Crazy Legs (dancer) facts for kids

Richard Colón (born January 1, 1966) is better known as Crazy Legs. He is a famous American b-boy (breakdancer). Crazy Legs was one of the first breakdancers to be written about in major newspapers. As the leader of the Rock Steady Crew, he helped bring breakdancing to places like London and Paris in 1983. Today, he still works with communities, teaches dance, and creates dance shows. He has also appeared in movies and documentaries. Crazy Legs is currently the president of the Rock Steady Crew.

The Story of Crazy Legs

Early Life and Breaking

Richard "Crazy Legs" Colón grew up in Inwood, a part of New York City. His older brother first showed him breakdancing when he was nine years old. He became one of the very first members of the Rock Steady Crew when it started in 1979.

A dance writer named Sally Banes wrote about breakdancing in 1981. She quoted Crazy Legs talking about the best dancers. She also wrote about how he accidentally created a dance move called the "W." In this move, the dancer sits with their legs folded behind them. The The New York Times newspaper also wrote about a hip hop event. They mentioned that Crazy Legs had an apprentice, "Lil' Crazy Legs." This showed how dancers learned from each other.

Becoming Famous

Crazy Legs first appeared in a movie called Wild Style (1982). He played himself in this independent film. After that, he was in an early documentary about hip hop culture called Style Wars (1983).

When hip hop became very popular, 16-year-old Crazy Legs became the president of the Rock Steady Crew. He took hip hop dance to Paris and London. This was part of the New York City Rap Tour. He toured with famous artists like Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmixer D.ST. Graffiti artists Fab 5 Freddie and Futura 2000 were also on the tour. The World Champion Fantastic Four Double Dutch Girls joined them too. Crazy Legs also appeared in Hollywood movies. He played a street dancer and himself in the movie Beat Street (1984).

Dance Performances and Projects

In 1991, Crazy Legs danced in a show called So! What Happens Now?. This was one of the first hip hop shows on a big dance stage in New York City. The New York Times said it proved that street dance is a true art form. They compared it to ballet and jazz dance. The next year, he performed in Concrete Jungle at the Lincoln Center. The Times called this a "turning point" for urban street dance.

In 1995, a "jubilantly hyperactive" and "astonishing" show called Jam on the Groove started. In 1999, Crazy Legs taught dancers for the Urban Youth Theater's show Minotaur.

Crazy Legs has hosted many b-boy contests. He also makes appearances at live events. He organizes the annual Rock Steady Crew Anniversaries. He even did voice-overs for the TV comedy series Kung Faux. You can also find him as a character in the video game Def Jam Fight For NY. In 2006, the Smithsonian Institution asked him to share items for the National Museum of American History. Crazy Legs officially stopped competing in dance battles on July 28, 2012. This was after he competed at the Rock Steady Crew's 35th Anniversary event in Manhattan.

Rock Steady Crew Celebrations

As the president of the Rock Steady Crew, Crazy Legs and his company, Backspin Productions, host a special event every year. It's called the Rock Steady Anniversary. This community event honors crew members who have passed away. It also celebrates hip hop culture. The parties feature DJs playing music, amazing breakdancing, MCs performing, and graffiti artists creating art.

The group also holds a Celebrity Basketball Tournament each year. This event raises money for the Greenwich Village Youth Council in New York. In 2003, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg declared July 26 to be "Rock Steady Crew Day" in New York City. This happened during their 26th Anniversary Celebration. The sportswear company Fila even released a special "Rock Steady Crew 77" sneaker in April 2004.

Awards and Recognition

Crazy Legs and the Rock Steady Crew won a Bessie Award for choreography in 1992. In 1994, he received the Hip Hop Pioneer Award from The Source magazine. He was also given the Source Youth Foundation Image Award in 2003.

He earned the 2003 AARTS Award from the Bay Shore Schools Arts Education Fund. He was also honored as the National Godfather of the 2003 Jersey City Puerto Rican Day Parade. Crazy Legs was nominated for an MTV Award for Best Choreography. This was for his work with the musician Wyclef Jean. His dance show “Jam on the Groove” was nominated for best choreography at the Drama Desk Awards in 1996. His dance program for young people at The POINT CDC in the South Bronx earned him the “New Yorker of the Week” Award from New York 1 News.