Volume 2 - Issue 5

November 14, 2009

“Teaching Real Hiphop Culture and Respect for All”

Contents

1 – Message from Founder

2 – Quote of the Month

2 – Odori 73 Member List

3, 4, & 5 – “The History of

TBB Rocking Crew and the

Facts of Rock Steady’s

Birth”

Hello to all Odori 73 members and true Hiphop heads in general!

I have a great deal of respect for those that are from the original school and all generations of bboys, lockers, poppers,

and house dancers, but I have something to get off my chest. There are a lot of times at events, practices, and seminars

where there are old school heads of plenty that are not recognized because you don't see a gang of footage of them on

YouTube, or some other media form; this doesn't mean you shouldn't respect them or that you should discredit their

skill or not consider them not relevant to the cause of Hiphop as a whole. Give credit where credit is due, because there

are some heads that have been around as long as I have, or longer, without judging big events, fanfare, tours to

countries, or being a part of a well known or old school crew. There are sooo many that I know, in every dance form

that was born from the streets, where people don't know their contributions or they have passed away and are no longer

talked about, or they are incarcerated for life or for such a long time that by the time they get out they will no longer be

able to showcase the skills which made them a neighborhood great! Remember the moment caught on video is

sometimes not as great as the moment caught in your heart at the heat of the moment at practice, or in a cypher, at an

event, or just messing around at a local grocery store in the middle of the night with some other random bboys in your

area (that was hilarious by the way). Throw down in aisle 8, hahahaha! Anyway, back to the message at hand; give

respect to those that you know for sure have been around for 20+ years, we love to see you getting down, show that

same respect in return. Remember, we were once like you and also not like you because we loved, respected, and

sometimes feared the ones before us. It gave us a reason to reach a goal, to be as good, original, or as spectacular as

them or better. Some of us didn't disappoint and that was no easy task, trust me! You, the new generation, have to do

the same thing, but remember when you’re influenced or inspired by us; we are the same as you. Don't just call

yourself a bboy or Hiphop without knowing what that literally means. Learn what bboying and Hiphop are by

researching what you’re becoming a part of and how it relates to what you do in the kulture and everyday life. As a

friend told me before, “u make a hasty decision take 2 steps back & see were ur @....u'll find ur self surrounded by

truth, love & respect... remember the cream always rises to the top!!! one love one nation one soul...put that all

together & u'll never be alone!!” I have done that now and I am truly ready to embrace this kulture like I should,

because I lost my way a little bit, and finally I'm at peace with the past, present ,and future! Be safe and be blessed!

Let us continue to shine on the floor, in the air, at any given moment, and let the world know we are a force to be

reckoned with back then, now and forever!

Allah Akbar,

Bboy Ziggy aka The Politician

Founder of Odori 73/President of The Bronx Boys Cali4nia/Chapter 8

MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER: THE STRUGGLE MADE ME DO IT!

Volume 2 - Issue 5

November 14, 2009

Bboy Props – Squishy Docious Crew - Fontana, CA

Quicksand - Franklin, WI

Trixtah – Ground FX Crew - Brea, CA

Twister - Marseille, France

Tyler - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Monstre Dave – Rock on City Krew - Milwaukee, WI

Bboy-H – Original Freestlye Crew - Morocco, Africa

Lammy – Squishy Docious Crew - Riverside, CA

Sa-Ewl - Squishy Docious Crew - Rialto, CA

Unite C – Toledo, IA

Keyoh – Squishy Docious Crew - Riverside, CA

Bboy Said H – Chrom Crew - Aix en provence, France

AtomicRoc – Sinestet Crew - Zagreb, Croatia

PoeOne – Style Elements Crew/MZK - Whittier, CA

CLASE-J –American Voices Organization – Katy, TX

Farouk – Los Angeles, CA

GRIZ – Cypherstyles.com – Pittsburgh, PA

Bunny – Miles of Styles Crew - Lake Forest, CA

JaeBoogz – The Bronx Boys Rocking Crew – Fresno, CA

Infinite - Stylistic Kings/Elite Team - Signal Hill, CA

Deeztrukt - Soul Massive - Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Proud2be – Philippines

Aby - The Bronx Boys Rocking Crew - Ormond Beach, FL

Welcome to the NEWEST Members! Turtle – Riptide Crew – Austin, TX

Elusive – Riptide Crew – Austin, TX

Hooty – Phaze 1 Entertainment – Highland, CA

Chew – Dangerous Stylez Crew – Chelsea, MA

Chris – Canoga Park, CA

SOLO138 – The Bronx Boys Rocking Crew – Port Orange, FL

"I am not just doing hip-hop, I am hip-hop, and I cannot tolerate

wackness!"– KRS-One

Turtle

Elusive

SOLO138

Page 2 November 14, 2009

Volume 2 - Issue 5

November 14, 2009

FROM: BATCH TBB/ROCK STEADY GOD FATHER.

