New York City Breakers
Encyclopedia
The New York City Breakers (NYCB) is a B-boy or breakdancing crew and hip-hop group that was established in the Bronx borough of New York City
. They were originally known as the "Floormaster Crew".
, hired Holman to put together a Hip Hop Review - consisting of DJ Afrika Bambaataa
, DJ Jazzy Jay, MC Ikey C, graffiti artist Kel-1 and the Rock Steady Crew
- to open for Bow Wow Wow
. A few months later, Holman brought his Hip Hop Review to Negril, an East Village club on 2nd Ave. and 12th Street, as a way of introducing this new sub-culture to the Art World of Downtown New York City. On the opening night, Holman had Bambaataa and Jazzy Jay rock the dance floor, and featured the graffiti art of Rammellzee
. Holman's close friend, legendary graffiti artist/pioneer Phase II
created the flyers for these Hip Hop nights. Holman also screened "Catch A Beat" for background visual entertainment. Other MCs and DJs who graced the Negril stage included: DJ Kool Herc
, DJ Whiz Kid, Fab Five Freddy
, Futura 2000
, Phase II, DJ High Priest and DJ Cool Dee. The featured breakdancers/B-Boys, and the true highlight of the night, were the Rock Steady Crew, whom Holman had acted as manager/agent for a year or so at that point. Wanting to see a real B-Boy battle, played out for a Downtown audience - something even Holman hadn't witnessed yet - Holman asked Crazy Legs
, Rock Steady's leader, to find and invite another B-Boy crew to Negril for a real throwdown. Crazy Legs decided to invite the Floor Masters, a crew they had battled a few weeks before, at a hostile Jam in a High School in the Bronx. Ironically, the two battling crews had to join together, to fight their way out of the Jam when the crowd turned against both of them. This incident created a lasting friendship and respect between these dance crews. During the Negril Floormasters/RSC Battle, Holman was amazed by the newcomers' dancing abilities. Where the Rock Steady Crew dazzled the crowd with their dancing and rhythm, The Floor Masters wowed everyone, especially Holman, with their speed and power and athleticism. Inspired, Holman decided to create a new, all-star, super B-Boy crew, that specialized in power and speed, and build the crew with The Floor Masters as the foundation, and it was Phase II, with his genius for words, who came up with the name, The New York City Breakers.
Right away, Holman worked with Chino Lopez, the leader of The Floor Masters, and visionary himself, on finding and recruiting new members (as well as shedding old members of the Floor Masters who didn't have the power, speed and finesse Holman wanted) to build The New York City Breakers. Holman had previously known Lil' Lep, a head spin master, and he right away asked Lep to join the NYCBs. Soon after, Lep introduced Holman to his friend, Bobby Potts (AKA, Flip Rock), who's flips and footwork instantly put into the crew. At the same time, Chino told Holman about a one in a million dancer who would really make the crew a force to contend with, but Chino warned Holman that this dancer was wild.This mystery dancer turned out to be Tony Lopez (AKA Powerful Pexter) who was everything Chino promised as a dancer and more. With the Pexter's power moves
extraordinaire (some credit Pex with being the greatest Old School B-Boy who ever rocked a floor), Lep's genius head spins and wicked foot work swipes, Chino's original and masters of neck moves, Noel Manguel's (AKA Kid Nice) unique head glides and Mathew Caban's (AKA Glide Master) unbelievable fist glides, Holman had the makings of an unstoppable, untoppable, B-Boy Crew, that he could take to world fame.
Not long after, Holman was introduced to a dancer who brought electric boogie, popping and locking skills to the NYCBs mix. His name is Tony Draughon (AKA Mr. Wave) and to this day his moves and body contortions seem unbelievable. Rounding out the crew was Corey Montalvo (AKA Icey Ice), who's air moves were stunning to witness. Now, all the pieces had fallen into place. Holman had his power crew, his all-star crew, and soon after, introduced B-Boying, and subsequently, Hip Hop Culture in general, to greater New York City, then the country, then the world.
The NYC Breakers started their careers' with a splash, appearing, not days after signing with Holman, on the nationally televised Merv Griffin Show. Soon after, the NYCBs began appearing on everything from "Soul Train
", "Ripley's Believe It or Not!
", "P.M. Magazine", "CBS Evening News
", "Good Morning America
", "Amnesty International Gala", "That's Incredible!
