Ready to Rock in the Bronx

The four pillars of hip-hop still stand tall in the South Bronx. After almost a decade on hiatus, Connie and other members of Ready to Rock held the Boogie Down Bronx Tale on August 16 in the soon-to-be Miami Lounge. True to its name, the event launched the unofficial revival of hip hop culture back in the neighborhood.

As the last of the original breaking crews from the Bronx, all current members come from a proud lineage. The crew started out as a group of graff writers known as the Local Spray Painters. The legendary graff writer, BOM5 was the founding father of what would eventually become the Ready to Rock crew. 

With DJ Lil' Lean on the tables, breakers frozen midair on the checkered dance floor, a graffiti gallery by the back and rhyme schemes by wordsmiths bursting out the speakers, the Bronx did not miss a beat. The event even included an often overlooked element of hip hop: fashion, with a table displaying Bboy Original Wear. With $250 on the line, you either came hungry or you stayed your ass at home. 

MC Leno of the Floorlords hosted with his own brand of blunt humor and lively commentary. Out on the floor, grown men battled kids half their age and size. These kids came out top rocking with that grandiose b-boy swagger challenging the stature of any man. In spite of the inherent competitive nature of true breakers, they showed nothing but love after every round. During the battle though, each dancer put it all on the dance floor.

They whipped out classic moves like crickets (hopping around on one hand with an elbow tucked in while the rest of the body remains parallel to the floor), suicides (the illusion of crashing to the ground), and the iconic flare. They even busted out some ultra-rare moves. It has been a while since people have seen handcuffs, (spinning around on both shoulders while appearing to have hands cuffed against the back). The MC kept chanting, "Don't hold back," as the competitors went at it, round after round. 

Hailing from France, Propz definitely gave one of the most memorable performances of the night. He didn't come hungry - he came ravenous like a rabid dog, practically foaming at the mouth with a glare that was venomous and borderline-psychotic. The Japanese hit the ground running, with their intricate footwork. But the locals were by far the most aggressive and offensive of the lot, having mastered the art of fighting without physical contact. After being pissed on, stared down and sexually harassed via body language, anyone who held back was only holding back tears. 

The judging panel looked for musicality, style/creativity, technical skill and execution. All the dancers out there knew that the winner had to have the package deal. Only Candy and Ekcite made it to the final round. The former broke down the music seamlessly. She made no qualms about robbing a man's dignity. Ekcite eventually took the official win. His near-perfect executions, cleanliness and style won him the cash prize and a glimpse at glory. Whether they won or lost, everyone was left craving for more. It is more than a dance; it is a lifestyle. No one just does it - they live it. 

- Linda Li