"HISTORY OF NYC SUBWAY GRAFFITI "     Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.Copyright © 1998, 2007 @149st. All rights reserved.

GROUND WORK 1966-71
Graffiti was used primarily by political activists to make statements and street gangs to mark territory. Though graffiti movements such as the Cholos of Los Angeles in the 1930s and the hobo signatures on freight trains predate the New York School, it wasn't till the late 1960s that writing's current identity started to form.

The history of the underground art movement known by many names, most commonly termed graffiti begins in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the mid to late '60s and is rooted in bombing. The writers who are credited with the first conscious bombing effort are CORNBREAD and COOL EARL. They wrote their names all over the city gaining attention from the community and local press. It is unclear whether this concept made its way to New York City via deliberate efforts or if was a spontaneous occurrence.


PIONEERING 1971-74
Shortly after CORNBREAD, the Washington Heights section of Manhattan was giving birth to writers. In 1971 The New York Times published an article on one of these writers. TAKI 183 was the alias of a kid from Washington Heights. TAKI was the nickname for his given name Demetrius and 183 was the number of the street where he lived. He was employed as a foot messenger, so he was on the subway frequently and took advantage of it, doing motion tags. The appearance of this unusual name and numeral sparked public curiosity prompting the Times article. He was by no means the first writer or even the first king. He was however the first to be recognized outside the newly formed subculture. Most widely credited, as being one of the first writers of significance is JULIO 204. FRANK 207 and JOE 136 were also early writers.

On the streets of Brooklyn a movement was growing as well. Scores of writers were active. FRIENDLY FREDDIE was an early Brooklyn writer to gain fame. The subway system proved to be a line of communication and a unifying element for all these separate movements. People in all the five boroughs became aware of each other's efforts. This established the foundation of inter-borough competition.

Writing started moving from the streets to the subways and quickly became competitive. At this point writing consisted of mostly tags and the goal was to have as many as possible. Writers would ride the trains hitting as many subway cars as possible. It wasn't long before writers discovered that in a train yard or lay up they could hit many more subway cars in much less time and with less chance of getting caught. The concept and method of bombing had been established.

Tag Style
After a while there were so many people writing so much that writers needed a new way to gain fame. The first way was to make your tag unique. Many script and calligraphic styles were developed. Writers enhanced their tags with flourishes, stars and other designs. Some designs were strictly for visual appeal while others had meaning. For instance, crowns were used by writers who proclaimed themselves king. Probably the most famous tag in the culture's history was STAY HIGH 149. He used a smoking joint as the cross bar for his "H" and a stick figure from the television series The Saint.

Tag Scale
The next development was scale. Writers started to render their tags in larger scale. The standard nozzle width of a spray paint can is narrow so these larger tags while drawing more attention than a standard tag, did not have much visual weight. Writers began to increase the thickness of the letters and would also outline them with an additional color. Writers discovered that caps from other aerosol products could provide a larger width of spray. This led to the development of the masterpiece. It is difficult to say who did the first masterpiece, but it is commonly credited to SUPER KOOL 223 of the Bronx and WAP of Brooklyn. The thicker letters provided the opportunity to further enhance the name. Writers decorated the interior of the letters with what are termed "designs." First with simple polka dots, later with crosshatches, stars, checkerboards. Designs were limited only by an artist's imagination.

Writers eventually started to render these masterpieces spanning the entire height of the subway car (A first also credited to SUPER KOOL 223.). These masterpieces were termed top-to bottoms. The additions of color design and scale were dramatic advancements, but these works still strongly resembled the tags on which they were based. Some of the more accomplished writers of this time were HONDO 1, JAPAN 1, MOSES 147, SNAKE 131, LEE 163d, STAR 3, PHASE 2, PRO-SOUL, TRACY 168, LIL HAWK, BARBARA 62, EVA 62, CAY 161, JUNIOR 161 and STAY HIGH 149.

The competitive atmosphere led to the development of actual styles, which would depart from the tag styled pieces. Broadway style was introduced by Philadelphia's TOPCAT 126. These letters would evolve in to block letters, leaning letters, and blockbusters. PHASE 2 later developed Softie letters, more commonly referred to as Bubble letters. Bubble letters and Broadway style were the earliest forms of actual pieces and therefore the foundation of many styles. Soon arrows, curls, connections and twists adorned letters. These additions became increasing complex and would become the basis for Mechanical or Wild style lettering.

The combination of PHASE's work and competition from other style masters like RIFF 170 and PEL furthered the development. RIFF is noted as being an early catalyst in what is termed style wars. RIFF would take ideas from other writers and improve upon them and take them to another level. Writers like FLINT 707 and PISTOL made major contributions in development of three dimensional lettering adding depth to the masterpiece, which became standards for generations to come.

This early period of creativity did not go unrecognized. Hugo Martinez, a sociology major at City College in New York took notice of the legitimate artistic potential of this generation. Martinez went on to found United Graffiti Artists. UGA selected top subway artists from all around the city and presented their work in the formal context of an art gallery. UGA provided opportunities once inaccessible to these artists. The Razor Gallery was a successful effort of Mr. Martinez and the artists he represented. PHASE 2, MICO, COCO 144, PISTOL, FLINT 707, BAMA, SNAKE, and STITCH have been represented by Martinez.
A 1973 article in New York magazine by Richard Goldstein entitled "The Graffiti Hit Parade" was also early public recognition of the artistic potential of subway artists.

Around 1974 writers like TRACY 168, CLIFF 159, BLADE ONE created works with scenery, illustrations and cartoon characters surrounding the masterpieces. This formed the basis for the mural whole car. Earlier ground breaking whole cars were produced by writers like AJ 161 and SILVER TIPS.

THE PEAK 75-77
For the most part innovation in writing hit a plateau after 1974. All the standards had been set and a new school was about to reap the benefits of the artistic foundations established by prior generations and a city in the midst of a fiscal crisis. New York City was broke and therefore the transit system was poorly maintained. This led to the heaviest bombing in history.

At this time bombing and style began to further distinguish themselves. Whole cars became a standard practice rather than an event, and the definitive form of bombing became the throw up. The throw up is a piecing style derived from the bubble letter. The throw up is hastily rendered piece consisting of a simple outline and is barely filled in. Mostly two letter throw up names began appearing all over the system particularly on the INDs and BMTs. Crews like POG, 3yb, BYB TC, TOP, made major contributions. Throw up kings included TEE, IZ, DY 167, PI, IN, LE, TO, OI, FI aka VINNY, TI 149, CY, PEO. Writers became very competitive. Races broke out to see who could do the most throw ups. Throw ups peaked from '75 through '77, as did whole cars. Writers like BUTCH, CASE, KINDO, BLADE, COMET, ALE 1, DOO2, JOHN 150, LEE, MONO, SLAVE, SLUG, DOC 109 CAINE ONE plastered the IRTs with magnificent whole cars, following in the foot steps of giants like TRACY and CLIFF.


STYLE REVIVAL 1978-1981
A new wave of creativity bloomed in late 1977 with crews like TDS, TMT, UA, MAFIA, TS5, CIA, RTW, ROC Stars, TMB, TFP, TC5 and TF5. Style wars were once again peaking. It was also the last wave of bombing before the Transit Authority made the elimination of writing a priority. On Broadway, CHAIN 3, KOOL 131, PADRE, NOC 167 and PART 1 were expanding upon styles established by writers like PHASE 2, RIFF 170 and PEL. CHAIN later went to the 2 and 5 lines with the TMT crew. In style war tradition, CIA countered TMT's works. DONDI came out with POSE against CHAIN's DOSE.

CASE 2, KEL 139, MARE, COMET, REPEL, COS 207, DURO, MIN, SHY 147, KADE 198, FED 2, REVOLT, RASTA, ZEPHYR, BOOTS 119, KIT 17, CRASH and DAZE were also active writers of the time. LEE, CAZ 2, IZ, SLAVE, REE, DONDI, BLADE and COMET became very competitive in the whole car arena. SEEN, MAD, PJ and DUST dominated the 6 line with elaborate whole cars. MITCH 77, BAN 2, BOO 2, PBODY, MAX 183, and KID 56 ruled the 4 line. FUZZ ONE was a major presence on all 7 IRT lines. CIA, TB and TKA ensured that the BMTs were not deprived of style.

In 1980 The real buff started up again pieces ran for shorter periods. Train yard fence repair was becoming more consistent. Writers slowly started to quit and consider other creative options. Many writers became distracted with thoughts about careers beyond painting subway cars. The established art world was once again becoming receptive to writing. There hadn't been much positive attention since the Razor Gallery in the early '70s. In 1979 LEE QUINONES and FAB 5 FREDDIE had an opening in Rome with the art dealer Claudio Bruni. Then in 1980 numerous writers flocked to places like ESSES studio, Stephan Eins' Fashion Moda and Patti Astor's Fun Gallery to expand their horizons. These and subsequent galleries would prove to be an important factors in expanding writing overseas. European art dealers became aware of the movement and were very receptive to the new art form. Shows featuring paintings by DONDI, LEE, ZEPHYR, LADY PINK, DAZE, FUTURA 2000 and others exposed the world to the once secret world of New York's youth.


SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST 1982-1985
During the early to mid 1980s the writing culture deteriorated dramatically due to several factors. Some related directly to the graffiti culture itself and others to the greater society in general. The crack cocaine epidemic was taking its toll on the inner city. Due to the drug trade powerful firearms were readily available. The climate on the street became increasingly tense. Laws restricting the sale of paint to minors and requiring merchants to place spray paint in locked cages made shoplifting more difficult. Legislation was in the works to make penalties for graffiti more severe.

The major change was the increase in the Metropolitan Transit Authority's anti-graffiti budget. Yards and lay-ups were more closely guarded. Many favored painting areas became almost inaccessible. New more sophisticated fences were erected and were quickly repaired when damaged. Graffiti removal was stronger and more consistent than ever, making the life span of many paintings months if not days. This frustrated many writers causing them to quit.

Many others were not so easily discouraged, yet they were still affected. They perceived the new circumstances as a challenge; it reinforced their determination not to be defeated by the MTA. Due to the lack or resources they became extremely territorial and aggressive, claiming ownership to yards and lay-ups. Claiming territory was nothing new in writing, but the difference at this time was that threats were enforced. If a writer went to lay-up unarmed he could almost be guaranteed to be beaten and robbed of his painting supplies.

At this point, physical strength and unity as in street gangs became a major part of the writing experience. The One Tunnel and the Ghost yard were the back drops many for legendary conflicts. In addition to the pressure from the MTA, cross out wars among writers broke out. The most famous war being CAP MPC vs. the world. High profile writers during these years were: SKEME, DEZ, TRAP, DELTA, SHARP, SEEN TC5, SHY 147, BOE, WEST, KAZE, SPADE 127, SAK, VULCAN, SHAME, BIO, MIN, DURO, KEL, T KID, MACK, NICER, BRIM, BG 183, KENN, CEM, FLIGHT, AIRBORN, RIZE, JON 156, KYLE 156 and the X Men.


THE DIE HARDS 1985-1989
On certain subway lines graffiti removal significantly decreased because the cars servicing those lines were headed for the scrap yards. This provided a last shot for writers.

