Since its inception in 1977, The Rock Steady Crew has upheld the vision of great B-boys and B-girls who have redefined modern day dance and Hip Hop art. Since its inception in 1977, The Rock Steady Crew has upheld the vision of great B-boys and B-girls who have redefined modern day dance and Hip Hop art. Throughout their career, RSC has showcased their skills from the streets to Carnegie Hall to the Royal Variety Performance for the Queen of England. They were honored at the first VH1 Hip Hop Honors, and have appeared several TV shows, including NBC's Dancing With The Stars. Additionally, Crazy Legs has performed in films and on Broadway, and has choreographed videos and appearances for celebrities including John Leguizamo, Wyclef John and Moby.

Each year, RSC President Crazy Legs coordinates the anniversary in conjunction with the Backspin Productions team to produce the best events possible for the enjoyment of everyone who attends. "Our goal is to always provide the global community with a nice balance of Hip Hop that caters to people who support all elements of our culture," explains Crazy Legs. "This year we will be honoring the legacy of Wayne 'Frosty Freeze' Frost, who recently passed away on April 3, 2008. Frosty Freeze was one of the last B-boys who embodied the very DNA of the original style, character and moves that existed when this dance began in the early '70s."

In the unsettling social climate of our world today, the Rock Steady Crew bonds as a multi-cultural international family. The anniversary is anticipated each year by thousands of people, many of whom plan their travel for months in advance to attend. 

"For some reason, Hip Hop has that natural ability to bring people together and bridge the gaps that divide us, because of our common interest," says Crazy Legs. "When people come to the RSC anniversary, it becomes more than the anniversary. It’s a pilgrimage to the Mecca of Hip Hop. It’s a way to get in touch with why they got in to Hip Hop, and to meet some of the people that help to pioneer this culture. And what better time and place to do it than NYC in the summer time?"

The Rock Steady Crew 31st Anniversary events begin the morning of Thursday, July 24, 2008 with the Celebrity Benefit Basketball Challenge and the Against The Grain Concrete B-Boy/B-Girl Battle at NYC's infamous bball battleground, The Cage on West 4th Street. As the afternoon progresses, a B-boy dance workshop will be presented by Crazy Legs at the Red Bull building. The night will round out with the "For The Funk Of It" Funkstyles Party, featuring a special live performance from Hip Hop pioneer Kurtis Blow.

On Friday, July 25, Frienemies will meet and represent the B-boy/B-girl ciphers at 101 River View at Grand Hall on Sixth Avenue in NYC. This will also be the UK B-boy Championships US Qualifier, deciding who will go on to represent the nation in the ultimate international B-boy challenge. The iconic DJ Red Alert will spin breakbeats at the event in honor of his "25 Years on Radio Anniversary."

Everyone will reconvene at the Grand Hall on Saturday, July 26 for a full day of intense 5-on-5 Crew Battles and the Spy Awards. B-boys and B-girls from around the world will represent to win the grand prize, as round-by-round eliminations ultimately decide the winning crew. July 26 is also proudly the Official Rock Steady Crew Day in New York City, as proclaimed by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

For the anniversary's grand finale, Rock Steady is joining with Newark, New Jersey's Third Annual Lincoln Park Music Festival on Sunday July 27 to present the Free Outdoor Concert and Food Drive in honor of Frosty Freeze.

This acclaimed all-day concert is open to the public, and will feature performances from several amazing artists, including The Beatnuts, Buckshot, Craig G & Marley Marl, Sadat X, Soul Sonic Force, Positive K, Grand Master Caz, DJ Premier featuring NYG’z & Blaq Poet, Q-Unique, Termanology & DJ Statik Selektah, A-OK, Akrobatik, Skyzoo, Double Barrel and a Female Cipher – Lyric a.k.a. Sara Kana, Mala Reignz & Patty Dukes. An official after party with DJ Evil Dee at the helm will take place at the Red Bull building in NYC after the outdoor concert.

With each anniversary comes new opportunities to reach the masses, and The Rock Steady Crew embraces the ability to use their collective energy for the greater good. "With out making it our agenda, we carry ourselves in a manner that is respectful to all cultural backgrounds and genders," Crazy Legs says. "Our goal as Rock Steady Crew is to help promote Hip Hop in the best way that we can. Hip Hop is a natural aphrodisiac for social bonding. We all should all see it for what it is, and embrace all the positive elements that it brings to us and spread that Hip Hop love."

