This weekend [July 25th-28th] one of Hip Hop's oldest and most enduring groups will celebrate it's 25th Anniversary. We're talking about the Rocksteady Crew which first became known to the mainstream after a brief, yet impactful cameo in the 1983 movie 'Flashdance' starring actress Jennifer Beale. Who could forget the 'dancing in the park' scene that forever immortalized this crew? Here RSC members like Mr Freeze, who moon walked with an open umbrella and Crazy Legs who showed off his innovative signature backspin move executed colorful, mind boggling dance moves that forever inspired people all around the world. The group later went on to bigger and better heights when they appeared in movies like Beat Street [1985], released a platinum selling record 'Hey You'[1986] and featured in the off Broadway play 'Jam on the Groove'[1997]. Today RSC has chapters all over the world from Toronto to Tokyo to Las Vegas with close to a 100 active members. They serve as important ambassadors for Hip Hop as they help preserve an often overlooked and under appreciated aspect of the culture. "Dance is the life of a hip hop party. Not just b.boying / girling, but the trendy stuff too. The breaking element represents the warrior of hip hop. We're the only ones that have something to lose each time we touch the floor. Injuries are always waiting to happen", noted RSC president Crazy Legs in a recent interview. He went on to add that he sees RSC as an important organization that helps inform the masses about the history and essence of true Hip Hop. "I would like to think that we represent the essence of what Hip Hop is about. I feel that we also represent a certain loyalty and dedication to the culture.", he continued.. This year as RSC celebrates their 25th Anniversary an estimated 15 to 20 thousand people are expected to attend the various activities, concerts, and b-boy/b-girl battles they have planned throughout NY's Lower Manhattan. On Thursday, July 25th there will be a Hip Hop film festival put together and hosted by Bobbito Garcia of WKCR and Vibe Magazine. This will be going down at the New York City Urban Experience near the South Street Seaport. Day two, (Friday, July 26th) is the B-boy/B-girl battle. Day Three, Saturday July 27th is the annual Free/outdoor concert. Sunday, July 28th is the Paid/indoor concert in which old school and new school hip-hop artists perform, B-boy/B-girl winners are presented, and RSC presents a grand finale performance. This yearıs performers will include Gangstarr, Dilated Peoples, Newcleus, Just-Ice, Rahzel and DJ JS One, The Beatnuts, Jaz O and more to be announced. So after 25 years what's next for RSC? Crazy Legs stated; "The next level would have to be everyone in RSC becoming al that they can be with the gifts that they possess. Rock Steady will always be a crew. It will never be set up as a corporation. It has to continue to be a right of passage in to hip hop culture."... For more information on the Rocksteady Crew 25th Anniversary head on over to their website Rocksteadycrew.com |