Ever since a group of big-haired kids started throwing block parties in the South Bronx, NYC, in the late Seventies hip hop has pervaded popular culture. Thanks to these dauntless hip hop centurions, England's most up-for-it city is poised for a breakdance invasion. Plymouth is getting in on the action with their very own elite b-boy superheroes the YML crew leading the way, mostly balanced on their heads.  | | Anything you can do.... |
See that kid with the shell-toed Adidas trainers? That all comes from hip hop. DJs being recognised as musicians in their own right? Hip-hop started all that.
Jeremy Paxman's trademark sneer on University Challenge? He stole that from Ice -T. Breakdancing, or 'Breaking' is the oldest of the elements of hip hop culture. Long before MCs ever took up the mic and started rapping kids were taking elements of Jazz and Afro-Brazilian dance techniques and mixing them up with the inimitable New York funk styles. A pioneering dance craze was born - that comprised of feats of incredible showmanship and balance as well as individuality and character. A 'battle' culture grew around breaking, with rival crews of B-boys facing off for the respect of the crowd. Breaking had its first 'Golden Age ' in the late Seventies and early Eighties. It flooded the media and the clubs were filled with people busting Windmills, Flares and Caterpillars. Ask your dad about it. Just don't ask him to do any.  | | Training step by step |
After a mainstream hiatus of nearly twenty years breaking has surged back into fashion over the last five years, and is bigger now than ever. More crews are battling, the moves are showier and the fashions even more outlandish than back in the day. JOIN THE YML
Come and join one of our training sessions. We are at The Goschen Centre, Saltash Road, Devonport, every Tuesday 6.30-8.30pm, all welcome, £3 per session. We also have a workshop every Monday at the Barbican Theatre, Plymouth, Beginners 5-6pm £3, Intermediate 6-7pm £3. The YML crew can be contacted at email ymlbreakdancecrew@yahoo.co.uk or ring 01752 297907 or mobile 07789 917531.
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