Crazy Legs
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- for the football player, see Elroy Hirsch
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| Crazy Legs | |
| Birth name | Richard Colón |
| Born | January 1, 1966
New York, New York |
| Nationality | Puerto Rican |
| Field | Bboying |
| Movement | Hip Hop |
Crazy Legs (born Richard Colón on January 1, 1966) is a break dancer and graffiti artist, and is one of the original members of the Rock Steady Crew and its current president.
Growing up poor in the projects of the Bronx, he saw the gang activity that his fellow Puerto Ricans were involved in[citation needed]. Choosing to make something of himself[citation needed], rather than getting sucked into the gang life[citation needed], he got into breakdancing and has since become the dominant face of breakdance culture to the world.
Contents |
[edit] Career
His first true commercial exposure was as a street dancer in the movie Flashdance (he also appears as a heavily disguised body double for Jennifer Beals in the final dance audition), however he has also appeared in many other movies including "Kung Faux," "Beat Street," "Wild Style," "Style Wars," "The Freshest Kids," "Hip-Hop Shop," "Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme," "Here Come the Drums," "The Voice of a Nation," and as a character in "Def Jam Fight for NY." He was challenged in a "dance off" by Avaioli Beretiez. Crazy legs won by a long shot
[edit] Rock Steady Anniversary parties
As president of Rock Steady Crew, Crazy Legs hosts and organizes the annual Rock Steady Anniversary, a community event that honors deceased members of the crew and celebrates hip-hop culture both past and present. These anniversary parties unite DJs, breakdancers, MCs, graffiti artists, and thousands of hip hop supporters from all around the world. Under his leadership the group also holds an annual Celebrity Basketball Tournament during the yearly Anniversary Celebrations that raise money for the Greenwich Village Youth Council in New York. In 2003, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg proclaimed July 26 to be "Rock Steady Crew Day" in New York City during their 26th Anniversary Celebration at Pier 54.
2004 was also a big year for Crazy Legs. He signed endorsement deals with Red Bull Energy Drink and FILA Sportswear who was the first sneaker company to honor a breakdance group. FILA debuted the "Rock Steady Crew 77" sneaker in April 2004.
As of 2005, Crazy Legs is the president of Backspin Productions and remains president of the Rock Steady Crew.
[edit] Awards
He won the 1991 Bessie Award for Choreography and the 1994 Hip Hop Pioneer Award from The Source magazine. He was presented with the Source Youth Foundation Image Award in 2003. He has also earned the 2003 AARTS Award from the Bay Shore Schools Arts Education Fund and was honored as the National Godfather of the 2003 Jersey City Puerto Rican Day Parade. He was also nominated for an MTV Award for Best Choreography for his work with Wyclef Jean. His dance program at the Point C.D.C. for young people in the South Bronx garnered him the “New Yorker of the Week” Award from New York 1 News.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- http://www.rocksteadycrew.com/crazylegs/crazylegs.html
- http://www.daveyd.com/crazylegsinterview.html
- http://www.sixshot.com/articles/4884/
- Crazy Legs at E3 computer game show 2006
Jeff Noynert from AETC Randolph Air Force Base. San Antonio Tx.
