Step Up 3D just not cutting it for you? The good folks over at Complex Magazine recently compiled their list of their favorite b-boy-themed movies.
It’s a solid list, but it’s definitely worth keeping in mind that it seems to be a plug for the aforementioned Hollywood blockbuster. The classics are all there, plus a few noteworthy underground and foreign gems.
But if you’re planning your end-of-summer b-boy movie marathon, you’ll want to take the time to hunt down unmentioned titles like The Freshest Kids, Inside the Circle, or Turn it Loose — and then when everything’s winding down, hit them with something over-the-top like Raging Phoenix. It’s all about that end freeze, son.
What are your favorite b-boy films and documentaries?
(For all you international readers who can’t access Hulu, the first LXD episode features the narration of an old man, lots of slow motion b-boying at a high school prom, and Cloud wearing a scarf and being a bad guy. No, really.)
This clip from Morocco is one of many showing T.I.P’s friends and fans’ support from around the globe.
As we reported earlier, some members of South Korea’s T.I.P Crew have run into some trouble for avoiding the mandatory military draft. The Korean media took it as an opportunity to publicly humiliate the crew as the newest targets for gossip fodder. As a result, the crew lost its jobs, sponsorships, studio, and its reputation as a source of pride for the entire country.
Never mind if it’s only been 30 seconds since the end of the YouTube clip that inspired him to become a “b-boy” — even if he knows nothing about the dance, history, or culture, one of the first things a beginner b-boy will do is correct someone who uses the word “breakdance” in any of its forms.
And sure, it’s not impossible to find a decent b-boy who’s also talented at rocking — the same way that b-boys were originally hip-hop renaissance men who often juggled several, if not all, of the elements of hip-hop.
On the other hand, there is also no shortage of b-boys who are dead set on the belief that they are the next King Uprock. You’ll see them snatching any opportunity to show off their jerks and burns, whether it be a battle, performance, funeral, and so forth.
TheCypher, the wiki project by the man behind BreakerNYC, has a new interview with Jiggz from NYC. Among other things, he gives his opinion on the NY scene and tells how a trip to Florida in 2000 helped influence his approach to the dance. Good stuff.
Although the article does not mention any names, Mex from The Bboy Spotposted that Differ and Virus were among those arrested.
According to the article they were faking mental illness in order to avoid the compulsory military service that’s required from every healthy Korean male. The authorities were alerted through an anonymous tip that they had been faking their symptoms.
It would probably be wise to reserve judgment until we’ve heard T.I.P.’s side of the story.
Our nerdier readers will already know what Woot! is, but for those who don’t, Woot! is a website which features one random product each day at a substantial discount. Could be an Xbox, could be a Roomba, or it could be a toy monkey.
Their spinoff Shirt.Woot is the same idea, but with user submitted shirt designs. Today’s design is titled “The Original B-Boy” and features Bowser carrying a boombox and sporting some knock off Chucks.
What makes it worth mentioning is the write up underneath the product (Woot! has become known for their sarcastic product descriptions). It’s a pretty great indictment of the current state of “urban dance movies” that have been flooding the market, taking on such themes as sex, diversity, and even “Twilighters.” They know this shirt is a gimmicky attempt to capture that demographic, and they’re ok with that.
If that sounds good to you, you’d better hurry. The shirt is only on sale for one day.
EDIT: Credit points out that Alex from Motion Disorderz is the designer of the shirt. I wonder if my title still holds true considering that an actual b-boy designed it? Funny how a little context can change things.