To: Crazy Legs, and for the Rocking (Break Dancing) Community…

Back in 1975 Batch, Shark, and Cash formed a graffiti crew, we named it The Bronx Boys (TBB) since we

were indeed from the Bronx, TBB fitted us just right. During those old school days Up Rocking and Graffiti

were the two best things for the young people growing up in the Bronx and tagging up was what motivated

us the most since it contained the substance of what fame was to become of The Bronx Boys.

We used to Up Rock and sip on a grape tasting wine that only cost us a dollar for a full extra large pint.

This wine was called "Night Train". If you was a Graffiti artist back then you'd know what I'm talking

about. It got us warmed up, and ready to go bombing (tagging).

I actually started tagging/graffiti back in 1974 when my name was Bat, and not until Cash and Shark

added C-H to my name which became Batch. The reason for that was because I was not satisfied with a

graffiti name that only contained three letters.

In 1975 on a hot summer July, while Up Rocking with some members of TBB Graffiti Artists a simple Up

Rocking move turned into a falling mistake by a kid named TE-TE Rock (not the later TE-TE Rock) who

fell to the ground and made a swift move that changed the Up Rocking dance art throughout the world.

This dance art became known as Break Dancing since we jokingly called it breaking your ass on the

concrete. But the better name for it is actually "Rocking" since it originated from Up Rock to start with.

Therefore, I turned our graffiti crew (TBB) into TBB Rocking Crew. Then came Star Child LA Rock, and

after that came Rock Well-Association. Notice that these old school B-Boy crews had the word Rock to

their crew. And furthermore, notice the later Rock Steady Crew, also contained the word "Rock". In 1979,

when I broke up the TBB Rocking Crew and Jimmy Lee turned his TBB division to Rock Steady I asked

him why that name? And he simply said to me: "Batch, because TBB Rocking Crew was always Rocking

Steady! You get it?" I smiled and told him that was a cool name for the TBB division. The first Rock Steady

shirts were brown with white letters, and on the bottom of the shirts Jimmy added TBB to let the people

know that Rock Steady was actually still The Bronx Boys.

In 1977, TBB Rocking Crew had spread largely throughout the Bronx which had caught the eye of Afrika

Bambaataa and he called for a peace treaty between the two biggest organizations in the Bronx back then.

Please feel free to question Afrika Bambaataa about this historical incident that took place back then. We

met with him in the Webster projects for our interview, and we discussed issues that pertained to the

safety of all the young people who used to attend Jams, DJ Parties, and School Yard Jams, etc. The

agreement was settled with respect and great concern and consideration for the sake of the young people

who liked to attend those old school days’ parties. The Zulu nation and TBB came together after that

meeting with Afrika Bambaataa back in 1977.

Rock Steady was not around for 1977, I assure you this. And with respect for Crazy Legs,(who today is the

leading father of Rock Steady) I want for him to truly understand that the anniversary of Rock Steady

needs to be changed from 1977 to the official time when Rock Steady was actually formed, which was

back in 1979, and not 1977.

Page 3

Volume 2 - Issue 5

November 14, 2009

And to further correct this issue, Rock Steady was not present for the 1977 blackout, and it was not around

for the Killings of the Son of Sam incidents, which was also during the 1977 era. Rock Steady was not

present when TBB Rocking Crew was out there destroying other crews in Rocking battles It is ridiculous

to say that Rock Steady was out in 1977, when the true matter is that TBB Rocking Crew actually gave it

life when I broke up TBB in 1979. And to date I am glad to say that TBB is back out and strong as ever!

Thanks to my little brother Aby, Trac-2, Don Tony, Trace-2 (my big brother), Bom-5, and the true warrior-

Powerful Pexster, along with the many devoted TBB Rocking Crew members out there today.

In 1979, when I broke up TBB one of my divisions from 183rd had come up with a new name for that TBB

Rocking Crew division on Creston Ave. in the Bronx. Jimmy Lee and Jimmy Dee along with some other

TBB Crew members gave it its new name "Rock Steady". I am saddened and disappointed by the false

information about the history of "Rocking" (which today they call it Break Dancing). I have come across

much misleading subjects and statements which are truly fairy tale assumptions from individuals that

writers interview for feedback, and opinions are then add to these falsehood stories about the history of

Rocking to their publishing mags, and books, with no regard to assure that what they are printing may

just be misleading information about the history of Rocking.

Recently I read a book called Vibe History, and as I read the Rocking (Break Dancing) history section of

the book I just had to laugh. Many of those individuals mentioned in the section on Rocking I've known

them for years, and grew up with many of them. Much of what I've read in that section on Rocking was

nonsense. Needless to say, but true, that's a prime example of what I mean by false information.

However, the section contained some true substance from those individuals that knew what they were

saying. In any event though, I had to toss the book aside, when I noticed that the writer's information

lacked more substantial facts that needed to be represented to the true history of Rocking. The

information was unbalanced with some historical eras and misconceptions...

May I ask where was TBB Rocking Crew in those historical events? Not once were the fundamentals of

TBB Rocking Crew ever mentioned in that section of Rocking from that book, Vibe History. Leaving out

the main puzzles of the history of Rocking (Break Dancing) made the statements therein worthless to

acknowledge. When we write about history we don't start from the middle of it; otherwise, it won't contain

any significance to its important value.