The last big surge on the 2 and 5 lines came from writers like WANE, WEN, DERO, WIPS, TKID, SENTO, CAVS, CLARK and M KAY who hit the white 5s with burners. Marker tags that soaked through the paint often blemished these burners. A trend had developed that was a definite step back for writing. Due to a lack of paint and courage to stay in a lay up for prolonged periods of time, many writers were tagging with markers on the outside of subway cars. These tags were generally poor artistic efforts. The days when writers took pride in their hand style (signature) were long gone. If it wasn't for the aforementioned writers and a few others, the art form in New York City could have officially been deemed dead.

By mid '86 the MTA was gaining the upper hand. Many writers quit and the violence subsided. Most lines were completely free of writing. The Ds, Bs, LLs, Js, Ms were among the last of the lines with running pieces. MAGOO, DOC TC5, DONDI, TRAK, DOME and DC were all highly visible writers.
Security was high and the Transit Police's new vandal squad was in full force. What was left was a handful of diehards. GHOST, SENTO, CAVS, KET, JA, VEN, REAS, SANE, SMITH were prominent figures and would keep transit writing alive.

PART 2

 THE CLEAN TRAIN MOVEMENT 1989- present
On May 12, 1989 the MTA declared a victory over graffiti. The MTA set in effect a policy of removing all marked subway cars from service. The objective being no graffiti will run. This was the birth of what is known as the Clean Train movement. There are many writers who believe subway painting is the defining act in being a writer. Walls, freights, scraps, and canvas are for fake writers. These writers refuse to give up the battle against the MTA. Even though works do not run or only run for one trip many people still write.
Short list of clean train writers: COPE2, SENTO TFP, POEM, YES2


FREIGHTS-The National Movement*
Hip Hop exploded in popularity the early '80s. Music videos featuring various aspects of NYC street culture proved very appealing. Overnight every American teenager wanted to be a New York City B Boy. MCs, breakers and writers were springing up all over the place. Outside of New York City there aren't many major urban transportation systems, but writers wanted to paint steel and have their name move. With accessibility and minimal security freight trains became a natural target. Currently writers from all over the United States and Canada bomb freight trains. The geographic roots of the freight movement are difficult to pin point but are widely thought of as a West Coast phenomenon. Active NYC based freight writers are CAVS, SEIN 5, SENTO, CAVS, CASE2, ZEPHYR and MONE
*Term coined by ZEPHYR


THE GLOBAL MOVEMENT
During the early '80s American writers were touring European art galleries and Hip Hop was gaining international popularity. European youth fell in love with New York City street culture. Henry Chalfant and Martha Cooper's book Subway Art and the films Style Wars by Tony Silver and Henry Chalfant and Wild Style by Charlie Ahearn became the foundation for European ambition. The NYC culture was being mimicked and expanded upon. Henry Chalfant and James Prigoff's book Spray Can Art documented early movements across the globe. The book proved to be an additional catalyst for the expansion of aerosol art world-wide.

By the late '80s the European movement was long established and was in full force. The second generation Europeans were forging friendships with their American idols. The Europeans thirsted to paint in the birthplace of the art. The Americans hosted "Pilgrimages to Mecca". Many European writers bomb New York so effectively, that people believe they are from New York.
Many New York writers also went to Europe. Some European were so willing to cater to American writers that they would provide airfare, accommodations, and paint. The bragging rights for painting with an American were priceless. For some Americans going to hit trains in Italy or Germany has become just like a trip form Brooklyn to the Bronx.


SCRAPS
In the late 1980s the MTA began a massive retirement of its flat cars from all three divisions. These cars were sent to scrap yards in Brooklyn. Despite the fact that these trains were headed for destruction, they attracted many writers. Some hit the scraps because of their passion for steel; others painted just to get a photograph of their name on a subway car, or to relive memories. Painting these cars posed no threat to the MTA, but the Transit Police's Vandal Squad eventually haunted them anyhow in hopes of catching someone on their most wanted list. The Vandal Squad knew that some of the same writers hitting the scraps also painted clean trains. Never the less writers are still attracted to the scraps.


HIGHWAYS
With increased pressure from the MTA bombing trains became more difficult. Writers discovered alternative routes to fame. Though highways lacked the motility of trains they had the advantage of being exposed to hundreds of automobiles every day. From the beginning highway writing has consisted primarily of tags and black and silver throw ups or straight letters. OE and P13 started hitting NYC highways methodically early on. Other highway kings were COPE 2, PJ, TRAK, MED and FAYDE.


THE NEW YORK STREET MOVEMENT
Along with the new school, many old school writers have come out of retirement to do works on walls. Crews like RTW, TDS, TFP and TMB are all doing extensive productions. All five boroughs are active, but the Bronx is once again taking the lead via the detailed murals of crews like, FX, KD and TAT.

Rooftops have also become an attractive target. Particularly on buildings that are visible from elevated subway lines. NATO is a frequent site in Queens as is COPE 2 in The Bronx.


PRINT
For years all documentation of writing was done by outside sources. Then in the 1980s PHASE 2 added another accomplishment to his list of firsts. He published the first zine on writing called International Graffiti Times. Since then with an increased interest in writing in general and the advent of desktop publishing there are dozens upon dozens of publications and the numbers grow daily.

One of the most positive things about these zines is that for the most part writers themselves edit them. Many writers criticize these publications saying that they are illegitimate vehicles to fame, stating " Real Writers bomb trains: not magazines". With or with out critics these zines have become a part of the culture providing another communication venue for a community who has always struggled to communicate.


VIDEO
In the late 1980s NYC writer SAN 2 aka Carl Weston began production on the ground breaking series VideoGraf. It was the first organized video documentation of writing by writers. Shortly after many similar series were produced by others around the world.

CYBER SPACE
Established in 1994 and credited as being the first organized web site focused on the documentation of Writing is Art Crimes. A few short years later there are hundreds of Writing web sites all over the world. These sites range from kids at home who have never been near a train and enjoy the safety of the internet to hard core European bombers to multimedia and graphic design firms established by writers to sites utilizing web technology as an art form.

The web is being utilized in a similar fashion in which the subway system was. People communicating across great boundaries. Bombing Cyberspace can not ever be expected to replace getting your hands dirty, but it has definitely become a facet of the writing culture.

With less of a start up cost than offset printing and computer prices going down the Web will become the most accessible means of communication for the economic group that created the art form called writing.
 

SPECAIL THANKS TO MR WIGGLES of the "rock steady crew" FOR  THE "HIP HOP TIMELINE"   

VISIT WWW.MRWIGGLES.BIZ

1940
HIP HOP MUSIC 
IN JAMAICA THE 1940'S THOMAS WONG BETTER KNOWN AS "TOM THE GREAT" SABASTIEN
BEGAN USING A BOOMING SOUND SYSTEM AND AMERICAN RECORDS TO STEEL CROWDS FROM LOCAL BANDS.

1950 
HIP HOP MUSIC 
COMPETITIONS BETWEEN TO MAJOR DJ'S IN JAMAICA LEADS TOTHE "SOUND CLASH"
COXSONE DODD'S "DOWN BEAT" -VS- DUKE REID'S "THE TROJAN"
THESE DJ'S BATTLE IT OUT WITH EXCLUSIVES AND SPEACIALS 
 

1956 
HIP HOP 
CLIVE CAMPBELL OTHER WISE KNOWN AS "DJ KOOL HERC" WAS BORN IN KINGSTON JAMAICA, AND WOULD EVENTUALLY BE KNOWN AS THE FATHER OF HIP HOP CULTURE 
WRITING (GRAFF) 
"VAUGHN BODE" CREATES THE "CHEECH WIZARD CHARACTER "THAT BECAME FAMOUS WITH WRITERS ALL OVER THE WORLD 
 

1959 
HIP HOP 
THIS IS A SECTION OF A PARAGRAPH TAKEN FROM: "The evolution of rap music in the United States by Henry A. Rhodes", WITH REFERENCES TO: Steven Haver in his book, "Hip Hop; the Illustrated History of Break Dancing, Rap Music and Graffiti,"
In 1959 Parks Commissioner Rober Moses began building an expressway through the heart of the Bronx. As a result, the 
middle class Italian, German, Irish, and Jewish neighborhoods disappeared overnight. In addition, businesses and factories 
relocated and left this borough. These exiting middle classes and businesses were replaced by poor black and Hispanic 
families. Accompanying these poor people were crime, drug addiction, and unemployment.
http://www.hiphopcity.com/history

/evolutionofrap.htm 
 

1962
HIP HOP MUSIC 
"JAMES BROWN" RECORDS THE "LIVE AT THE APOLLO (LP)" THAT FEATURES A DRUMMER NAMED
"CLAYTON FILLYAU".
CLAYTON'S DRUM SOUND ON THIS RECORD, INFLUENCES THE NEW DRUM SOUND KNOWN TODAY BY HIP HOPERS AS THE "BREAK BEAT"

1965
WRITING/GRAFF 
AROUND THIS TIME BROTHERS LIKE CORNBREAD OUT OF PHILADELPHIA WERE STARTING THE WRITING/ GRAFF MOVEMENT

1967
HIP HOP 
KOOL HERC MIGRATES TO THE BRONX FROM JAMAICA AT AGE 12
HE WOULD EVENTUALLY ATTEND ALFRED E SMITH HIGH SCHOOL, AND BECAUSE OF HIS SIZE AND THE FACT THAT HE WORKED OUT ALLOT. KIDS 
WOULD REFER TO HIM AS HERCULES, AND EVENTUALLY HE WOULD BECOME A WRITER AND CHANGE HIS NAME TO KOOL HERC HIP HOP /FUNK DANCE 
OAKLAND NATIVE "IRON MAN" (ALBERT MILTON) PERFORMS ON LOCAL "JAY PAYTON" TVSHOW.
HIS STYLE WAS CONCIDERED A COMBINATION OF THE JAMES BROWN SKATE WITH ELEMENTS OF PANTOMIME, WHICH WOULD LATER BE THE FORGROUNDS TO MANY OF THE FUNK STYLE DANCES.
AUDIONAUGHTS.COM 
 

1968 
HIP HOP 
AROUND THIS TIME A GANG BY THE NAME OF THE SAVAGE SEVEN WOULD HIT THE STREETS OF THE EAST BRONX AND EVENTUALLY BECOME THE BLACK SPADES, THEN THE ORGANIZATION , AND ULTIMATLY THE 
ZULU NATION HIP HOP MUSIC 
OCT. 29'th "JAMES BROWN" RECORDS A BBOY ANTHEM "GIVE IT UP OR TURN IT LOOSE"
WITH "NATE JONES" ON THE DRUMS (KING RECORDS) 
HIP HOP/ FUNK DANCE 
AROUND THIS TIME A BROTHA BY THE NAME OF "RUBBER BAND" ALONG WITH ANOTHER BROTHA BY THE NAME OF "APACHE" , BOTH FROM 
BROOKLYN, TOOK A POPULAR NEW YORK CITY GANG DANCE AND BROUGHT IT TO THE NYC DISCOS AND THUS WAS BORN THE DANCE WE KNOW TODAY 
AS "UPROCKIN", "ROCKIN", AND BECAUSE OF HOW BROOKLYN WOULD MASTER THIS DANCE, WE WOULD LATER CALL IT "THE BROOKLYN ROCK"UNITEDUPROCKERS 
 