", and "NBC's Salute to the Olympics" just to name a few."Sixteen Candles
", "Beat Street
", "The Freshest Kids", and are some of the noteworthy feature films they appeared in as well a cameo in "Body Rock
".
The NYCBs appeared on the first ever Hip Hop TV show called "Graffiti Rock
", created, produced and hosted by their manager, Michael Holman.And author of the book "Breaking and The New York City Breakers", that was to be published that fall in 1984 by Freundlich Books. He was America's leading exponent in Hip Hop Culture and a founding member of Hip Hop International Inc.And released a Album Break-Master Featuring New York City Breakers that went Gold with Posters and array of how to break steps and how hold a competition the first to have all this in one album. The NYCBs were the first ever Hip Hop group and/or artists to perform in Washington D.C for a sitting President, specifically Ronald Reagan, during the 1984, "Kennedy Center Honors
."" The performance was broadcast nationally on CBS, and is considered a landmark for the acceptance of Hip Hop culture in America. While performing in tribute to legendary choreographer, and Kenndy Center Honoree Katherine Dunham
at the Kennedy Center Honors, the NYCBs befriended Frank Sinatra
, (also an Honoree that year) who was so impressed by the NYCBs, he hired them back to perform for the 50th Presidential Inaugural Gala, which Sinatra was the organizing Chairman.
Michael Holman and The New York City Breakers formed the first company Hip Hop International toured the world and performed for Presidents and royalty (England's Price Andrew and the King and Queen of Norway). As one of the first Hip Hop/B-Boy crews, they helped spread Hip Hop around the globe, and will always be remembered as crucial pioneers of Hip Hop Culture.
At the height of The NYCBs fame, sadly, Matthew Caban (Glide Master) died in a motorcycle accident.
The original NYCBs
edited by Michael Holman
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. They were originally known as the "Floormaster Crew".
History
Michael Holman, Hip Hop pioneer and Downtown artist/filmmaker who produce and directed the first Hip Hop film, “Catch Beat” in 1981, promoted the first Hip-Hop parties in Downtown Manhattan at a night club called "Negril." At a NYC Bow Wow Wow concert in September, 1982, Bow Wow Wow's manager and legendary impresario, Malcolm McLarenMalcolm McLaren
Malcolm Robert Andrew McLaren was an English performer, impresario, self-publicist and manager of the Sex Pistols and the New York Dolls...
, hired Holman to put together a Hip Hop Review - consisting of DJ Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa is an American DJ from the South Bronx, New York who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1980s. Afrika Bambaataa is one of the three originators of break-beat deejaying, and is respectfully known as the "Grandfather" and the Amen Ra of Universal...
, DJ Jazzy Jay, MC Ikey C, graffiti artist Kel-1 and the Rock Steady Crew
Rock Steady Crew
Rock Steady Crew is a b-boying crew and hip hop group that was established in the Bronx, New York City in 1977. The group was initially formed by b-boys named Jimmy D and Jojo. In subsequent years, Rock Steady Crew became a franchise name for groups in other locations. The Manhattan branch was...
- to open for Bow Wow Wow
Bow Wow Wow
Bow Wow Wow were an English 1980s New Wave band created by Malcolm McLaren to promote his and business partner Vivienne Westwood's New Romantic fashion lines.The group's music is described as having an "African-derived drum sound".-History:...
. A few months later, Holman brought his Hip Hop Review to Negril, an East Village club on 2nd Ave. and 12th Street, as a way of introducing this new sub-culture to the Art World of Downtown New York City. On the opening night, Holman had Bambaataa and Jazzy Jay rock the dance floor, and featured the graffiti art of Rammellzee
Rammellzee
Rammellzee was a visual artist, graffiti writer, performance artist, hip hop musician, art theoretician and sculptor from New York.-Life and work:...
. Holman's close friend, legendary graffiti artist/pioneer Phase II
Phase II
Phase II may refer to:* Phase II clinical trial* Drug metabolism Phase II* Star Trek: Phase II, a planned Star Trek television series that eventually evolved into Star Trek: The Motion Picture...
created the flyers for these Hip Hop nights. Holman also screened "Catch A Beat" for background visual entertainment. Other MCs and DJs who graced the Negril stage included: DJ Kool Herc
DJ Kool Herc
Clive Campbell , also known as Kool Herc, DJ Kool Herc and Kool DJ Herc, is a Jamaican-born DJ who is credited with originating hip hop music, in The Bronx, New York City...