For more information on the Rock Steady Crew 31st Anniversary, go to www.rocksteadycrew.com

RSC 31ST ANNIVERSARY JULY 24-27, 2008 SCHEDULE

Thursday, July 24

Time: 11:00am – 3:00pm
Celebrity Benefit Basketball Challenge – Come watch members of the Hip-Hop and Film community compete for bragging rights

Against The Grain: Concrete B-boy / B-girl battle – B-boys and B-girls from all over the world battle it out for the $500 prize.

Location:  The Cage – West 3rd Street & 6th Avenue (New York, NY)
DJ: Servin’ Ervin

Admission:  Free

Workshops

Time: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Location: Red Bull Building – 15 Watts (by W. Broadway)

Admission:  $25.00
*B-boy / B-girl: Crazy Legs
You want to know how it’s done?  These speakers are the best at what they do and share insight on how they make their magic happen.

   
“For The Funk Of It” Funkstyles Party
Time: 9:00pm – 1:00am

Location: Red Bull Building – 15 Watts (by W. Broadway)
DJ:  Doc

Admission: Free
Self explanatory! Come get loose and show us what you got.

Live Performance by Kurtis Blow

Friday, July 25

Time: 3:00pm – 9:00pm
Frienemies

UK B-boy Championships US Qualifier: U.S. contestants go at it to see who will represent the U.S. in the UK B-boy Championship.

Location: 101 River View at Grand Hall – 101 Sixth Ave. (btwn. Grand & Watt)
Hosted By: Crazy Legs
DJ: Crazy Legs & Red Alert (Celebrating his 25th Anniversary as a Hip Hop Radio DJ) 

Admission: $20.00

About Frienemies: This event will bring an underground event to crown one B-boy or B-girl as the BEST. Each one has to represent the most effectively throughout the day in a STRICTLY CIPHER-driven event.

Frienemies is about representing in the ciphers. Every B-boy and B-girl is on their own!  No preset battles. In the early to mid '80s, breaking was at an all-time high throughout the world. Crews were rolling thick, and a lot of them were at peace. The only time they didn't get along was when it was time to battle in the club. Rock Steady Crew and New York City Breakers were going to places like Negril, The Roxy, Kennedy High School and other places where jams were going down.

No one was worried about hurting someone’s feelings or concerned with battling their own friends, but rather battled with a fierce will to win. We were all "FRIENEMIES." ‘Frienemies” is the place to battle that person that you chill with on a regular basis and show him/her that they’re not as good as they brag about all the time.

Saturday, July 26

Time: 3:00pm – 9:00pm

5 vs 5 Crew Battle

Spy Awards : The Spy Award is being presented to Bebe of Miami's Ground Zero Crew 

Location: 101 River View at Grand Hall – 101 Sixth Ave. (btwn. Grand & Watt)
Hosted By: Crazy Legs
DJ:  DV One & Skeme Richards

Admission:  $25.00
July 26 is Official Rock Steady Crew Day In NYC, as proclaimed by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg

Sunday, July 27

Time: 12:00pm – 8:00pm
3rd Annual Lincoln Park Music Festival
Free Outdoor Concert & Food Drive
In Memory of “Frosty Freeze”

Location:  Lincoln Park – 1 Lincoln, Newark, NJ (Broad St. & Clinton Ave.)
Hosted by:  E.O.W.
DJ’s:  JS-1, Eclipse & Sucio Smash
Beat Battle: Meet The Producers vs. Big Tune 
Em Cee’s:  The Beatnuts, Buckshot, Craig G & Marley Marl, Sadat X, Soul Sonic Force, Positive K, Grand Master Caz, DJ Premier feat. NYG’z & Blaq Poet, Q-Unique, Termanology & DJ Statik Selektah, A-OK, Akrobatik, Skyzoo, Double Barrel, a Female Cipher – Lyric a.k.a. Sara Kana, Mala Reignz & Patty Dukes

Official After Party
Time: 9:00pm – 1:00am
Location: Red Bull Building – 15 Watts (by W. Broadway)
DJ:  Evil Dee 

Admission: Free

Venues subject to change. 

Check www.rocksteadycrew.com for updates.