1969
HIP HOP MUSIC 
OCT. 1st "JAMES BROWN" RECORDS THE FAMOUS SONG "SEX MACHINE"
WITH "JOHN STARKS" ON THE DRUMS (KINGRECORDS) 
NOV. 20'th "JAMES BROWN" RECORDS THE CLASSIC "FUNKY DRUMMER"
WITH THE FAMOUS "CLYDE STUBBLEFIELD" ON THE DRUMS (KING RECORDS) 
 

1970 
HIP HOP MUSIC 
THE LAST POETS PUT OUT THERE FIRST SELF TITLED ALBUM ON DOUGLAS RECORDS. THEY EVENTUALLY MAKE AN IMPACT ON HIP HOP CULTURE 
DEEJAY U-ROY HOTS JAMAICAN POP CHARTS WITH 3 SONGS IN THE TOP TEN,
FEATURING A STYLE KNOWN AS "TOASTING" ONE OF THE FOUNDATION FOR WHAT WOULD SOON BE CALLED MCing (RAP) 
HIP HOP/ FUNK DANCE 
DON CAMPBELLOCK a Trade Technical College student
accidently stumbles across creating a dance called "CAMPBELLOCKING" wich will eventually be featured on SOUL TRAIN and take 
the world by storm. 
AROUND THIS TIME IN OAKLAND CAL. GROUPS LIKE "THE BLACK MESSENGERS" AND "THE BLACK RESURGENCE" (GROUPS THAT PERFORMED FOR THE 
BLACK PANTHERS AND RALLIES DEALING WITH THE BLACK POWER MOVEMENT) WERE DEVELOPING AND INNOVATING A STYLE OF DANCE BASED ON 
R.O.T.C . DRILLS TO MUSIC, THEY WOULD ALSO CREATE A STYLE CALLED CATCH ON THAT WOULD FURTHER ADVANCE THERE STYLE OF ROUTINES. 
THESE ARE THE MORE GROUND WORKS TO STICKIN, STEPIN, AND MANY OTHER FORMS OF FUNK DANCE. 
 

1971 
HIP HOP MUSIC 
"ARETHA FRANKLIN" RECORDS THE FAMOUS BBOY SONG "ROCK STEADY"
WITH "BERNARD PURDIE" ON DRUMS 
WRITING/GRAFF 
AROUND THIS TIME A YOUNG GREEK KID GOT INSPIRED BY SEEING "JULIO 205" TAG, THE HE DECIDED TO PUT HIS NICK NAME NEXT TO A 183 
STREET SIGN AND THUS WAS BORN THE FAMOUS "TAKI 183"

"TAKI 183" DOES AN INTERVIEW FOR THE NY TIMES WHICH SETS OFF A WRITING SPREE 
 

1972 
HIP HOP MUSIC 
MAY 9'th "JAMES BROWN" RECORDS A SONG THAT WAS A LINK TO BBOYIN " GET ON THE GOOD FOOT"
WITH DRUMMER " JOHN STARKS"

JIMMY CASTOR BUNCH RELEASE A BBOY ANTHEM
"IT'S JUST BEGUN" (RCA) 
RUFUS THOMAS RELEASES "DO THE FUNKY PENGUIN" (STAX) 
WRITING (GRAFF) 
EVA62,HARRY89, JUNIOR161, CAY161, AND CC10 PAINTED WHAT IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST PAINTINGS TO DATE ON A BRAODWAY LINE SUBWAY 
STATION. 
THE SOUL ARTISTS CAME TO GHETTO FAME
Tracy 158, Futura 2000 and Ali 
"SUPERKOOL223" DID WHAT IS NOTED AS THE FIRST "MASTER PIECE"
HE WOULD FURTHER HIS PIONEERING ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITH WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST TOP TO BOTTOM PIECE (" HONDO" ADDED TO THIS 
ACCOMPLISHMENT AS WELL), SUPER KOOL ALSO PUT THE FIRST OVEN CLEANER CAP ON A SPRY CAN TO MAKE WIDER SPRAYING. THUS WAS BORN 
THE PHAT CAP

HUGO MARTINEZ STARTS UNITED GRAFFITI ARTISTS 
TRACY 168 THE INVENTOR OF THE WORD "WILD STYLE" STARTS A MAJOR WRITING CREW CALLED "WANTED" 
HIP HOP/ FUNK DANCE 
THE BLACK MESSENGERS PERFORM ON THE "GONG SHOW". BUT BECAUSE OF THE CONTRAVERSY OVER THERE NAME, THEY WERE ONLY ALOWED TO 
PERFROMUNDER THE ALIAS "MECHANICAL DEVICES". 
SOUL TRAIN TAKES OFF ON TV 
 

1973 
HIP HOP / HIP HOP MUSIC 
"DJ KOOLHERC'S" FIRST JAM 1520 SEDGWICK AVE. ,BRONX, NYC
IT WOULD BE FOR HIS SISTERS BIRTHDAY PARTY
HIS STYLE OF MUSIC WAS MADE TO GET THE CROWD JUMPIN, HE DID THAT BY BUYING TO COPIES OF EACH RECORD AND ELONGATING THE BREAK 
PART (THE FUNKY DRUM SOLO SECTION) OF THE RECORD BY MIXING IN BOTH RECORDS BEFORE THE BREAK WOULD END. THUS WAS BORN WHAT WE 
CALL TODAY "BREAK BEATS' 
THE REGGAE MOVIE "THE HARDER THEY COME"
STARING JIMMY CLIFF FEATURES THE TALENTED "SCOTTY" TOASTING ON THE SOUNDTRACK. 
"THE ZULU NATION" WAS FOUNDED BY A YOUNG STUDENT OF STEVENSON HIGH SCHOOL, IN THE BRONX NAMED "AFRIKA BAMBAATA"
ORIGINAL A BBOY CREW CALLED THE "ZULU KINGS" 
HERCS FIRST DJ JOB AT A CLUB CALLED THE TWILIGHT ZONE 
BOB MARLEY AND THE WAILERS RELEASE THERE BREAKTHROUGH LP
"CATCH FIRE" 
THE JAMAICAN GROUP MICHAEL VINER'S THE INCREDIBLE BONGO BAND RELEASE A BBOY ANTHEM WITH THE HIP HOP HIT RECORD
"APACHE" (PRIDE RECORDS) ON THE "BONGO ROCK" ALBUM
THIS ONE TIME MOTWON SESSION GROUP WICH WAS RUMMORED TO HAVE BEEN THE BAND BEHINDTHE TEMPTATION'S "CLUOD NINE" WOULD MAKE A 
COVER OF THE SHADOW'S "APACHE" AND BLOW IT UP TO ONE OF THE GREATEST (IF NOT THE GREATEST) BBOY ANTHEM OF ALL TIME

THE RECORD "HUSTLERS CONVENTION" WAS RECORDED BY LIGHTNIN ROD OF THE LAST POETS 
WRITING (GRAFF) 
NEW YORK MAGAZINE DOES AN ARTICLE ON WRITING THAT FEATURED A DRAWING DONE IN BUFFALO MARKERS BY "SNAKE1" AND AN "EL MARKO" 
TAG OUTLINED WITH A BALL POINT PEN BY "STAY HIGH" WHICH HELPED TO SPARK THE USE OF BLACK BOOKS. AND GIVES AN AWARD TO TAKI 
FOR BEST PIECE. 
HIP HOP/ FUNK DANCE 
AROUND THIS TIME YOUNG DANCERS WOULD HIT THE PARTIES THAT KOOL HERC WAS PLAYING AT AND THE MUSIC THAT HERC PLAYED INSPIRED 
THESE YOUNG CATS TO DO MOVES THAT WOULD LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR HIP HOP DANCE. HERC SEEING THESE YOUNG DANCERS WOULD 
EVENTUALLY CALL THEM "BBOYS" (AS WELL AS PEOPLE WHO WOULD SHOW UP TO JAMS AND BREAK SH&T UP)
WHICH WOULD LATER BE INTERPRETED AS BREAK BOYS, BEAT BOYS, OR BRONX BOYS.
SUCH NOTABLE DANCERS WERE KLARK KENT, THE NIGGA TWINS, SAU SAU, TRICKSIE, JAMES BOND, THE AMAZING BOBO, EL DORADO MIKE, AND 
MANY MORE. 
SOMEHWERE DURING THIS ERA A LEGENDARY BATTLE TAKES PLACE BETWEEN TWO OF THE TOP BBOYS OF ALL TIME.
SAU SAU -VS- TRICKSIE
THE OUT COME WAS SAID TO BE SAU SAU WINNING IN A GREAT BATTLE 
 

1974
HIP HOP MUSIC 
JUL.17'th "JAMES BROWN" RECORDS THE SONG THAT BECAME THE FOUNDATION FOR DRUM PROGRAMING FOR RAP RECORDS. "FUNKY PRESIDENT"
WITH "ALLAN SCHWARTZBERG" ON THE DRUMS 
AROUND THIS TIME ONE OF HIP HOP'S ALL TIME CROWD PLEASER DJ/ MC'S "LOVE BUG STARSKI" STARTED MAKIN REFERENCES TO THIS CULTURE 
USING THE WORDS 
"HIP HOP"
ACCORDING TO LEGENDS LIKE "BAMBATTA", STARSKI IS ONE OF THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WORD HIP HOP AS A SLANG AND A NAME FOR 
THIS CULTURE. 
WRITING (GRAFF) 
NYC's MTA FIGHTS BACK AGAINST WRITING BY STARTING A WAR ON GRAFF 
HIP HOP AND FUNK DANCE 
MICHEAL JACKSON DOES HIS FAMOUS ROBOT TO "DANCING MACHINE" 
 

1975 
HIP HOP 
HERCS GETS A JOB DJ'ING AT THE CLUB HE WAS AFTER. THE" HEVALO CLUB" IN THE BRONX 
AROUND THIS TIME HERC WOULD GET A BROTHA BY THE NAME OF COKE LA ROCK TO SAY CROWD PLEASER RHYMES ON THE MIC WHICH WOULD THEN 
LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR MC'IN OR LATER KNOWN AS RAP 
HIP HOP MUSIC 
"DJ GRAND WIZARD THEODORE" INVENTS THE SCRATCH WHILE TRYING TO HOLD A RECORD IN PLACE WHILE HIS MOTHER WAS YELLING AT HIM. 
THE NEEDLE WAS STILL ON THE RECORD SO IT MADE THAT SHIGA SHIGA SOUND WHICH HE LATER ON TURNED INTO THE SCRATCH. 
WRITING/GRAFF 
GRAFF CULT HERO, AND UNDERGROUND COMIC BOOK LEGEND "VAUGHN BODE" DIES, BUT HIS LEGEND WILL LIVE WITH GRAFF WRITERS FOR 
ETERNITY

