady to do the Breaking and Rock Steady became the preeminent
Breaking crew and new-style Breaking became even more popular.
When the spring of 1982 rolled around the Roxy was a well-established New York roller-skating
rink. But the popularity of roller skating quickly began to fade, and in June of '82, Pat Fuji turned the Roxy into
a dance club on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. The Roxy quickly became the Hip Hop center. It was here that
rappers, D.J.'s, and Breakers would perform and hang out. If you wanted to discover a Breaker for your show or
video, you would come to the Roxy. Or if you just wanted to watch or learn some new moves, you would come to the
Roxy. And the Roxy started to sponsor Breaking contests, which would help the winners get more recognition. In
June, 1983, Pat Fuji hired professional Jazz dancer Rosanne Hoare to run the Street Arts Consortium, whish was a
house Breaking, rapping, and graffiti art. Rosy was going to officially establish a home for Hip Hop Culture. While
the Street Art Consorium never really happened as envisioned, Rosy did provide a home for Breakdancers. She not
only provided a place where they could feel at home, but she worked with them as a choreographer, helping to extend
their dance possibilities.
She also helped many dancer find commercial and performing dance work. Most importanly, Rosy
was-and is-always there as a friend whom they can count on. She herself has taken up Breakdancing.
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B-Boys Hip Hop Dance Site #1
BreakCheck Hip Hop Dance Site #
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