If people like Jay-Z are the go-to guys for everything in the rap music industry – whether it be fashion, events, or the music itself – perhaps it’s fair to say that Cros1 is the Jay-Z of the b-boy community.

When asked what hobbies he enjoys outside of work to relieve stress, Cros1 simply replies, “Work is my hobby.”

Except less wealthy. And less visible. And less flamboyant.

Okay, so maybe Cros1 is nothing like Jay-Z.

But there’s no disputing the fact that Cros1, born Chris Wright on Jan. 25, 1975, is one of the most recognized and respected individuals in the b-boy game.

Take a look at any reputable b-boy DVD over the past decade or so, and you’re likely to spot Cros1 at least a couple of times, easily recognizable with his fly t-shirt, permanent facial hair, shaved head and b-boy smirk. He has, to some extent, become as much of a staple for b-boy events across the world as Dickies, foam caps and tall beanies. Like a b-boy Alfred Hitchcock, he’s the mastermind who runs every detail from behind the scenes, only visible through the sneaky cameo.

Introductory comparisons aside, it all raises one question – what exactly does Cros1 do?

As it turns out, he does a whole lot. Fortunately, he explains it best himself.

“I’m the founder of the Freestyle Session event worldwide, cofounder of the Out For Fame National Championship series, owner of the Armory Survival Gear Stores as well as the clothing brand by the same name,” Cros1 says via e-mail from his San Diego home.

Not too shabby, considering that he honed his professional business abilities by way of graffiti and b-boying.

“I was a graffiti writer from like ’89 to ’97, so getting up and getting my name out there was always the name of the game,” Cros1 explains. “Only through this outlet, it’s legal and it’s building brands. It was a natural progression – though I never set out to do what I do, it just came natural, but once I was in the position, I was able to figure that from my graffiti years my drive was ultimately the same.”

It’s a hustle mentality that’s visible even in Cros1’s MySpace – a tricked-out page that hustles you with a code that forces you to subscribe to his blog each time you visit it, in turn sending you e-mail updates about his stores, his events, his DJ gigs, and his life in general.

Even while in attendance at B-Boy City 15 earlier this year in Austin, more often than not, Cros1 could be found sitting at the Armory merch table, hard at work on his laptop.

It makes sense, then, that when asked what hobbies he enjoys outside of work to relieve stress, Cros1 simply replies, “Work is my hobby.”

After all, many a graffiti artist has likened the passion of putting out one’s name to a literal obsession – something that occupies his or her thoughts, money, and schedule, even to the point where it can be unhealthy or harmful.

Just take a look at how Cros1 describes a typical day in his life:

“Wake up, brush teeth, check e-mail, take shower, eat, check e-mail, go to my shops and make sure everything is cool, check e-mail, run errands, check e-mail, check message boards and websites, update blogs, check e-mail, make sure everything is cool, promote things online, check more e-mails … a little bit of all that all day, check my e-mails some more, and probably squeeze in some food in between all that and then pass out at like 2 a.m.,” he says.

It’s probably not worth mentioning that it didn’t take Cros1 very long to reply to our interview request.

And though he’s not quite a millionaire hip-hop mogul yet, the times seem to be paying off. Cros1 has been able to travel the globe and befriend people all over the world, watching people go from young b-boys to “b-men.” With experience, he’s been able to using networking to his advantage to bring exposure and opportunities to b-boys – such as when he and others were featured in an episode of VH1’s Miss Rap Supreme earlier this year.

It also doesn’t hurt that the hip-hop climate has steadily been changing in b-boys’ and b-girls’ favor, and retailers have suddenly found that they are able to market things like t-shirts and headspin caps to wider audiences.

Case in point: Armory was the brand responsible for those JabbaWockeeZ and Super Cr3w t-shirts that everybody and their lil mama have been rocking.

Cros1 says he’s not surprised that the public and the mass media are excited to re-embrace b-boy culture at such extremes.

“Breaking is one of the most explosive and entertaining things out there on the market,” he says. “But it’s so underground, and the people that are at the forefront are sometimes real stubborn since it’s been played out once in the 80s. So everything is a bit at our own pace and to our own conditions for the most part … B-boys have too much of a passion and drive to do the best at everything that it’s just too overwhelming not to catch on.”

Which isn’t to say that there isn’t more room for growth and improvement. Popular as it may be, b-boy branding still has yet to reach the level of a truly viable trade.

There is more money to make, more clothing to market, and more misconceptions to squash – such as the rumor that Cros1 merely whores b-boying for the sake of adding to his abundant savings.

“I’ve made my share of money, but at the end of the day I’m still in debt, but the plus side of things is that I have three brands that are known worldwide.”

“People think I’m rich, and people think that it’s real easy what I do,” Cros1 says. “But honestly, 99.99% of the people out there couldn’t even get close to what I do. As for making money, I’ve made my share of money, but at the end of the day I’m still in debt, but the plus side of things is that I have three brands that are known worldwide.”

One can certainly sympathize with his frustration. Even with the relative notoriety that comes with being a celebrity in the worldwide b-boy community, dancing and supporting the culture doesn’t always translate to paying the bills or being recognized in other circles. Cros1 laments that even most professional b-boys and b-girls barely make enough to get by.

“It’d be sad if I threw out a number,” he says. “That’s not to say that it’s impossible to make it as a professional, but it is a long and hard road.”

But even when funds may be lacking and there is a growing demand for anything that can be labeled as “hip-hop” or “b-boy,” Cros1 stays wary of straying from his roots and making poor business decisions.

“I’ve had tons of opportunities to ‘sell out,’ but I refuse unless it’s to my own conditions that I set out from the jump,” he says. “I do business with trustworthy people and only work if things are fair across the board. If it’s not remotely close to that, then the people can hit the road.”

And as far giving advice to aspiring b-boy professionals, Cros1 says he attributes his own success to tackling things as they come along, running a tight schedule, and having a good supporting cast.

“I just say this: read everything you are signing off on, and double check everything and anything. If something is too good to be true, it usually is,” Cros1 says. “If the total population of your city is like 50,000, don’t expect to have 1,000 people at your jam. Budget something that can be accomplished. Don’t be afraid to start off small and work your way up. Don’t try and come out the woodworks and be Freestyle Session. It’s not gonna happen. Start off comfortable and figure your way around the game, and just go from there.”
But don’t be expecting to be taking Cros1’s place anytime in the near future. Working is, after all, his hobby, meaning it’s what he has been doing, is doing, and will be doing regardless of the money, fame, or recognition.

But that doesn’t mean he’s unwilling to help others out. When asked what motivates him, Cros1 replies, “It’s the next generation, point blank. I want people to enjoy and get [as much] out of this culture as I did when I was growing up.”

And at the end of the day, that satisfaction that Cros1 gets from pouring into the community is both what propels him forward and stops him from retiring any of his projects – even when he himself wants to stop.

In fact, 2004’s Freestyle Session 8 was supposed to be the last of its kind, but only a few years went by before Cros1 and company decided to go “balls to the wall” for Freestyle Session 10 Year Anniversary, complete with live performances and prizes. Then there was the success of this year’s Freestyle Session, after which Cros1 still doesn’t seem to been slowing down.

And so it seems that the only thing Cros1 can’t do is to stop himself – even to the point where the game calls him out of his retirement.

Perhaps he’s not so different from Jay-Z after all.