1976 
HIP HOP 
THE MERCEDES LADIES WERE FOUNDED, THEY WOULD PAVE THE WAY FOR FEMALE MC'S
Baby D, Sherri-Sher,RD Smiley,Zina-Zee,DJ LaSpank,Eve-a-Def 
The Mercedes Ladies were the sister group to the Original L'Brothers. DJ Grandwizard Theodore, Mean Gene, Busy Bee Starski, 
(not Lovebug) Ruby Dee, Waterbed Kevie Kev, Master Rob. We were DJ Baby Dee, DJ RD Smiley, DJ La Spank, MC Sherri-Sher, MC 
Eve-a-Def, MC Zina Zee. We became honorary Zulu Queens in 1978 because the Queens had beef with us and thought we didn't 
respect Lisa Lee. (Not True.. We dug Lisa) Bam deaded that by making us ZULU Queens so there could never be beef... 
DJ AFRIKA BAMBAATAA PLAYS AT THE BRONX RIVER CENTER 
TDK, TBB, AND ROCKWELL -VS- STARCHILD LA ROCK (FEATURINGTRAC 2, SPY AND JOJO) WITH THE HELP OF JOJO AND SPY'S PATTENTED 
SHOE SHINE RUTENE, STARCHILD TOOK THE BATTLE 
 

1977
HIP HOP MUSIC 
THE CRASH CREW WAS FORMED IN HARLEM NEW YORK. E.K. Mike C,La Shubee, Barry Bistro, G-man, Reggie Reg, DJ Darryl C. 
DJ KOOL HERC WAS NEARLY STABBED TO DEATH AT ONE OF HIS PARTIES 
PARLIAMENT RELEASES THE FUNK HIT "FLASHLIGHT" (CASABLANCA) 
KRAFTWERK A GERMANBAND RELEASES THE FAMED SONG TRAN EUROPE EXPRESS
WHICH WOULD LATER BE THE FOUNDATION FOR AFRIKA BAMBAATAA'S ELECTRO FUNK SOUND 
WRITING/GRAFF 
THE TRANSIT AUTHORITY STARTS A MAJOR BUFF IN A CONEY ISLAND TRAIN YARD WITCH WOULD COST THEM $400.000.00 ANNUALLY. THEY USED 
A CHEMICAL MIX OF PETROLEUM HYDROXIDE. WHICH WAS REFEREED TO AS ORANGE CRUSH BY WRITERS (NAMED AFTER AGENT ORANGE, WHICH WAS 
USED IN THE VIETNAM WAR) 
HIP HOP/FUNK DANCE 
THE FAMED "ROCK STEADY CREW" WAS FORMED BY ORIGINAL MEMBERS "JOJO", "JIMMY DEE" 
AROUND THIS TIME A PIONEERING GROUP FROM WHICH A BROTHA BY THE NAME OF" BOOGALOO SAM" (WHO CREATED THE DANCE CALLED POPPIN AS 
WE KNOW IT TODAY WITH IT'S ROOTS IN THE WEST COAST FUNK STYLES THAT CAME BEFORE THEM ) 
ALONG WITH MEMBERS TICKIN WILL, SCARECROW SCALLY, CREEPIN CID, POPIN PETE, TWISTI FLEX DON, PUPPET BOOZER, ROBOT DANE, 
SKEETER RABBIT, AND MANY OTHERS, THEY FORMED THE GROUP
"THE ELECTRIC BOOGALOOS"
(note: also...POPPIN is reffered to as the continous flexing of the muscles to the beat...not waving, tutting, botting, 
filmore, strutting, sacing, or other styles that SAm and the EB's did not create) 
 

1978
HIP HOP MUSIC 
THE DISCO FEVER OPENS IT'S DOORS AND BEACOMES A POPULAR HIP HOP CLUB IN THE BRONX 
WHIPPER WHIP AND DOT ROCK FORMED A GROUP CALLED "THE GESTAPO CREW", WHICH WOULD LATER LEAD THEM TO CREATING ONE OF THE 
GREATEST MC CREWS OF ALL TIME
"THE FANTASTIC FIVE MC'S"
Grand Wizard Theodore (Theodore Livingston) Waterbed Kev (Kevin Strong) Master Rob (Robin Strong) 
Dot-A-Rock (Darryl Mason) Prince Whipper Whip (James Whipper) Ruby Dee (Rubin Garcia) 
A COMPANY NAMED ROLAND CREATES THE 808 DRUM MACHINE 
HIP HOP DANCE 
"BREAKIN/ BBOYIN" BEGINS TO DIE DOWN IN THE BRONX AND MANHATTAN GHETTOS. 
AROUND THIS TIME "THE ELECTRIC BOOGALOOS" WOULD DO A PERFORMANCE ON "SOUL TRAIN" THAT WOULD EXPLODE ALL OVER THE WORLD, WHERE 
EVEN A YOUNG MICHAEL JACKSON WOULD EVEN ASK THEM TO TEACH HIM. 
 

1979
HIP HOP MUSIC 
GRAND MASTER FLASH FORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST MC CREWS OF ALL TIME
"GRAND MASTER FLASH AND THE FURIOUS FIVE MC'S"
Grandmaster Flash (Joseph Saddler) Melle Mel (Melvin Glover) Kidd Creole (Nathaniel Glover) Cowboy(Keith Wiggins) Rahiem (Guy 
Williams) Mr. Ness aka Scorpio (Eddie Morris) 
ANOTHER ONE OF THE GREATEST MC GROUPS OF ALL TIME WAS FORMED
"THE COLD CRUSH FOUR" CHARLIE CHASE, TONY TONE, GRAND MASTER CAZ, EASY AD, JDL, AND ALMIGHTY KG 
(SPRING) FIRST RAP RECORD EVER RECORDED BY A NON RAP GROUP
"KING TIM III (PERSONALITY JOCK)"
BY THE FATBACK BAND 
FIRST RAP HIT RECORD
"RAPPERS DELIGHT"
BY THE SUGARHILL GANG 
FIRST HIP HOP RADIO SHOW "MR. MAGIC'S DISCO SHOWCASE WHBI"
IN NYC 
THE MC GROUP FUNKY FOUR PLUS ONE MORE IS FORMED KK Rockwell (Kevin Smith) Keith Keith (Keith Caesar)Lil'Rodney Cee (Rodney 
Stone) Jazzy Jeff (Jeffrey Myree) Sha Rock (Sharon Green)
THEY WOULD LATER RELEASE TWO CLASSIC SONGS "RAPPIN AND ROCKIN THE HOUSE" AND THE ALL TIME GREAT "THATS THE JOINT" 
WRITING/ GRAFF 
"MARK BODE" (THE SON OF LEGENDARY ARTIST "VAUGHN BODE") STARTS WORKING AT AGE 15 FOR HEAVY METAL MAGAZINE AND CONTINUES HIS 
DADS LEGACY 
HE ALSO STAYS CONNECTED WITH THE GRAFF WORLD THAT EMBRACED HIS FATHER AS WELL AS HIS OWN WORK. VAUGHN & MARK BODE

HIP HOP/FUNK DANCE 
A YOUNG CRAZY LEGS AND HIS COUSIN LENNY LEN BATTLE JIMMY DEE (THE ORIGINAL PRESIDENT OF ROCK STEADY CREW) AND JIMMY LEE TO 
GET INTO ROCK STEADY.
THEY LOST BUT THE MADE IT IN THE CREW. 
AT THIS TIME IN THE BRONX "BREAKIN/ BBOYIN" IS CONSIDERED PLAYED OUT.
BUT NOT FOR LONG. 
 

1980 
HIP HOP 
SAT. NOV. 15, JAM AT ECSTASY GARAGE FEATURING GW THE ADORE, FANTASTIC 5, KOOL DJ AJ, BUZY BEE STARSKI, MEAN GENE, GREGSKI, 
MERCEDES LADIES, FANTASY 4, EROTIC DISCO BROTHAS, AND MORE

DEC/ 19 "A SLAM DUNK DISCO" JAM FEATURING SHA ROCK (OF THE FUNKY 4)-VS-LIL' BIT (OF THE MEAN MACHINE),AND GM CAZ (OF COLD 
CRUSH 4)-VS-CHIEF ROCKER STARSKI AND MORE.

HIP HOP MUSIC 
ZAPP RELEASES A FUNK ANTHEM FOR POPPERS IN THE WEST COAST
"MORE BOUNCE TO THE OUNCE" (WARNER BROS.) 
THE PUNK GROUP BLONDIE RELEASED THE RECORD "RAPTURE" WHICH FEATURED LEAD SINGER DEBBIE HARRY DOING WHAT SHE CONSIDERED RAP. 
BUT BY MAKING MENTION OF LEGIT HIP HOPERS AS FAB 5 FREDDIE AND GRAND MASTER FLASH, THE SONG IS WIDELY EXCEPTED IN THE HIP HOP 
COMMUNITY, AND HELPS TO FUSE THE PUNK AND HIP HOP SCENE TOGETHER. 
AFRIKA BAMBAATA RELEASED "ZULU NATION THROW DOWN PT. 1" ON PAUL WINLEY RECORDS 
WRITING/GRAFF 
FAB FIVE FREDDY PAINTS THE FAMOUS TOP TO BOTTOM "CAMPBELL SOUP CANS" ON THE IRT LINE 
SEEN PAINTED THE "HAND OF DOOM" TOP TO BOTTOM WHOLE CAR 
DONDI PAINTED "THE CHILDREN OF THE GRAVE" 2,3' TOP TO BOTTOM WHOLE CAR 
HIP HOP/ FUNK DANCE 
(THE NEW YORK POST REPORTS) THE HIGH TIMES CREW WAS ARRESTED FOR BBOYIN IN A WASHINGTON HEIGHTS TRAIN STATION. 
THE TALKING HEADS UTILIZE THE SKILLS OF ONE OF THE GREAT POPPERS OF ALL TIME
"POPIN PETE"
IN ONE OF THE FIRST MUSIC VIDEOS TO FEATURE A FUNK STYLE DANCER 
 

1981 
HIP HOP MUSIC 
FUNKY 4 PLUS ONE MORE MAKE THE FIRST NATIONAL TV APPEARANCE ON NBC'S SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE 
"COLD CRUSH 4" -VS-" FANTASTIC 5" AT HARLEM WORLD WITH FANTASTIC WINNING A CLOSE AND CONTROVERSIAL BATTLE 
GRAND MASTER FLASH RELEASES ONE OF THE GREATEST DJ RECORDS OF ALL TIME
"THE ADVENTURES OF GRAND MASTER FLASH ON THE WHEELS OF STEEL" 
MARCH 6, "FLASH-VS-CRASH" JAM, AT THE AUDOBON BALLROOM
ALSO FEATURING DJ AJ, AFRIKA BAMBAATA, SOULSONIC FORCE, COSMIC FORCE, AND FANTASTIC 5

DJ. WHIZ KID (RIP, NYC) WINS NEW MUSIC SEMINAR DJ BATTLE 
AT THE AGE OF 36 BOB MARLEY DIES OF CANCER 
GRAFF 
NOC PAINTED THE FAMOUS "STYLE WARS" TOP TO BOTTOM WHOLE CAR 
AN ART GALLERY CALLED "FASHION MODA" WAS UP AND RUNNING EXHIBITS ON 3RD AVE. IN THE BRONX
FEATURING ARTISTS LIKE CRASH, LEE, DAZE, KEL, SHY 147 AND MANY MORE. 
Duro Cia becomes the first graffiti artist to be interview for a tv speacial channel 2 the summer 1981along with Crash and 
Lady Pink

HIP HOP/ FUNK DANCE 
THE FAMOUS BATTLE ROCK STEADY CREW -VS- DYNAMIC ROCKERS AT LINCOLN CENTER, WHICH WAS COVERED BY "NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC"
THIS BATTLE HELPED BRING BBOYIN TO THE MAINSTREAM. 
ROD STEWART FEATURES A TOP LOCKER/ POPPER "COOL POCKETS" OF THE "CHAIN REACTION" DANCE GROUP
IN HIS HIT VIDEO "YOUNG TURKS" 
 

1982 
HIP HOP 
ABC'S 20/20 PRODUCES AN EPISODE THAT TAKES A LOOK AT THIS NEW CULTURAL PHENOMENON NOW NAMED HIP HOP CULTURE BY AFRIKA 
BAMBAATA 
CHARLIE AHEARN FILMED "WILD STYLE" THE MOVIE THAT FEATURED HIP HOP IN IT'S PUREST FORM.
WITH LEGENDS LIKE, ROCK STEADY, ELECTRIC FORCE, LOOSE BRUCE AND PAULIE GEE, DOUBLE TROUBLE, COLD CRUSH 4, FANTASTIC 5, BUZY 
BEE STARSKI, LEE, PINK, DAZE, CRASH, ZEPHYR, 

THE "ROXY ROLLER RINK" ON 18TH ST. IS TRANSFORMED INTO ONE OF THE GREATEST HIP HOP CLUBS OF ALL TIMES.PROMOTED BY "KOOL LADY 
BLUE" (MANEGER OF RSC). THIS CLUB WILL LINK THE DOWNTOWN CROWD ALONG WITH THE PUNK SCENE AND THREW IT IN WITH THE RUFF AND 
RUGGED HIP HOP SCENE.

