Oyster Pep aka Lil Kriz ..
My First Encounter with Breakdancing
Introduction: 1984 was the year everything changed for me. My family had just moved from Detroit to Alexandria, VA, when my dad was transferred to DC. I was a kid, hungry for anything fresh and exciting. Little did I know that attending a Harlem Globetrotters game in 1983 would change my world.
The First Encounter with Breakdancing: At halftime, the Harlem Globetrotters brought out a group of guys who started breakdancing. I had never seen anything like it. These guys were pulling off moves that I couldn’t even comprehend at the time. They were spinning, popping, and locking with energy that felt electric. It was the Mighty Pop A Lots, and they became my introduction to breakdancing.
Hooked on the Culture: I was always tuned into things like this. I’d spend hours watching Solid Gold and music videos on a black-and-white TV, soaking in the latest dance moves. So, after witnessing the Mighty Pop A Lots, I went home and started obsessively watching old hip-hop movies. I must have watched Beat Street, Breakin’, Krush Groove and Michael Jackson Highlights a million times
Perfecting the Moonwalk: One of my friends had a VCR and recorded the Michael Jackson Motown Anniversary show where Michael debuted the moonwalk. Every time I went to his house, I would watch it over and over until I mastered it. I probably watched it 200 times. That tape was my secret weapon. It wasn’t easy to get your hands on videos back then, so I took full advantage of it.
Everyday Breakdancing: Soon after, breakdancing became my life. Every day before school, we’d meet for about 45 minutes to breakdance. It was our thing, and we did it for the next two and a half to three years. I was totally immersed in the culture. The one thing I never managed to get was a boombox with two speakers. I always had the mono version, and I was envious of the guys with detachable speakers—that was huge back then.
Hip-Hop on Rotation: The music was just as important as the moves. Back in the day, I’d record songs off the radio—tunes like Freakazoid and Jam On It drilled into my head on repeat. Hip-hop compilation tapes were also the go-to for hits. If you didn’t have access to a DJ or live in New York, those tapes were gold. My life revolved around breakdancing, music, and that cardboard floor.
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photo credit Chuck https://chuckpatch.tumblr.com/post/623543967642976257/the-mighty-popalots-oxon-hill-md-1984
Oyster Pep
photo credit Might Pop A lots Maryland 1984 Chuck https://chuckpatch.tumblr.com/post/623543967642976257/the-mighty-popalots-oxon-hill-md-1984