Crazy Legs (dancer) facts for kids

Richard Colón (born January 1, 1966) is famous as Crazy Legs. He is an American b-boy, which is a type of hip-hop dancer. Crazy Legs was one of the first breakdancers to be featured in major news stories. As the leader of the Rock Steady Crew, he helped bring breakdancing to places like London and Paris in 1983.

Today, Crazy Legs helps his community. He teaches dance and works on dance theater shows. He has also appeared in movies and documentaries. He is still the president of the Rock Steady Crew.

Crazy Legs' Dance Journey

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

In 1981, a dance writer named Sally Banes wrote about him. She mentioned that Crazy Legs accidentally created a dance move called the "W." This is where the dancer sits with their legs folded behind them. The The New York Times also wrote about him. They noted that younger dancers, like a "Lil' Crazy Legs," learned from older dancers.

Early Film and Tour Appearances

Crazy Legs first appeared in a movie called Wild Style in 1982. He played himself in this independent film. After that, he was in Style Wars, a documentary about hip-hop culture. This film was shown on PBS in 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 in 1983. This was part of the New York City Rap Tour. Famous artists like Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmixer D.ST were also on this tour. Graffiti artists and a Double Dutch team joined them too.

Crazy Legs also appeared in Hollywood movies. He was a street dancer in the film Beat Street in 1984. Just like in Wild Style, he played himself in this movie.

Dance Performances and Retirement

In 1991, Crazy Legs danced in a show called So! What Happens Now?. This was one of the first hip-hop shows on a main dance stage in New York City. The New York Times said it showed that street dance is a true art form. It was as skilled and creative as ballet or jazz dance.

In 1992, he performed in Concrete Jungle at the Lincoln Center. This show was called a "turning point" for urban street dance. It was described as "extraordinarily affecting." In 1995, he performed in the "astonishing" show Jam on the Groove. In 1999, Crazy Legs taught dancers for the Urban Youth Theater's show Minotaur.

Crazy Legs has hosted many b-boy contests and live events. He also organizes the Rock Steady Crew Anniversaries. He did voice-overs for the TV show Kung Faux. He is also a character in the video game Def Jam Fight For NY. In 2006, the Smithsonian Institution asked him to contribute to a collection 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, New York.

Rock Steady Crew Celebrations

As the president of the Rock Steady Crew, Crazy Legs organizes the yearly Rock Steady Anniversary. This event celebrates hip hop culture and honors crew members who have passed away. The parties feature DJs playing music, breakdancing, MCs performing, and graffiti artists creating art.

The group also holds a Celebrity Basketball Tournament each year during the anniversary. 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. In 2004, the sportswear company Fila released a special sneaker called the "Rock Steady Crew 77."

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 also earned the Source Youth Foundation Image Award in 2003.

He received 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 for his work with Wyclef Jean. 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.