"THE NEW YORK CITY RAP TOUR" TAKES OFF FOR EUROPE
AFRIKA BAMBAATA, ROCK STEADY, PHASE 2,THE DOUBLE DUTCH GIRLS, GRAND MIXER DST AND THE INFINITY RAPPERS, FAB 5 
FREDDY,RAMMELLZEE, FUTURA 2,000, AND DONDI TAKE EUROPE BY STORM. 
THE FILMING OF THE UNDERGROUND EUROPEAN FILM
"BREAKOUT"
TOOK PLACE FEATURING THE ELECTRIC COMPANY, ELECTRIC FORCE, CRASH CREW, MC DEBBIE D, WANDA D, GRAND MIXER DST AND THE INFINITY 
RAPPERS

HIP HOP MUSIC 
"KOOL MOE DEE" BATTLES AND HUMILIATES "BUZY BEE" AND BECOMES ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS OLD SCHOOL BATTLES OF ALL TIME 
IN MAY AFRIKA BAMBAATA AND THE SOUL SONIC FORCE (MC GLOBE, POWWOW, AND MR. BIGGS) RELEASE THE FAMOUS RECORD "PLANET ROCK" ON 
THE TOMMY BOY LABEL, REPLACING THE MORE TRADITIONAL BREAK BEAT ERA WITH THE NEW KRAFTWORK STYLE MUSIC MIXED WITH HIP HOP 
CALLED "ELECTRO FUNK"

GRAND MIXER DST(NYC) WINS NEW MUSIC SEMINAR DJ BATTLE 
GRAFF 
PRINT MAGAZINE FEATURES A SPREAD ON martha cooper PICTURES 
January 1982 the first over seas issue of print magazine show case graffiti artist which lee tf5 appear on the front cover. 
Duro, Dondi, Crash, Shy 147, Daze, Futrue, zephyr, haze, Ail soul artist the start of a globe graffiti movement.

HIP HOP/FUNK DANCE 
ROCK STEADY PERFORMS IN THE ORIGINAL NIGHT CLUB "THE RITZ" ALONG WITH BOW WOW WOW, AND AFRIKA BAMBAATA AND THE JAZZY 5, ON 
THIS NIGHT RSC ALSO BECAME PART OF THE ZULU KINGS. 
ROCK STEADY CREW PERFORMED IN THE FAMOUS DISCO "STUDIO54" FOR THE FAMED ARTIST "ANTONIO LOPEZ" 
KIPPY DEE, RAVI, KING KIETH, FROSTY FREEZE, CRAZY LEGS, RIP 7, KEN SWIFT, MR FREEZE,AND ALSO MR WIGGLES IN HIS FIRST 
PERFORMANCE WITH RSC. 
KEN SWIFT AND CRAZY LEGS GET INTO AN ARGUMENT AT ROCK STEADY PARK, AND BATTLE IT OUT ON THE CONCRETE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 
HALF COURT,
PVERALL CONSENSUS: KEN SWIFT IMPRESSES THE ONLOOKERS WICH INCLUDE MEMBERS OF SALSOUL, AND SOME ROCK STEADY. 
ROCK STEADY CREW'S POPPIN SQUAD "THE ELECTRIC COMPANY" BATTLES DOUBLE TROUBLE'S "ELECTRIC FORCE" AT CLUB "NEGRIL"
ELECTRIC COMPANY SIDE SIDE: KIPPY DEE, RAVI, KING KIETH, MR FREEZE, WIGGLES AND FABEL
ELECTRIC FORCE SIDE: LIL SPUT, EASY AL, JESSIE, LIL MARKY CEE 
ROCK STEADY CREW SPLIT UP INTO TWO GROUPS, ONE HALF WENT ON TO FILM THE FAMOUS SCENES IN THE MOVIE FLASH DANCE
THE OTHER HALF WENT ON TO FILM SCENES IN A MOVIE CALLED "PORTFOLIO" FEATURING THE WORLD RENOWN PUERTO RICAN FASHION ARTIST 
"ANTONIO LOPEZ" THAT WAS LATER SHELVED 
SUGAR POP FROM THE "ELECTRIC BOOGALOO" VISITS NEW YORK AND HOOKS UP WITH MR. FREEZE, MR. WIGGLES, FABEL, POWERFUL PEX, FLIP 
ROCK AND LIL LEP. FROM THERE THE CROSS COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN EAST AND WEST COAST DANCE BEGIN. IN WIGGLE'S HALLWAY IN THE 
BRONX THEY BEGIN TO TRADE INFORMATION AND DANCE STYLES , AND TAUGHT SUGAR POP ORIGINAL BBOY STYLES THUS MAKING HIM THE FIRST 
WEST COAST BBOY AND THE FIRST PERSON TO BRING BBOYIN TO CALI. 
 

1983
HIP HOP 
THE "WILD STYLE TOUR" TAKES OFF FOR JAPAN
FEATURING COLD CRUSH FOUR, ROCK STEADY CREW, 
FIRST EVER REAL HIP HOP SHOW TOURS LA, SPONSORED BY CELULOID RECORDS,FEATURING PHASE 2, DST, INFINITY RAPPERS, LIL LEP, MR 
WIGGLES, AND AFRIKA ISLAM. 
THE FABULOUS FUNK FANATICS PRESENT
"BRONX HIGH SCHOOL ROCKATHON JAM"
FEATURINGWHIZ KID (RIP), INFINITY RAPPERS, DEBBIE D, DST, DJ SWAN, NYC BREAKERS, COLD CRUSH 4, THE FORCE MC'S,GW 
THEADORE,FABEL AND WIGGLES, THE HERCULORDS AND MORE

HIP HOP MUSIC 
"GRAND MIXER DST" LENDS HIS SKILLS TO LEGENDARY MUSICIAN HERBIE HANDCOCK TO RECORD THE TOP HIT "ROCKIT" 
THE SON OF BAMBATTA "DJ AFRIKA ISLAM" STARTS HIS OWN HIP HOP RADIO SHOW BASED ON ORIGINAL BREAK BEATS AND RAW MIXES CALLED
"ZULU BEATS" ON WHBI 
DJ AFRIKA ISLAM WINS NEW MUSIC SEMINAR DJ BATTLE (LA) 
GRAFF 
STYLE WARS AIRED ON PBS
A DOCUMENTARY THAT FOCUSED ON WRITERS OF THAT PERIOD. WRITERS LIKE:
MIN, DONDI , DURO CIA, SHY 147 ROC, CAP, CASE 2, MARE 149, SKEME, SEEN AND MANY OTHERS
THE FILM ALSO FEATURED FOOTAGE FROM A BATTLE BETWEEN ROCK STEADY AND DYNAMIC ROCKERS 
MR WIGGLES AND HIS FRIEND WITNESS THE POLICE BEATING OF GRAFF WRITER MICHAEL STEWART WHO LATER DIED IN THE HOSPITAL.
we were coming out of the underground night club and saw the police beating him and he was screaming loud so the police beat 
him more, we walked by and stoped and Willie said wait a minute this aint right, but the police cut him off and said get the 
fuck out of here or we'll do this to you. so we left. and thenext thing we know the news was splattered with the murder of 
MICHAEL STEWART. Willie tried to call the news and stuff but they claimed they already had enough wittnesses. 
HIP HOP/FUNK DANCE 
ROCK STEADY CREW WERE FEATURED IN THE MOVIE "FLASH DANCE" 
ROCK STEADY CREW WAS FEATURED IN THE FAMOUS "BUFFALO GALS" VIDEO BY "MALCOLM McLAREN" 
GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS FEATURE TOP BBOY CREW "NEW YORK CITY BREAKERS"
IN THERE HIT VIDEO "SAVE THE OVER TIME FOR ME" 
TOP NYC HIP HOP DANCERS PERFORM AT THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS, HONORING "CATHERINE DUNHAM"
FEATURED IN THIS PERFORMANCE WAS, MR. WIGGLES AND FABEL (MAGNIFICENT FORCE), ACTION, KID NICE, GLIDE MASTER, FLIP ROCK, LIL 
LEP, POWERFUL PEX, AND MR. WAVE (NYC BREAKERS), LIL NORMSKI, ACTIVITY, THE DYNAMIC DOLLS, AND A FEW OTHER DANCERS.

"CRAZY LEGS" ( ROCK STEADY CREW) -BATTLES- "LIL LEP" ( NEW YORK CITY BREAKERS) IN A CLUB IN THE BRONX. 
LEGS SENDS SOMEONE FROM HIS CAMP OVER TO LEP AND SAYS LEGS WANTS TO BATTLE YOU, LEP AGREES, THEY BOTH GO AT IT MOVE FOR MOVE 
THEN LEP THROWS A ONE SHOT HEADS SPIN, LEGS ANSWERS BACK WITH ONE OF HIS OWN, THEN BEFORE LEP CAN PUT HIS WRIST BAND UP TO DO 
A 1990, LEGS THROWS IT FIRST. 
BOOGALOO SHRIMP (TURBO), POP N TACO, AND SHABADOO (OZONE) ARIVE IN NYC ON TOUR WITH LIONEL RICHIE AND HOOK UP WITH MR WIGGLES 
(magnificent force, rock steady crew), FABEL(magnificent force, rock steady crew), AND PEX(nyc breakers). 
we practice in there hotel and exchange styles and ideas. it was a meeting grounds where we actually taught and influenced 
each other before the movies were done. we taught them some breakin and up rockin (you can see the influenece in shrimps 
footwork and when Shabadoo and Shrimp uprocked on the beach in the movie "BREAKIN") and we explained more detail and history 
of the culture from graffiti to mcin and terminologies. and in return they also taught us poppin and lockin and showed us how 
to dress (and you can see in the santa clause scene at the burning spear where we dressed like them when we were poppin in 
"BEAT STREET") after the practice sessions we all performed for Lionel Richies after show party and continued influencing 
each other before the movies were filmed. 
 

