Slip on your freshest kicks,
it's time to learn hip hop's poetry in motion
Let's get started! Start by using the top navigation and work your way to the right.
B-boy
Noun. (Bee-Boi)
The "B" in b-boy and b-girl stands for break. This term was coined because of the fact that these dancers would throw down to the break of the song, which in most cases is the hypest part of a song. It was created in New York City in the 1970’s when rival street gangs opted out to break dance rather than fighting with each other. It later evolved into a dance used to express emotions and gain respect. Disk jockeys starter sampling rhythmic sections of dance records called “break beats” for breakers to groove to.
B-boy Language
B-Boy ("Break" Boy) - Sometimes used as the universal term for b-boys and b-girls.
Battles - A competition to show off who's got the better style and moves.
Break Beats - Music b-boys break too.
Grooving - Feeling the music.
Bite or Biting - Plagiarizing someone elses move or style.
Cyphers - A dance circle where b-boys come together to throw down their moves but not competitively.
Breaking World Wide
B-boys and b-girls are everywhere! Breaking is not a common activity, but you'll most likely find a b-boy community in your city. You can find out locations on websites like B-boy World forums.
Elements of Hip Hop
There are 4 elements of hip-hop: b-boying, dj'ing, mc'ing and graffiti.
Getting Started
The b-boy culture is very informal. When most people learn, it's usually not in a classroom setting. It's self-taught and mentored. While workshops are wildly available, b-boys practice either in solitude or in groups with friends and/or with other b-boys.
Practice Makes Perfect
The beauty of breaking is that a b-boy can practice anywhere as long as flat cardboard boxes and ghetto blasters are provided. If you're picking breaking up, you can approach any experienced b-boy or b-girl to ask where the practice spots are in your city.
Throwing Down
Often there will be times where dance circles, aka cyphers, form and anyone can jump in to show off their moves. It's very intimidating to participate at first, but other breakers actually respect new faces that have the confidence to throw down their moves.
Did You Know?
B-boys do not like to be called "break dancers", as this was a term coined by the media in the 80's to sell to the masses, and is not correct terminology.
B-boys and b-girls can challenge each other in a break battle. It's common that a b-boy will encounter another b-boy/b-girl that they think is "whack" or simply disrespectful, in which case a b-boy will wish to call him/her out by taking it to the dance floor or in cyphers. In any case, at the end of battle both sides usually show much love and respect for each other. Stay humble!
Musicality
Musicality is all about listening to music and learning to groove with the music. The most important thing is to let the music drive your soul. It's good to do your research and familiarize yourself to as many break beats as possible.
Music History
In the early 70's Dj Kool Herc played the 'breaks' of songs. Meaning he would only play parts of the songs where it was predominantly the percussion. Kool herc is known as one of the pioneers of hip hop DJ's.
To read more about the history of hip hop music, refer to The Golden Era Wiki
Breakbeats
A breakbeat is a repeated sample of a drumbeat usually sampled from old funk records used in hip hop tracks. A popular instrument that you'll most likely find with break beats are bongos
Example: Sugarhill Gang - Apache (Jump On It)
Time to Throw Down!
Here you'll be learning some of breakings basics moves with B-boy Yong'nFresh from Raw Mind Movement (Vancouver, Canada). Remember to always stretch before you break to avoid injuries.
1. Cross Step (0:38) | 2. Knee Drop (1:20) | 3. Six Step (2:28) | 4. 3:22 (Chair Freeze) | 5. Combining Moves (4:30)
Get Hungry!
It's time to throw down
Thanks for Visiting!
Credits
Big thanks to Yong'nFresh for directing the video & being a big influence in creating this website.
Resources
B-boy World Forums
B-boy World (History of B-boying)
Freshest Kids (Movie)
Planet B-boy (Movie)
About
The Break Room was created by Lynn Nguyen to inspire the public and spread knowledge about b-boys and the b-boy community.
Facebook Page
mail@hellolynn.com
yingnyong.tumblr.com
