Crazy legacy

>> Superstar b-boy Crazy Legs of Rock Steady Crew talks about New York, Japan and respect for the culture

by SCOTT C

New York City's Rock Steady Crew is perhaps the world's farthest-reaching family of b-boy alumni apart from the Zulu Nation, and as 2002 approaches, they show no signs of slowing down at all. With this past summer seeing the celebration of the 24th anniversary of the Rock Steady tradition in its native New York, a quarter-century blast is in the works for July of next year.

Considered the chancellor of the Rock Steady legacy, ageing b-boy Crazy Legs still travels the world jumping into the circle at a moment's notice, still able to pop skills and drop jaws. While New York speeds its way back to "business as usual," Crazy Legs and Rock Steady Crew continue to move ahead with plans that have the b-boys of the world in mind. I spoke to Crazy Legs from his temporary home in Jersey City, three miles from the downtown core, where I'm told there ain't shit to do.



Mirror: Here I am again, talking to a native New Yorker, and I have to say that I'd feel weird if I didn't ask you about what's been going on in New York. Have the events of the past month and a half had an impact on you at all?

Crazy Legs: My uncle passed away in the building, and we just had the service on Saturday. It's affected everybody here, even if you didn't lose anyone. It affects sleeping patterns and the shit you dream about.

M: Has it changed your daily routine?

C: You gotta keep things moving, man. That's not something that I'm about to let stop me doing what I do. I still have to work towards creating events that allow kids to enjoy themselves and express themselves and have the opportunity to show their skills.

M: I understand you have a new lineup coming to town this weekend?

C: We have a lot of people in Rock Steady. There's people in Rocksteady that the world

hasn't met yet. Rock Steady isn't just five people.

M: I know that, man, but I was told that you were bringing up some fresh faces.

CL: Oh yeah, definitely!

M: So who's coming then?

CL: Wait a minute--we've got so many trips all the time that people have to take turns travelling. This time we've got Jeromeski, Mr. Wiggles, EZ Rock...

Mondo breakdance

M: Have you ever gone over to one of the big European battles and just been blown away by someone you'd like to bring back to New York?

CL: Nah! (laughs) We've established chapters all over the world, Great Britain, Germany. But it's not just about how a person can get down and dance. It's also about how they carry themselves and how they get along with others. Skills have a part in it, but it's like dating a woman. She could be fine as hell, but if you have conflicting issues all the time, it's not gonna work. There's some common thread somewhere.

M: Where's your favourite place to travel outside of the U.S.? I ask because I know you travel a hell of a lot.

CL: Probably Japan. I've been to Japan about 20 times, and I guess I enjoy the culture. The city life over there is cool. Kids appreciate hip hop culture over there and it's a fun place to be.

M: They've got a pretty tight scene over there, right?

CL: They've definitely taken the time to nurture a strong scene there, paying close attention to all elements of the culture. It's a lot closer-knit than over here. They're more in tune with each other and with what's going on.

M: Is there a prevailing commercial back end to the Japanese hip hop scene, like there is in the States?

CL: Not at all. They have a huge underground scene over there. They pay attention to what goes on over here, but they do their own thing in Japanese too and add their culture to it. Actually, a lot of them know more about hip hop than people over here. There are so many people in the U.S. that are completely ignorant of the origins of it.

Journey to the centre of the world

M: Do you think New York has lost its footing as the original centre of the hip hop universe?

CL: I wouldn't say that! (laughs) Put it this way. Take New York away from everything and you don't have hip hop.

M: I'm not sure that's the case anymore, though--

CL: It had to start somewhere. New York is the Mecca of hip hop. That's it. It's like, we got people in NYC who are good poppers and lockers, but if they want to get the real flavour of how it started, they have to go to the West Coast and get the true essence of what it's about. There are a lot of New York haters, just because New York is the centre of the world. Most people outside the U.S. who are into hip hop got into it watching videos and TV, not because they grew up in it. There's just a feeling that people will never have the opportunity to have.

M: But do you recognize that hip hop has established itself around the world?

CL: You have to understand that most of those scenes still imitate New York. I travel a helluva lot. I've been through three passports. People still emulate New York around the world. I've seen people in warm climates trying to wear gear we rock in the winter in NYC. People trying to be down with hip hop, wearing wool hats in the summer! (laughs)

M: I'm not talking about those people man. I'm talking about people who incorporate where they're from and how they came up into hip hop culture, no matter where they are in the world. I'm not talking about copycats. I'm talking about individuals who give the New York hip hop stereotype a run for its money.

CL: I don't think where it started can ever be disregarded. There are certain b-boys that I never met, but I know the legacy that they left behind. I will always acknowledge them as pioneers even if I never met them. It's just respect. I think people are too caught up in that "Fuck New York" shit right now, but we're still here.

With Seb Fontaine, Jazzy Jeff, Max Graham and more at the Freaky party at Sona on Saturday, Oct. 27, 11pm, $40