With respect to Crazy Legs and his Rock Steady people, Rock Steady's anniversary "year" needs to be

corrected. If the celebration of it is going to be a realistic factor on its development from where it was first

founded by Jimmy Lee and Jimmy Lee made up Rock Steady from a division that came out of TBB

Rocking Crew back in 1979.

In my years since I knew Jimmy he was a true TBB Rocking Crew Vice Pres, from the heart! He loved The

Bronx Boys deeply. In Jimmy's heart, to him, Rock Steady as acting was actually TBB Rocking Crew. I

can honestly tell you this much about my brother Jimmy Lee. Jimmy Lee was always breaking other

crews apart for TBB Rocking Crew when we would go battle against any crew out there back in those old

school days. And when I made the decision to break up TBB Rocking Crew, Jimmy tried to convince me

not to. He wasn't alright with my decision but respectfully accepted it since I was the head pres of TBB

Rocking Crew back then. And when I did, I left him without any other choice but to take his division and

change the name of TBB Rocking Crew to Rock Steady which he had named it back in 1979.

As for Crazy Legs, I honestly admire him, and I have nothing but love and respect for him. Especially for

his honorable position today in the world of Rocking (Break Dancing), and for his love and part on the

history of Rock Steady. In fact, I am a true fan of his. And let’s continue to keep in mind that Crazy Legs

was, without question, the main one to bring Rocking (Break Dancing) back to life when it started to die

out in the early 1980's, and who has gained the spot light throughout the world for as being the originator

of Rocking (Break Dancing). And whether he created the dance art or not, he surely deserves all the

highlights and fame that he has managed to accomplish throughout the years for his ability

determination, and for his personal dedication and involvement in the world of Hip Hop in general. So,

Page 4

Volume 2 - Issue 5

November 14, 2009

just for the record, let me assure all you today in the Rocking communities that I only speak for what is

right and fair, and for what TBB Rocking Crew sincerity stands for.

Moreover, TBB Rocking Crew will always be remembered as the true pioneers of Rocking, since after all,

we are indeed the foundation of the dance art that The Bronx Boys have created. They'll be many haters

and opposers out there, who will never give TBB Rocking Crew their props and loyalty. But overall, and

the positive good thing about TBB Rocking Crew is that we have many devoted members that will always

support themselves, and they will see to it that The Bronx Boys will never be left out of the important part

and role that we played in the history of Rocking, which we have been a true part of since 1975. So to all

my TBB Rocking Crew peeps keep your heads up at all times, and know in your hearts that if it wasn't for

TBB Rocking Crew there would have not been Rock Steady, and all of the many, many more crews that

exist out there today, doing their thing with this unique art dance that has spread throughout the world

today. Am I right Pexster Love? "Powerful Pexster" that is!

Let us celebrate the anniversary of TBB Rocking Crew dating back to 1975. And to those of you whom

believe that the Rock Steady was around for the year 1977, I have a simple and polite question for you, and

that is: "Where was you when the lights went out in New York City? Seriously?" I know I've said this over

and over again, but Rock Steady was not present while TBB Rocking Crew was still in its existence back in

those old school days.

However, today TBB and Rock Steady are around at the same time. But the real funny thing is that TBB

and Rock Steady are "twin brothers"; hypothetically speaking. Since Rock Steady was formed from TBB

Rocking Crew the fact is that you really cannot separate them only by disagreement. And if my words are

not good enough, call it what ya want it to be, ya still have the right to prove me wrong if I am. In fact

Crazy Legs was a TBB Rocking Crew member when he was just a kid growing up in the Bronx. He even

stated it himself in the book called: "YES-YES YA". Crazy Legs said: “I knew some of the Zulus, but my

idols were other crews, like the original Rock Steady...The Bronx Boys (TBB) was the first crew I was ever

down with". And this is one of the reasons why I admire him the way I do. He's a humble man, and I

appreciate people with such characteristics in their personality. JoJo, ex-TBB member (Trace, Aby, Trac,

Jimmy, and many more know this) stated this about Crazy Legs on another piece of article from the

"Source Magazine" some years ago, said: "Crazy Legs as a little kid was in the audience cause he used to

be in TBB Rocking Crew". My question to JoJo right now would be: "Why are you denying the fact that you

was down with TBB, when you know that you was indeed a TBB Rocking Crew member back in the day?"

Don't front kid; you are welcomed back whenever you wish to rejoin what your heart calls for! I ain't mad

at you. Keep your head up JoJo!

In closing on this commentary I want to say that I have much love for all of you whom are part of the Rock

Steady community, and for those of you throughout the world who represents Rock Steady and TBB

Rocking Crew. My homage and respect goes out to all of you that make the very unique difference in the

art dance that we appreciate dearly, "Rocking" or "Break Dancing", whatever ya wish to call it, is a true

gift and blessing for all of us who put our emotions and hearts into it.

Respectfully,

I am, BATCH GOD Father of TBB Rocking Crew, and Rock Steady.

Page 5