1984 
HIP HOP 
THE MOVIE "BEAT STREET" CAME OUT AND FEATURED ROCK STEADY CREW, MAGNIFICENT FORCE, NEW YORK CITY BREAKERS, SHANGO, KOOL HERC, 
TREACHEROUS 3, DOUGIE FRESH,AND MANY MORE LEGENDS... 
THE MOVIE "BREAKIN" WAS RELEASED WICH FEATURED AN ALL WEST COAST LINE UP. STARING SHABADOO, BOOGALOO SHRIMP, IT ALSO FEATURED 
POPIN PETE, POP N TACO, ICE T, AND MANY OTHERS. 
HIP HOP MUSIC 
DJ CHEESE WINS NEW MUSIC SEMINAR DJ BATTLE (PHILLY) 
WRITING (GRAFF) 
HENRY CHALFAUNT ALONG WITH MARTHA COOPER PRODUCED THE FAMOUS GRAFF BOOK "SUBWAY ART" 
1984 Duro Cia becomes the first graffiti artist to appears on the front cover of a book call "Getting Up" subway graffiti in 
new york city by craig castlman 
time line in 1981 Duro Cia, Shy147, Crash, Lady Pink Ali sa, meets with the chairman of the mta where they declear war with 
transit and art :vs: transit was born. 
HIP HOP/ FUNK DANCE 
both movies "BEAT STREET", and "BREAKIN" were released and major tours began all over the world. It was in France that the 
BEAT STREET tour finally clashed with the BREAKIN tour. we all went to a club in Paris. we jamed all night and continued the 
exchange of respect and culture. and as NYC bboys we were very impressed with SHRIMPS footwork at the time. 
CHAKA KHAN FEATURED BOOGALOO SHRIMP, SHABADOO, AND POP N TACO
IN HER HIT VIDEO "I FEEL FOR YOU" 
KLYMAX FEATURES AN ALL TIME GREAT POPPER POP N TACO 
IN THE "MEETING IN THE LADIES ROOM VIDEO" 
FAST BREAK ( MAGNIFICENT FORCE) -BATTLES CRAZY- CRAZY LEGS(RSC) DURING THE FILMING OF THE BATTLE SCENE OF THE MOVIE BEAT 
STREET. THEY GET INTO A SHORT BUT HEATED BATTLE WITH BOTH THROWING ALOT OF FOOTWORK, FAST BREAK DOES SOME TOP ROCK AND THEN 
YELLS "COMBINATIONS FOR THE NATIONS CRAZY LEGS" AND JUMPS INTO A CLASSIC FAST BREAK RUN,LEGS ANSWERS BACK WITH AN AMAZING RUN 
OF HIS OWN, THEN IVEY ICE JUMPS IN A THROWS SOME POWER COMBINATIONS AND THE CYPHER ENDS. 
"KEN SWIFT"(ROCK STEADY CREW) - BATTLES- "ACTION" (NYC BREAKERS) DURING THE BEAT STREET TOUR IN FRANCE. THE OUT COME: KEN 
SWIFT STARTS TO PUT IT ON ACTION, AND ACTION GOES IN HIS BAG AND PULLS OUT A MOTORCYCLE HELMIT AND DOES HEAD SPINS. THIS 
MARKS THE FIRST TIME "HELMIT" WERE USED IN A BATTLE. THE BATTLE EVENTUALLY TURNS INTO A CREW SCENERIOAND ENDS IN A DEBATE 
ABOUT THE HELMIT. 
INCREDIBLE BREAKERS TAKES IT TO KEN SWIFT AT THE ROXY, KENNY BEING BY HIM SELF THAT DAY, INCREDIBLE STARTS THROWIN THERE 
INOVATIVE POWER MOVES THAT THEY ARE WELL KNOWN AND RESPECTED FOR, KEN SWIFT THROWS HIS FUNKY COMBOS AND FREEZES CLOWNING 
CHINO'S BUMMY SNEAKERS, THEN FLIP ROCK JUMPS IN FOR KENNY AND THE BATTLE HEATS UP. BUT THE OVER ALL OUT COME IS DEBATABLE, 
BUT THE WORD ON THE STREETS IS INCREDIBLE WAS TOO ILL WITH THE POWER FLAVA. 
 

1985 
HIP HOP MUSIC 
DJ EASY G ROCKWELL (NYC) WINS NEW MUSIC SEMINAR DJ BATTLE 
MC BUZY BEE (NYC) WINS THE NEW MUSIC SEMINAR MC BATTLE 
HIP HOP/FUNK DANCE 
ICEY ICE BATTLE THE YOUNG UP AND COMING BBOY FREDDIE FRESH
FREDDY HAD STUDIED ICE'S STYLE AND TOOK HIS MOVES TO THE NEXT LEVEL, THE BATTLE WAS HEATED WITH FREDDIE DOIN AN ICEY ICE MOVE 
AND SAYING "I BEAT YOU WITH YOUR OWN MOVES" OVER ALL THE BATTLE WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN WON BY FREDDIE FRESH 
 

1986 
HIP HOP MUSIC 
DJ JAZZY JEF (PHILLY) WINS NEW MUSIC SEMINAR DJ BATTLE 
MC GRAND MASTER CAZ (NYC) WINS THE NEW MUSIC SEMINAR MC BATTLE 
DJ CHEESE (US) WINS THE WORLD TECHNICS DMC DJ COMPETITION 
HIP HOP/FUNK DANCE 
ORCO (LA) -BATTLES- GERMAN (BRONX) TWO OF THE WORLDS BEST POWER MOVER COLIDE AT THE CLUB "DEVILS NEST" IN THE BRONX. IT TURNS 
INTO A HEAD SPIN BATTLE WITH ORCO BEATING GERMAN. 
FIRST OG HIP HOP DANCER TO ACCOMPLISH A BROADWAY SHOW.
MR. WIGGLES AND STEVE GLAVIN WERE AMONG THE FIRST TWO DANCERS TO ACHIEVE THIS IN THE TONY AWARD WINNING SHOW, "MYSTERY OF 
EDWIN DROOD".
WIGGLES WOULD GO ON TO PERFORM IN TWO MORE BROADWAY SHOWS.
"CHESS", AND "LARGELY NEW YORK" 
 

1987 
HIP HOP MUSIC 
THE ALBUM "CRIMINAL MINDED" HIT THE STREETS AND PUT BOOGIE DOWN PRODUCTIONS ON THE MAP.
THE ALBUM IS NOW CONSIDERED ONE OF THE GREATEST HIP HOP RECORDS OF ALL TIME
SCOTT LA ROCK AND KRS ONE MAKE UP THE GROUP 
SCOTT LA ROCK IS KILLED IN A VIOLENT MURDER IN THE BRONX. AND A LEGEND IS CREATED. 
THE KOOL MOE DEE -VS- LL KOOL J BATTLE ON WAX BEGINS WITH MOE DEE'S HOW YA LIKE ME NOW, AND THEN LL'S JACK THE RIPPER. MOE 
DEE WOULD THEN HIT HIM WITH A CLASSIC REBUTTAL "LETS GO". THEY WOULD CARRY ON UNTIL THEY FINALLY MET AT A CONCERT IN ST 
LOUS.(CHECK 1988) 
DJ CASH MONEY (PHILLY) WINS NEW MUSIC SEMINAR DJ BATTLE 
MC GRAND MASTER MELLE MEL(NYC) WINS THE NEW MUSIC SEMINAR MC BATTLE 
DJ CHAD JACKSON (UK) WINS THE WORLD TECHNICS DMC DJ COMPETITION 
 

1988 
HIP HOP MUSIC 
KOOL MOE DEE FINALLY CATCHES LL KOOL J AT A CONCERT IN ST. LOUIS AND PUTS A SPOT LIGHT ON LL AND CHALLENGED HIM TO A BATTLE 
ON STAGE. LL WOULD REFUSE, SO MOE DEE WENT INTO THE FAMOUS RHYME BREAKING DONE THE LETTERS " LL" AND SLAMMED THE MIC ON THE 
FLOOR IN VICTORY. 
DJ SCRATCH (NYC) WINS NEW MUSIC SEMINAR DJ BATTLE 
MC MICKEY D (NYC) WINS THE NEW MUSIC SEMINAR MC BATTLE 
DJ CASH MONEY (US) WINS THE WORLD TECHNICS DMC DJ COMPETITION 
 

1989
HIP HOP MUSIC 
ONE OF HIP HOPS GREATEST MC'S PASS AWAY
"MC COWBOY" FROM THE FURIOUS FIVE MC'S 
DJ MIZ (PHILLY) WINS NEW MUSIC SEMINAR DJ BATTLE
MC FRESHCO(PHILLY) WINS THE NEW MUSIC SEMINAR MC BATTLE 
DJ CUTMASTER SWIFT (UK) WINS THE WORLD TECHNICS DMC DJ COMPETITION 
 

1990 
HIP HOP MUSIC 
DJ STEVE D (NYC) WINS NEW MUSIC SEMINAR DJ BATTLE
MC KID JAZZ (NYC)WINS THE NEW MUSIC SEMINAR MC BATTLE 
DJ DAVID (GERMANY) WINS THE WORLD TECHNICS DMC DJ COMPETITION 
HIP HOP/FUNK DANCE 
"BATTLE OF THE YEAR'S" FIRST EVENT ORIGINALLY TITLED "THE INTERNATIONAL BREAKDANCE CUP"
FEATURED PERFORMANCES BY: TDB (Germany/UK),Crazy Force Crew (Switzerland), City Rockers (Germany) . 
A BBOY CREW FROM EUROPE "BATTLE SQUAD" COMES TO NYC TO SEEK OUT OLD SCHOOL DANCERS THAT INSPIRED THEM . STORM, NEXT ONE 
(MAURITZIO), AMILIO, SWIFT ROCK, AND BGIRL MUCHELA MAKE A MAJOR IMPACT ON NYC BBOYS AND ARE CREDITED FOR HELPING TO PRESERVE 
THE DANCE FORMS IN EUROPE AS WELL AS TAKING POWER MOVES TO A HIGHER LEVEL. 
 

1991 
HIP HOP MUSIC 
"SOURCE MAGAZINE" THROWS THE "WILD STYLE '91 JAM"
FEATURING COLD CRUSH FOUR, ROCK STEADY CREW, KRS ONE, POOR RIGHTEOUS TEACHERS, AND ULTRA MAGNETIC MC'S.

