The Breaker Beat

        Today I was shocked to hear about the death of Michael Jackson, a musical genius and inspiration to the masses. Its still unbelievable to me that he is gone.  An artist who has such a huge impact on my dance and musical tastes.

        Jackson not only having the top selling album in the U.S.( Thriller), but world-wide as well. This goes to show the amazing impact his talents had on people regardless of the gender, race, ethnicity, class or any other form of separation of people can create. I suppose this is one of the many reasons fans were so drawn to him, his ability to see past the person and look right in to the true soul of human kind.

        As an artist he always pushed the lines of the industy creating new ideas and breaking boundaries. Who will ever forget the moonwalk? Those creepy zombies and amazing choreography in Thriller? He has inspired so many current artist and likely artists to come.

        I hope he will be remembered as the amazing artist he is, a dancer, a choreographer, a singer, in a few words an amazing performer. I will never forget him as the true King Of Pop.

read comments (0)

So it’s been too long since my last post, I guess the hater got a hold of me. But I’m back, full force and ready to go. I went to the workshop tonight, (a b-boy session in outside Santa Barbara) and I got down. Boy, … was I hurtin it’s been a good long month since I sessioned. I tried a couple freezes but mostly footwork. I didn’t forget how important stamina was for b-boys, but I didn’t realize how quickly you could loose it. Whoo!! I’m back on the bus check back next week for my words on the new local graff stop (The L.A.B.). Where all elements of hip-hop come together.

read comments (0)

I love this guy, always inspires me to get it done.

“Procrastination!!! ”

“Its us against them people.”

read comments (0)

Earlier this week I was chatting with a friend of mine and we were discussing our current obstacles of life. Mostly music, breaking, dating… Dating??! Being a single girl I am always game for  discussion on current methods of dating in hopes of finding common grounds and some sort of insight for my own benefit and hopefully the benefit of anyone I ever date.

I went to to explain to my friend (lets call him Rob) that dating is high on my priority list, but I def think about the opposite sex often. But it seems whenever I gain admiration from a potential partner in crime I get the,”Gee you hang out with a lot of guys” line. To which my response is usually something like,”No duh”  and I try to politely explain that currently Hiphop is a male dominated culture and I support change and evolution in that. Apparently some men just dont like to hear that. Oh well, I love to dance and I do what I love, I consider myself lucky, that right now to get do what I love around an abundance of guys…(whom I also love)

After explaining this to Rob, he felt the almost the same way, he loves his music, and takes pride in it, and like me he doesnt put a lot of emphasis on actual dating but he loves women. He also happens to be very charming and quite attractive, so I was pleasantly surprised he was available. Rob told me that he loved and respected women as much as he does his music. Which poses the question why is it so hard to find a date?? And as simple as Rob’s words were they totally resonate with me(and most likely many others) “All I think about is hip hop and women, …in that order.”

Don’t we all??   )

read comments (0)

Being aware of the fact that I am forever a student of Hip hop  I’ve been questioning the significance of music knowledge and its influence on my dance. When I first started dancing ( I am still just beginning) I would repeatedly baash break beats into my head like a 7th grade bully. Though I love and greatly respect break beats(1520 Sedgwick Ave Djs are the best around, in case you didn’t know) I feel ready to mix it up a bit.

So I did a little digging and scoutin’  I found this cool mix by Kogataroo in the Armory store in P.B., San Diego (thanks Henry) Along with that, I came across some funky old beats in my dads collection(thanks pops) and believe it or not I’ve been hearing some cool 90’s jams that fully move my feet. With all these “new to me” findings I see  my rock has been changing and developing. It feels good to hear music going into my ears and then coming out of my body.

All things considered (so far) I must admit that I don’t really know much about music (whats good or what I like)   But,… I see a glimmer in the distance, burrowing through wide ranging  music, is helping me become aware of the funk in my self, in the dance, in others. And it rocks!!

Please, any bits, play lists or fave hits would be greatly appreciated. : ) Thanks.

Never trust spiritual leader who cannot dance.  ~Mr. Miyagi, The Next Karate Kid, 1994

We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.  ~Japanese Proverb

To check out the Super B-beat show: http://superbbeatshow.blogspot.com/

For Armory CD’s and gear: http://www.armoryhiphop.com/

read comments (0)

Today I was sitting in the car listening to the radio…forgive me, and a set of commercials came on, usually I just tune them out but the one playing caught my attention. It was sounds bites from (apparently random) interviews of people in the streets. There was only one question… “what have you done for your marriage today” people came up with all sorts of answers, I kissed my wife today, I avoided an argument, I said I love you, all seemingly minute things but it seemed like bringing awareness to these things made the couples appreciate it more.

So I thought to myself how does this apply to me?? I am not married… for some reason the thought grew… and grew, into what have I done for Hip-hop today? Damn, I havent done much,..then I read this (an excerpt from Cant Stop Wont Stop by Jeff Chang):

To me Hip-hop says “come as you are.” We are a family. It aint about security. I aint about bling-bling.It aint about how much your gun can shoot.It aint about $200 sneakers.It is not about me being better than you, or you being better than me. It’s about you and me, connecting one to one. That’s why it has universal appeal.It has given young people a way to understand their world, whether they are from the suburbs or the city or wherever.
But even more important, I think Hip-hop has bridged the culture-gap. It brings white kids together with black kids, brown kids with yellow kids. They all have something in common that they love. It gets past the stereotypes and people hating each other because of those stereotypes.

-DJ Kool Herc

This made think about the things I am doing everyday, I try to connect with people, while I’m at work, while I’m at school, when I’m shopping, so before I stray to far from the topic, Everyday I consciously give myself to people around me, I listen and try not to judge. I have met so many people of different walks of life through Hip-hop. Once this freely resonated with me, it began to spill into my everyday life, I have become more open to everyone, no one person is off limits. Through Hip-hop we can create a greater understanding… a connectedness then maybe one day create a world of solidarity?? If  we make it conscious it will materialize.

So I ask you,…what have you done for Hip-hop today??

sweetfeet

read comments (2)

These are some dope works of art from a homie of mine, Evan. Due to the lack of funds he is sellin’ his art at very reasonable prices. Evan also does live art and body art as well. His use of bright colors speak in a way that says here I am,I accept you, please accept me and I’m an individual.
For more info on Evan’s art or to book him for a show you can either email me, or contact Evan at www.myspace.com/evantreece

Truth-
Gen

read comments (1)

Mario from Havikoro crew reps Houston with his ride or die drive and his artistic edge. He shows that working what you got plus working hard at what you love equals life well spent. Think, work hard, plant seeds and grow, this guy gave me many thoughts for the future.
Peace

read comments (0)

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/feb/20/bn20graffiti082558/?zIndex=55944

This article was posted on a faveorite website of mine. It pretty much talks about a young man who was arrested by police for painting a mural on a bridge. In the article it says that he painted a huge space white to start from scratch and had a ton of spray cans and paint tips. It sounded like he was seriously about making some true art and beauty and not looking to vandalize. What really ruffled me is the comments some of the readers left. Lots of nasty, narrow things people think of/say when they are under-informed and unappreciative of left of mainstrean art. You decide.
Peace

read comments (0)

As far as B-day bashes go Cros1 knows how to party. Seemingly his motto for this weekend was “Go big or go home!!” Claiming that he made appearances at over ten events on his special, action packed weekend. Whoa! Get it Cros!! The “official” party being on Saturday at club U-31 in S.D. Other places that celebrated were club Sin and 3 kings b-boy event in Chula Vista. Happy B-day Cros.

read comments (0)