, DJ Whiz Kid, Fab Five Freddy
Fab Five Freddy
Fred Brathwaite , more popularly known as Fab 5 Freddy, is an American Hip hop historian, Hip hop pioneer and former graffiti artist...
, Futura 2000
Futura 2000
Futura 2000 is a graffiti artist. He started to paint illegally on New York's subway in the early seventies, working with other artists such as ALI. In the early eighties he showed with Patti Astor at the Fun Gallery, along with Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Richard Hambleton and Kenny Scharf...
, Phase II, DJ High Priest and DJ Cool Dee. The featured breakdancers/B-Boys, and the true highlight of the night, were the Rock Steady Crew, whom Holman had acted as manager/agent for a year or so at that point. Wanting to see a real B-Boy battle, played out for a Downtown audience - something even Holman hadn't witnessed yet - Holman asked Crazy Legs
Crazy Legs
Richard Colón better known by his stage name Crazy Legs is a b-boy from the Bronx, New York City, USA. He featured in the earliest stories on hip hop dancing to appear in mainstream press, and as president of the Rock Steady Crew brought the form to London and Paris in 1983...
, Rock Steady's leader, to find and invite another B-Boy crew to Negril for a real throwdown. Crazy Legs decided to invite the Floor Masters, a crew they had battled a few weeks before, at a hostile Jam in a High School in the Bronx. Ironically, the two battling crews had to join together, to fight their way out of the Jam when the crowd turned against both of them. This incident created a lasting friendship and respect between these dance crews. During the Negril Floormasters/RSC Battle, Holman was amazed by the newcomers' dancing abilities. Where the Rock Steady Crew dazzled the crowd with their dancing and rhythm, The Floor Masters wowed everyone, especially Holman, with their speed and power and athleticism. Inspired, Holman decided to create a new, all-star, super B-Boy crew, that specialized in power and speed, and build the crew with The Floor Masters as the foundation, and it was Phase II, with his genius for words, who came up with the name, The New York City Breakers.
Right away, Holman worked with Chino Lopez, the leader of The Floor Masters, and visionary himself, on finding and recruiting new members (as well as shedding old members of the Floor Masters who didn't have the power, speed and finesse Holman wanted) to build The New York City Breakers. Holman had previously known Lil' Lep, a head spin master, and he right away asked Lep to join the NYCBs. Soon after, Lep introduced Holman to his friend, Bobby Potts (AKA, Flip Rock), who's flips and footwork instantly put into the crew. At the same time, Chino told Holman about a one in a million dancer who would really make the crew a force to contend with, but Chino warned Holman that this dancer was wild.This mystery dancer turned out to be Tony Lopez (AKA Powerful Pexter) who was everything Chino promised as a dancer and more. With the Pexter's power moves
Power moves
Power moves are the most powerful part of the dance form with speed momentum and acrobatic elements of bboying. They are often the centerpieces of b-boy routines featuring the other elements—toprock, Bottomrock aka downrock, suicides, and freezes—that make up breakdancing...
extraordinaire (some credit Pex with being the greatest Old School B-Boy who ever rocked a floor), Lep's genius head spins and wicked foot work swipes, Chino's original and masters of neck moves, Noel Manguel's (AKA Kid Nice) unique head glides and Mathew Caban's (AKA Glide Master) unbelievable fist glides, Holman had the makings of an unstoppable, untoppable, B-Boy Crew, that he could take to world fame.
Not long after, Holman was introduced to a dancer who brought electric boogie, popping and locking skills to the NYCBs mix. His name is Tony Draughon (AKA Mr. Wave) and to this day his moves and body contortions seem unbelievable. Rounding out the crew was Corey Montalvo (AKA Icey Ice), who's air moves were stunning to witness. Now, all the pieces had fallen into place. Holman had his power crew, his all-star crew, and soon after, introduced B-Boying, and subsequently, Hip Hop Culture in general, to greater New York City, then the country, then the world.