DJ SUPREME (DC) WINS NEW MUSIC SEMINAR DJ BATTLE 
MC SERGE (CLEVELAND) WINS THE NEW MUSIC SEMINAR MC BATTLE 
DJ DAVID (GERMANY) WINS THE WORLD TECHNICS DMC DJ COMPETITION 
HIP HOP/FUNK DANCE 
JIMMY CASTOR INVITES THE ROCK STEADY CREW TO PERFORM WITH HIM AT CLUB S.O.B. TO A LIVE VERSION OF A BBOY ANTHEM "ITS JUST 
BEGUN"
CRAZY LEGS, KEN SWIFT, BUCK 4, MR WIGGLES, AND FABEL DANCED ON THIS NIGHT. IT WOULD BE BUCK 4'S LAST PERFORMANCE 
THE TURTLE MASTER BBOY "BUCK 4" PASSES AWAY 
THE AWARD WINNING DANCE DOCUMENTARY 'EVERYBODY DANCE NOW" AIRS NATION WIDE ON PBS
FEATURING "CRAZY LEGS AND MR WIGGLES" OF THE ROCK STEADY CREW. HELPING TO TRIGGER THE RE EMERGENCE OF ORIGINAL HIP HOP DANCE. 
THE "ROCK STEADY CREW" AND THE " RHYTHM TECHNICIANS" PERFORM THE PLAY TITLED
"SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW?" AT PERFORMANCE SPACE 122
A PIECE INSPIRED BY THE DEATH OF FAMED BBOY "BUCK 4"
THIS SHOW WOULD EVENTUALLY LEAD THEM TO FORMING THE GROUP "GHETTORIGINAL"

"BATTLE OF THE YEAR" HAS THERE FIRST BATTLE WITH THE WINNERS BEING:BATTLE SQUAD FROM GERMANY 
 

1992 
HIP HOP MUSIC 
DJ MIX MASTER MIKE WINS NEW MUSIC SEMINAR DJ BATTLE (SF) 
ROCK STEADY DJ'S (Q BERT, MIX MASTER MIKE, AND APOLLO, US) WIN THE WORLD TECHNICS DMC DJ COMPETITION 
HIP HOP/FUNK DANCE 
THE ROCK STEADY CREW AND RHYTHM TECHNICIANS WOULD PERFORM IN THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS , HONORING NON OTHER THAN THE 
"NICHOLAS BROTHERS", THEY RECEIVED A STANDING OVATION LED BY GREGORY HINES, AND WERE SECRETLY TAKEN BACK TO A CLOSED ROOM E 
BY THE REQUEST OF" GENE KELLY" JUST SO HE CAN PERSONALLY MEET THEM. 
 

1993
HIP HOP MUSIC 
A TRIBE CALLED QUEST PUT OUT THERE THIRD LP FEATURING A WHO IS WHO IN HIP HOP COVER
AN OLD SCHOOL MEETS THE PRESENT SCHOOL COLLABORATION. IN WHICH ROCK STEADY CREW ALSO PARTICIPATED. 
DJ 8 BALL (SF) WINS NEW MUSIC SEMINAR DJ BATTLE
MC SUPERNATURAL(NYC) WINS THE NEW MUSIC SEMINAR MC BATTLE 
THE DREAM TEAM (ROCK STEADY DJ'S) WINS THE WORLD TECHNICS DMC DJ COMPETITION 
"BATTLE OF THE YEAR" winners are :
Rocksteady Crew (UK Chapter) 'Awayz Rokin Tuff'...Tom TC Break,Tuff Tim Twist,Evo and Dizzy Lee..1993 European Battle of the 
Year Champions....Peace Kev Mono 
 

1994 
HIP HOP MUSIC 
DJ NOISE (DENMARK) WINS NEW MUSIC SEMINAR DJ BATTLE 
JUDGEMENTAL (CHICAGO) WINS THE NEW MUSIC SEMINAR MC BATTLE 
DJ GHETTO (PHILLY) WINS THE US EAST COAST DMC CHAMPIONSHIP,
DJ SHORTCUT(SF) WINS THE US WEST COAST DMC CHAMPIONSHIP 
HIP HOP/FUNK DANCE 
THE FIRST" BBOY SUMMIT" WAS PRODUCED ON AUGUST 31'st
IN ATTENDANCE WAS ROCK STEADY, AND AIR FORCE
THE BBOY SUMMIT WILL BECOME A TOP ANNUAL EVENT FOR HIP HOPERS ALL OVER THE WORLD TO GATHER. 
 

1995
HIP HOP MUSIC 
94/95 DJ ROC RAIDA WINS THE WORLD TECHNICS DMC DJ COMPETITION 
Eric Wright died the 26th March 1995 after only two month of knowing he had aids 
HIP HOP/FUNK DANCE 
FEB '95, LIL CAESAR FROM THE AIR FORCE CREW TAKES OVER A LEGENDARY WEST COAST EVENT AND BRINGS IT BACK."THE RADIOTRON" 
BECOMES ANOTHER OUTLET FOR WEST COAST BBOYS, POPPERS, AND LOCKERS, AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE CULTURE
IN THIS BATTLE RENEGADES TIE FOR FIRST AGAINS FREESTYLE, THAT MADE FOR AN HISTORICLA BATTLE

RENEGADES BATTLE STYLE ELEMENTS CREW AT THE RADIOTRON IN CALIFORNIA WITH STYLE ELEMENTS CREW THE WINNERS, A CLASSIC BATTLE 
BETWEEN TWO YOUNG GROUPS REPPIN FOR THE FUTURE OF BBOYIN. 
"ROCK STEADY CREW" -VS- THE JAPANESE CREW "IMPERIAL JB'S" AT THE 95 BBOY SUMMIT.
DECISION WAS MIXED 
THE FIRST REAL HIP HOP SHOW TO HIT OFF BROADWAY OPENS AT THE MINNETTEA LANE THEATER NYC
"JAM ON THE GROOVE"
FEATURING GHETTORIGINAL DANCE COMPANY

 

1996
HIP HOP MUSIC 
DJ NOISE (DENMARK) WINS THE WORLD TECHNICS DMC DJ COMPETITION 
HIP HOP/FUNK DANCE 
"ROCK STEADY" -VS- THE YOUNG AND UP AND COMING "STYLE ELEMENTS CREW" AT BBOY SUMMIT '96
DECISION WAS A TOSS UP. BUT REMIND BECAME AN INSTANE STAR IN THE BBOY WORLD WITH HIS GUTSY ADITUDE.
ACCORDING TO "KUJO"
BBoy Summit 3, February '96. BBoy Cisco from Sunflower Breakers begins to battle against Stretch and Ruby Real from Rock 
Steady. Members from Goof Troop and Floor Rockers soon join the battle, and eventually Style Elements jumps in 
RADIOTRON #4 ACCORDING TO "KUJO"
Radio Tron 4, February '96. X-Men from Bakersfield took 1st place, and a brand new crew called Soul Control took a close 
second. Soul Control had an almost totally different lineup at the time, and it even included the bboy now known as Iron 
Monkey. Flat Top wins the popping contest. 
OCT.96, RENEGADES -BATTLES- ROCK STEADY AT A JAM PUT TOGETHER BY ORCO CALLED THE BATTLE ZONE
IT GOT KINDA HEATED WHEN SWAY FROM RENEGADES DID A NASTY DISS TOWARDS ASIA ONE AND EASY ROCK RIGHTFULLY JUMED IN AND BEEF ED. 
BUT RENEGADES WERE HOT THAT NIGHT. JAZZY J WAS IN GREAT FORM.
ACCORDING TO "KUJO"
Battle Zone, circa October '96. Renegades (Jazzy J, Wicket, Zwae) vs. Rock Steady (Flomaster, Orco, Easy Roc, Asia, Yoski, 
Stretch, Ruby Real, and I think Honey Rockwell). The battle ends when Easy Roc strikes Zwae, and Zwae gets the shit beaten 
out of him by security guards. The security guards are stopped by none other than Fresh. Zwae is then thrown out of the 
venue. 
RADIOTRON # 7 ACCORDING TO "KUJO"
Radio Tron 7, October '96. Soul Control wins the bboy crew competition, Flat Top wins the popping contest (again). 
 

1997
HIP HOP MUSIC 
DJ A TRAK (CANADA) WINS THE WORLD TECHNICS DMC DJ COMPETITION 
HIP HOP/FUNK DANCE 
STYLE ELEMENTS - BATTLE- ROCK FORCE AT THE "TRIBUTE TO THE ELEMENTS " JAM 
ROCK FORCE'S GERALD MAKES A GOOD SHOWING AND GIVE SEC A RUFF BATTLE, BUT SECREW PULLS IT OFF 
FEB. BBOY SUMMIT 4 '97 WHAT SEEMED LIKE A NORMAL PEACEFUL HIP HOP GATHERING ENDED IN A RIOT, WITH THE LA POLICE TAKING THINGS 
TO FAR, WHILE EXAGGERATING A SO CALLED POLICE BEING HELD HOSTAGE IN THE OUT DOOR EVENT, THE LA POLICE CAME IN RIOT GEAR AND 
WERE SEEN ON FILM BEATING PASSER BY'S THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE EVENT. ASIA ONE EVENTUALLY SUED THE LA POLICE FOR THERE 
GOOF UP. 
March '97. BBoy Profit of Goof Troop died from gunshot wounds received in a drive-by in L.A. Dozens of L.A. bboys attend his 
funeral. 
OCT. 4TH BATTLE OF DA YEAR 97
STYLE ELEMENTS (USA) WINS THE EVENT WITH INCREDIBLE EASE AND EVEN SUCKERS THERE OPPONENTS INTO AN UNEXPECTED POSE FOR A PHOTO 
AFTER A MEMBER A SEC LANDS A FLIP INTO A FREEZE WITH HIS ARM AROUND A MEMBER OF SOUTH SIDE ROCKERS, THAT DESTROYED ALL HOPE 
FOR THE GERMAN BASED CREW.
BEST SHOW: SOUTH SIDE ROCKERS
BEST DANCER: CRUMBS 
NOV. 21ST, A WEST COAST BROTHA BY THE NAME OF CROSS ONE PRODUCES THE FIRST
"FREESTYLE SESSIONS EVENT/ BBOY BATTLES #1"
WITH BBOY IVAN MASTERING THE LATEST POWER MOVE WITCH HE CALLED THE STAR TRACK, BUT WOULD LATER BE INNOVATED IN MANY FORMS, 
ONE MORE NOTABLE THE AIR FLARE.
THIS STYLE OF MOVE HAS BEEN CREATED IN MANY DIFFERENT AREAS AND STYLE. THE MOST NOTABLE INNOVATORS OF THIS MOVE ARE ICEY ICE: 
NINJA FREEZE(NYC), FREDDIE FRESH: THE AXLE (NYC), FRESH: THE 360 FULL TWIST(CALI), AND JAZZY J: THE AIR FLARE (CALI).
. Soul Control vs. Abstract Flava/West Coast Rockers, results in a tie. 
Radio Tron 8, early/mid '97. Abstract Flava wins the bboy crew competition. Their group includes Frankie Flav, Ruin, Iron 
Monkey, Poe from SEC, Cuser, Brik Roc, G-Wiz and his brothers, and Stuntman. Thomas Guzman, of Chain Reaction, shows his 
documentary on locking and popping (I forget the name) publicly for the first time at this event. Air Force Crew performs 
with a reformed New York City Breakers as a gesture of good will and peace between the West and East coasts 
December '97. The music video Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins, "It's Like That," filmed. Includes Kujo, Man One (Renegades), Will 
Power and Mr. Animation (Air Force Crew), Asia One, Cuser (LA Breakers), Medusa, others. Dancing is "choreographed" by Lil 
Cesar (Air Force Crew). 
 

