Rock Steady Crew facts for kids

The Rock Steady Crew is a famous American breaking and hip hop group. They are known worldwide and have many groups in different places. In 1983, their song "(Hey You) The Rock Steady Crew" became a big hit. It reached number 6 on the music charts in the UK and was popular in many European countries. Members of the Rock Steady Crew also appeared in movies like Flashdance and Beat Street. These movies helped make breakdancing popular all over the world!

The History of Rock Steady Crew

The very first group, started in 1977, was called "Untouchable Four B.Boys." It had four members: Joe-Joe, Easy-Mike, Jimmy-Dee, and P.Body 170th.

How Rock Steady Crew Started

The larger group, known as Rock Steady Crew, began in The Bronx, New York City in 1977. It was founded by two b-boys named Jimmy Dee and Jimmy Lee. Later, in 1979, Crazy Legs and B-Boy Fresh started a branch of the crew in Manhattan. The New York Times once called the Rock Steady Crew "the most important breakdancing group in the world today."

Key Members of Rock Steady Crew

Many talented dancers and artists have been part of the Rock Steady Crew. Some of the well-known members include:

• DJP
• Crazy Legs
• DJ Cucumber Slice
• DJ Qbert
• Fever One
• Madchild
• Mr. Wiggles
• Q-Unique
• Rahzel
• Tony Touch
• Russell Peters
• East-3
• SkillRoy
• Jeffrey (Doze) Green
• Ian Eastwood

Past Members Who Made a Difference

Some members who were important in the crew's history include:

• Micro Mix (also known as Craig Hunter)
• Frosty Freeze
• Mix Master Mike
• Ken Swift
• Rhettmatic
• Daisy Castro (also known as Baby Love), who sang on their hit song "(Hey You) The Rock Steady Crew."

Early Music Business Deals

In the early 1980s, a person named Kool Lady Blue helped manage the Rock Steady Crew. She was also known as Ruza Blue and started Club Negril and Roxy NYC.

Crazy Legs, who is the current President and a founder of the Manhattan branch, shared how important Kool Lady Blue was. He said she was his first manager and the first person to create a regular hip-hop event in downtown New York. He believes her story is a must-read for anyone wanting to learn how hip-hop culture spread from downtown to the rest of the world.

Rock Steady Crew's Music Albums and Songs

The Rock Steady Crew has released several albums and singles.

Albums Released

• Ready for Battle (released by Virgin Records in 1984)
• 30 Years to the Day (released by Truelements Music in 2007)

Popular Singles

Movie Appearances

The Rock Steady Crew has appeared in several feature films, helping to spread breakdancing and hip-hop culture to a wider audience:

• Wild Style (1982)
• Style Wars (1983)
• Flashdance (1983)
• Beat Street (1984)
• Moonwalker (1988)
• Streets Is Watching (1998)

Awards and Special Recognitions

The Rock Steady Crew has received many honors for their contributions to hip-hop culture.

Recognitions and Honors

• In 1992, at the Kennedy Center Honors, the audience gave a standing ovation for Rock Steady Crew's musical "So, What Happens Now?". Important people like President George Bush were there.
• The Rock Steady Crew was the first group of B-boys to perform at Carnegie Hall on January 19, 2001.
• In 2003, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York City declared July 26 as "Rock Steady Crew Day." This happened during the crew's 26th Anniversary Celebration at Pier 54.
• In 2004, Crazy Legs signed a deal with Fila Sportswear. This was a big deal because it was the first time a B-boy crew got their own special sneaker, called the "Rock Steady Crew 77."
• Also in 2004, Mr. Freeze accepted the Key to the City of Las Vegas for the Rock Steady Crew on February 21. That day was also named "Rock Steady Crew Day" in Las Vegas, and it's celebrated every year.
• The Rock Steady Crew was honored at the 2004 VH1 Hip Hop Honors Event.
• In 2008, the Borough President of The Bronx gave the Rock Steady Crew a special award called a Citation of Merit.