Rock Steady Crew

Active since its 1977 formation in the South Bronx, the Rock Steady Crew is both a breakdancing collective and occasional recording outlet that has spread its membership to include chapters in Japan, Italy, and Great Britain. Initiated by Jojo and Jimmy D., the crew has continually mutated throughout its existence; members have left the fold over the years, and those who join must first battle an existing member and win in order to be included. A 1982 show with Afrika Bambaataa earned enough respect from the pioneer that he allowed them to join the Zulu Nation. Members Ken Swift, Crazy Legs, Frosty Freeze, and Mr. Freeze briefly appeared in Flashdance in 1983, and by 1984, the Rock Steady Crew had a recording contract with Virgin. The single "Hey You (The Rock Steady Crew)" hit number 38 on the dance chart in the U.S.; it fared even better in the U.K., where sales exceeded a million copies. The full-length Ready for Battle followed shortly after that, but legal issues prevented the group from performing for a long stretch. Despite this, the RSC remained an entity throughout the early '00s. A single for Backspin was released in 2000. ~ Andy Kellman