1998 
HIP HOP MUSIC 
DJ CRAZE (US) WINS THE WORLD TECHNICS DMC DJ COMPETITION 
WRITING (GRAFF) 
"DONDI" BORN "DONALD WHITE" 37 YEARS AGO, PASSED AWAY ON OCT.2 , DUE TO COMPLICATIONS RELATED TO PNEUMONIA. 
HIP HOP/FUNK DANCE 
KMEL BATTLES STORM (GERMANY) AND CATCHES HIM OUT THERE IN A CYPHER.
OVER ALL CONSENSUS, KMEL WON. 
FREESTYLE SESSIONS #2 FEATURES A BATTLE BETWEEN KAITEN CLUB-VS- SOUL CONTROL WHERE AIR FLARE COMBINATIONS WERE POPULARIZED BY 
MEGAMAN, AND SOUL CONTROL
Soul Control vs. Kaiten Club Breakers, aka Guru Guru Ibaraki (Japan). Abstract Flava (under another name) defeats Foot 
Soldiers (now known as Rhythm Bugs), from San Diego, in the crew competition. 
Floor Wars 2, mid-'98. Enerjetic and Tails vs. Remind and Flomaster. Chuck and Omar Love of Soul Control defeat Remind and 
Flomaster in the finals. 
Ultimate BBoy Session 2, April '98, Germany. USA vs. Europe, 2 on 2 exhibition battle: Kujo (Soul Control) and Man One 
(Renegades) vs. Benny (Basel City Attack/Flying Steps) and Karim (Actuel Force/The Family), as well as Mauricio (RSC). 
NOV. 7TH BATTLE OF DA YEAR
ROCK FORCE (USA) WINS A CONTROVERSIAL BATTLE AGAINST THE FAMILY( OUT OF FRANCE) BECAUSE OF A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY BREAKING A 
NUMBER ONE RULE OF BATTLING. NEVER TOUCH AN OPPONENT. 
NOV. 20TH, FREESTYLE SESSIONS #3 FEATURES A BATTLE WITH AN AMAZING ALL STAR BBOY TEAM
THE FLYING TORTILLAS (FLO MASTER, POE ONE, STORM, IVAN, WICKET, SPIRIT, SUPER DAVE)
-VS- SOUL CONTROL (WITH PABLO DOIN TWO AIR FLARES IN A ROW) 
December '98. BBoy Gerald (Rock Force Crew) is shot in a drive-by. Later fully recovers 
 

1999 
HIP HOP 
FEB. 15TH A WELL RESPECTED MC "BIG L" WAS SHOT AND MURDERED IN HARLEM 
SEPT. 10-12, ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME HONORS HIP HOP LEGENDS WITH A HIP HOP MUSEUM AND CONFERENCE TITLED "Roots, Rhymes and 
Rage: The Hip Hop Story."
FEATURING SUCH LEGENDS AS DJ KOOL HERC, DON CAMPBELLOCK (INVENTOR OF LOCKING), BOOGALOO SAM (INVENTOR OF POPING), AFRIKA 
BAMBAATA,KRS ONE, DST,GRAND MASTER FLASH, GRAND WIZARD THE ADORE, KEN SWIFT, THE ELECTRIC BOOGALOOS, HENRY CHALFAUNT, CHUCK 
D, AND MANY OTHERS. 
HIP HOP/FUNK DANCE 
BBOY SUMMIT
"FLO MASTER" AND "WICKET" OF THE FOOTWORK FANATIX CREW BATTLES "K MEL" AND "WICKED"
OVERALL CONSENSUS WAS FLO AND KMEL WAS A TOSS UP, WITH ALLOT OF PEOPLE LEANING TOWARDS KMEL. BUT WICKET(FF) WAS THE STAR THAT 
NIGHT BEATING WICKED WITH JUST FLAVA AND FOOTWORK.
ALSO DURING THIS EVENT:
SKEETER RABBIT BATTLES THE LEGENDARY CREATOR OF "BOTIN" BOPIN ANDRÉ. THERE WAS ALLOT OF TALKIN BACK ANDRÉ FORTH, THAT ALMOST 
LED TO A CREW BATTLE, ANDRÉ, BOPIN RON, AND BOPIN PRINCE AGAINST THE BOOGALOOS, BUT SKEET TOOK OVER THAT DAY, AND THE OVER 
ALL CONSENSUS WAS SKEET WON.
K MEL STEPS TO BBOY IVAN AND WHAT STARTED OUT AS A BATTLE TURNED INTO A SH$T TALKIN MATCH.
NO MATTER KMEL GETS THE PROPS FOR TAKIN IT TO EVERYBODY WIN LOOSE OR DRAW. 
SKEETER RABBIT BATTLES THE LEGENDARY CREATOR OF "BOTIN" BOPIN ANDRÉ. THERE WAS ALLOT OF TALKIN BACK ANDRÉ FORTH, THAT ALMOST 
LED TO A CREW BATTLE, ANDRÉ, BOPIN RON, AND BOPIN PRINCE AGAINST THE BOOGALOOS, BUT SKEET TOOK OVER THAT DAY, AND THE OVER 
ALL CONSENSUS WAS SKEET WON. 
ZULU ANNIVERSARY, KENS SWIFT AND K MEL GET INTO HEATED EXCHANGES DURING A BBOY CYPHER, K MEL STEPPED TO KENNY AND THE BATTLE 
KEPT STOPPIN AND GOING FOR THE WHOLE NIGHT. OVER ALL CONSENSUS, KEN SWIFT GOT THE BEST OF HIM . 
THE FIRST "FUNK STYLES" EVENT WAS THROWN BY THE " ELECTRIC BOOGALOOS" TO FOCUS ON POPPIN AND LOCKIN. THE TWO MAIN COMPONENTS 
TO FUNK DANCE.
WITH PERFORMANCES BY THE ELECTRIC BOOGALOOS, DEMONS OF THE MINDS, TETSU AND OZ FROM JAPAN 
Freestyle Session 4, February '99. Soul Control/Flying Steps vs. some super crew consisting of Iron Monkey, Bug I'd Bandit, 
Homwerk, Wyze9, West Coast Rockers, others. 
SEPT. 18TH BATTLE OF DA YEAR
SUICIDAL LIFE STYLES( HUNGARY) BEATS ROCK FORCE ( USA) FOR 1ST PLACE. 
 

2000 
HIP HOP/FUNK DANCE 
BBoy Summit 6, February '00. Massive Monkees (Juseboogie and Twixx) win 2 on 2 contest. 
ROCK STEADY ANNIVERSARY
A SPECIAL SET UP FOR THE BATTLES, THREE ROUNDS 1ST ROUND TOP ROCK, 2ND ROUND FOOTWORK, 3RD ROUND GO ALL OUT.
BATTLES INCLUDE HEATED MOMENTS WITH TECHNIQUE DESTROYING REVEAL, AND VIETNAM COMING BACK FOR VENGEANCE AND DESTROYING 
TECHNIQUE, THE BATTLE ENDS WITH YOUNG BBOY SHORTY FROM VEGAS BEATING VIETNAM IN A CONTROVERSIAL DECISION 
UK BBoy Championships, Suicidal Lifestyle from Hungary defeats Barcelona Addictos from Spain in the finals. 
Freestyle Session 6, November '00. Souls of Fire (Soul Control and Circle of Fire) vs. Knuckle Head Zoo, Souls of Fire vs. 
Battle Monkeys (Kujo head-butts Do-Knock), Massive Monkees vs. Battle Monkeys, Cali-Texas vs. HaviKoro, Battle Monkeys vs. 
HaviKoro. Cali-Texas defeats Massive Monkees in the finals. 
OFF National Championships, December '00. Rhythm Bugs vs. Skill Methods, HaviKoro vs. Circle Of Fire. HaviKoro defeats Skill 
Methods in the finals. 
OCT. 14TH BATTLE OF DA YEAR
FLYING STEPS(GERMANY) BEATS WASEDA(JAPAN) FOR 1ST PLACE 
 

2001
WRITING (GRAFF) 
MARE 139 DESIGNS THE LIFETIME ACHIEVMENT AWARD FOR BET'S MUSIC AWARDS. WHITNEY HOUSTON WILL BE THE FIRST ARTIST TO RECIEVE 
THIS GRAFF INSPIRED SCULPTURE.
His approach to the BET award was inspired by a new concept called "transitism" which deals with the intellectual 
interpretation of Wild Style art, movement, forms and light. "Elements of Transitism were utilized in the creation of BET's 
award", said Rodriguez. " I wanted the award to allude to excellence, understating a rise above diversity with the 
intersecting of star powers to represent will and force. 
HIP HOP DANCE 
THE FIRST ANNUAL "LORDS OF THE FLOOR" EVENT TOOK PLACE IN SEATTLE MAY 12, SPONSORED BY REDBULL 
1ST PLACE: LA BREAKERS, 2ND PLACE: BOOGIE BRATS, 3RD PLACE, STYLE ELEMENTS
ALSO AN UNEXPECTED GRUDGE MATCH BETWEEN KEN SWIFT AND KMEL IN THE AFTER PARTY. 
"WHO CAN ROAST THE MOST"
Mrach 3RD and 4th 2001(Miami,Florida) For the 1st time ever battles are setup in Boxing match type themes using one bboy from 
Florida and one from somehwere else which were voted in online 
ABSTRAK VS. REMIND BEBE VS. VEITNAM LEGO VS`. JUSE BOOGIE EKSZOOBERANT VS. GHOST BETA VS. SOULSTICE CANDY VS. A-BGIRL 
these competitors went at it for a grueling 10 rounds and to add to the conterversy no judges. 
(WHO CAN ROAST THE MOST? 5 OCTOBER 5TH AND 6TH 2001 K-MEL VS REVEAL CLOUD VS. MOY BOO ROK VS. LIL ROK TELLS 1 VS. IRON MONKEY 
FLIPZ VS. CHINO PRIZM VS. REINEN DEVEE VS. BIONIC MAN)


2002 
HIP HOP MUSIC 
Legendary hip-hop DJ Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC was shot and killed in a Queens studio on Wednesday (October 30) 
 

2003
RESOURCES: MY OWN EXPERIENCES, Henry A. Rhodes, GIVE THE DRUMMER SOME (JIM PAYNE) AT FUNKYDRUMMER.COM, STRESS MAG (13), 
STYLE: WRITING FROM THE UNDERGROUND (STAMPA ALTERNATIVA/ IGTIMES), AUDIONAUGHTS.COM, UNITEDUPROCKERS, VAUGHN & MARK BODE, 
HIPHOP25.COM, TRAC 2. JOJO, THE TWINS, CRAZY LEGS, KEN SWIFT, DJ KOOL HERC, AFRICA BAMBATTA, THE ZULU NATION, RSC, FAST 
BREAK, GM DST,GM FLASH AND THE FURIOUS FIVE, COLD CRUSH FOUR, WHIPPER WHIP, COCO144, FABEL, THE ELCTRIC BOOGALOOS, SUGAR POP, 
PHASE 2, FROSTY FREEZE, MR FREEZE, LIL LEP, DON CAMPBELLOCK, GREG CAMPBELLOCK JR., PEE WEE DANCE, KUJO, ASIA ONE, CROSS ONE, 
EGO TRIPS BOOK OF RAP LISTS, JEFF CHANG'S DANCE HALL TIMEMACHINE ARTICLE IN VIBEDEC. 03, Duro CIA