Ok so I recently read an article from Vibe about the history of Breakin'? I was truly surprised. I learned that Crazy Legs doubled as Jennifer Beal during the famous 2 minute breakin scene. And I loved Beat Street ("You betta eat your eggs before I break your legs." fav quote) as a child and had no idea that the true artists behind the characters had another opinion. In retrospect, the actors were a bit old when compared to their real-life counterparts. The vernacular also sounded forced and unnatural. When I look at other video shorts and photos from that time Beat Street does look Hollywood. I was disappointed to learn that Emcees and DeeJays like Jam Master Flash straight dissed b-boys calling their style "played-out." Which came first the b-boy or the DeeJay? B-boyin' is considered the 2nd element of hip hop just after graffiti. How dare you disrespect your predecessor? Who put who on for real? Anyway, I know I have commented on b-boys in earlier posts but I truly feel like I embraced that element more than the others (before Bambaataa added the 5th element). I am a b-girl at heart and I have to rep.
What's in your heart?
I agree with you Cassandra Beat Street is a good movie. Jan Master Flash was jealous of b-boy style because maybe he didn't have the courage to out there and perform himself. The break dancing and battling with different crew really stood out to me. It was interesting to learn from top boy's to bottom boy's. Therefore, I think Deejays and Emcees should mind there own business and encourage other b-boys, instead of discouraging them.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeletei think dissing your predecessors is a part of hip hop as the new guys come one the scene they talk about their style like its the most important in the history of hip hop (Nelly v. K.R.S.1, Soldier boy v. IceT, Gza v. 50, Cam'ron v. Jay-Z). Its like they all think the invented how to rap, breakdance, write or dj. i think we wouldn't progress without the generational changes.
ReplyDeletePoint taken.
ReplyDelete