The NYC Breakers started their careers' with a splash, appearing, not days after signing with Holman, on the nationally televised Merv Griffin Show. Soon after, the NYCBs began appearing on everything from "Soul Train
Soul Train
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
", "Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Ripley's Believe It or Not! is a franchise, founded by Robert Ripley, which deals in bizarre events and items so strange and unusual that readers might question the claims...
", "P.M. Magazine", "CBS Evening News
CBS Evening News
CBS Evening News is the flagship nightly television news program of the American television network CBS. The network has broadcast this program since 1948, and has used the CBS Evening News title since 1963....
", "Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
", "Amnesty International Gala", "That's Incredible!
That's Incredible!
That's Incredible! was an American reality television show that aired on the ABC television network from 1980 to 1984.-Synopsis:In the tradition of You Asked For It, Ripley's Believe It or Not! and Real People, the show featured people performing stunts and reenactments of allegedly paranormal events...
", and "NBC's Salute to the Olympics" just to name a few."Sixteen Candles
Sixteen Candles
Sixteen Candles is a 1984 American film starring Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling and Anthony Michael Hall. It was written and directed by John Hughes.- Plot :...
", "Beat Street
Beat Street
Beat Street is a 1984 drama film, following Wild Style in featuring New York City hip hop culture of the early 1980s; breakdancing, DJing, and graffiti.-Plot:...
", "The Freshest Kids", and are some of the noteworthy feature films they appeared in as well a cameo in "Body Rock
Body Rock
Body Rock is a 1984 film directed by Marcelo Epstein about a young man "from the streets" with a talent for break-dancing. It stars Lorenzo Lamas in the lead role of 'Chilly'. The film featured music by Laura Branigan....
".
The NYCBs appeared on the first ever Hip Hop TV show called "Graffiti Rock
Graffiti rock
Graffiti Rock was a hip-hop based television program, originally screened June 29, 1984. Intended as an on-going series, the show only received one pilot episode and aired on WPIX channel 11 in New York City and a few other markets...
", created, produced and hosted by their manager, Michael Holman.And author of the book "Breaking and The New York City Breakers", that was to be published that fall in 1984 by Freundlich Books. He was America's leading exponent in Hip Hop Culture and a founding member of Hip Hop International Inc.And released a Album Break-Master Featuring New York City Breakers that went Gold with Posters and array of how to break steps and how hold a competition the first to have all this in one album. The NYCBs were the first ever Hip Hop group and/or artists to perform in Washington D.C for a sitting President, specifically Ronald Reagan, during the 1984, "Kennedy Center Honors
Kennedy Center Honors
The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual honor given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture. The Honors have been presented annually since 1978 in Washington, D.C., during gala weekend-long events which culminate in a performance for—and...
."" The performance was broadcast nationally on CBS, and is considered a landmark for the acceptance of Hip Hop culture in America. While performing in tribute to legendary choreographer, and Kenndy Center Honoree Katherine Dunham
Katherine Dunham
Katherine Mary Dunham was an American dancer, choreographer, songwriter, author, educator, and activist...
at the Kennedy Center Honors, the NYCBs befriended Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
, (also an Honoree that year) who was so impressed by the NYCBs, he hired them back to perform for the 50th Presidential Inaugural Gala, which Sinatra was the organizing Chairman.
Michael Holman and The New York City Breakers formed the first company Hip Hop International toured the world and performed for Presidents and royalty (England's Price Andrew and the King and Queen of Norway). As one of the first Hip Hop/B-Boy crews, they helped spread Hip Hop around the globe, and will always be remembered as crucial pioneers of Hip Hop Culture.
At the height of The NYCBs fame, sadly, Matthew Caban (Glide Master) died in a motorcycle accident.
The original NYCBs
- Chino "Action" Lopez
- Noel "Kid Nice" Mangual
- Matthew "Glide Master" Caban
- Tony "Powerful Pexster" Lopez
- Ray "Lil Lep" Ramos
- Bobby "Flip Rock" Potts
- Tony "Mr. Wave" Draughon
- Corey "Icey Ice" Montalvo
- Alex "Lil Alex" Roman performed a few times with the crew, distinguishing himself as a phenomenal dancer during the crew's performance for the televised, 1984, Presidential Inauguration Gala.
edited by Michael Holman
External links
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dJ76l_Xtis
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHYPQEdr5Lw
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW5d_YjQZyM
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcQmRKBLzzs
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MUenr0UCgM