NY lost a hip hop pioneer on April 4. Wayne “Frosty Freeze” Frost of the legendary Rock Steady Crew passed away at the age of 44. Article below from the Associated Press.

By ULA ILNYTZKY, Associated Press Writer Fri Apr 4, 9:03 AM ET

NEW YORK - Wayne “Frosty Freeze” Frost, a hip-hop pioneer whose acrobatic performance with the legendary Rock Steady Crew in the 1983 movie “Flashdance” helped set off a worldwide breakdancing craze, has died. He was 44.

Frost died Thursday at Mount Sinai Medical Center after a long illness, said Jorge “Fabel” Pabon, a senior vice president of the crew where Frost and other so-called b-boys (for beat or break boys) made their name performing complicated and daring dance routines.

“He was one of most charismatic b-boys that ever lived,” said Benson Lee, director of the new documentary film “Planet B-Boy.”

Breakdancing emerged from the Bronx and Harlem in the early 1970s, part of the hip-hop culture that also included graffiti, MCing or rapping, and disc jockeys scratching and mixing vinyl records on turntables.

During extended pauses, or breaks, in the music, b-boys would mimic James Brown’s showmanship and footwork and Bruce Lee’s martial arts, adding their own signature moves.

Frost was known for his energetic style, intricate choreography and fearless moves including back flips and head spins. One was even dubbed the “Suicide.”

Frost got his start in 1978 with the Bronx-based Rock City Crew. In 1981, he became part of the Rock Steady Crew, joining such acclaimed breakdancers as Ken Swift and Lil Crazy Legs.

Frost toured the world with the Rock Steady Crew and other hip-hop artists, including Fab 5 Freddy, Futura 2000 and Kool Lady Blue.

Frost’s appearance with Rock Steady Crew in “Flashdance” spread the breakdance phenomenon globally, said Joseph Schloss, a visiting scholar in the music department at New York University. “He was one of the first B-boys that most people ever saw,” Schloss said.

Graffiti artist and close friend Zulu King Slone, who knew Frost for 15 years, said he was “like a walking hip-hop culture encyclopedia.”

As a member of the Rock Steady Crew, Frost also appeared in several movies on hip-hop culture, including “Wild Style,” “Beat Street” and “Style Wars.” He also appeared on the cover of the Village Voice in 1981.

Photo by Martha Cooper 1981

VIMBY has recently teamed up with Flavorpill.com to document their unique One Step Beyond event at the American Museum of Natural History. Many Upper West Sider’s and other NY’ers have taken their young ones for a visit to the iconic spot and tourists have been storming the place because of the popularity of Ben Stiller’s “Night at the Museum.” But, One Step Beyond is for a new crowd. Picture this, Kid Sister and Kanye performing next to a tyrannosaurus rex. It happened and so did Jazzy Jeff’s performance last month as well as last week’s performance by Simian Mobile Disco. So, check out the video and stay tuned for April’s upcoming event featuring Matthew Dear and Ambivalent.

Being a ex-MTV director, I have to admit that I was disappointed to see producers of American Idol bringing their style of competition reality production to an MTV show like Randy Jackson’s America’s Best Dance Crew. I pretty much avoided watching the show all season until my wife told me that I had to see this crew dance called the JabbawockeeZ. So, I gave in and watched a recent episode and all I could say was “damn.” Not only were these guys amazing, I now found myself trying to tivo the whole season so I could watch more of the Jabbawockeez. I see that the crew is in the finals and I hope they win the mofo.

VIMBY filmmaker Willie T. (and Epic) recently caught up with the JabbawockeeZ and a ton of other dance crews at the World of Dance competition in LA hosted by our friends at 21XL. Check the VIMBY exclusive video and make sure you vote for the masked wonders…

Noah Banks: Chicago is his Backyard

VIMBY preditor and Chicago filmmaker Noah Banks has been keeping us up on the Chicago scene with his numerous videos. Call it a “movement” or whatever you want, but the Windy City is red hot in terms of the music scene with acts like The Cool Kids, Flosstradamus, Hollywood Holt and Kid Sister leading the way.

VIMBY: Kanye, Common, and Lupe have given Chicago mainstream attention. However, there’s another bubbling scene going on. Tell us what’s happening in Chi-town on an underground level.

What you are seeing in Chicago is a collective of individuals who decided to pool their resources and talent to help each other gain momentum. These guys go to each others shows, sell one another’s mixtapes and really get down for each other.

VIMBY: You’re basically identifying some of best talent coming out of Chicago with your VIMBY videos whether it’s a musician or a clothing label. Tell us how you choose your subject matter.

I am that guy that sits on the park bench eating a salami sandwich and watching people. If “people watching” were an Olympic event I would at least get a bronze medal. I like working with artists who inspire me to be creative and think outside the box. You may not like every person I have made a segment on, but you have to admit they are all mega creative individuals.

VIMBY: You have a distinct style that comes across in your videos.
First, describe your style and second, tell us who or what inspires you?

To put it simply I like to allow the individuals to tell their own stories. Everyone has an interesting story you just have to allow him or her to tell it. I am inspired by everything from pigeons to the guy that sells hot dogs at the Bulls Game.

VIMBY: The VIMBY “preditor” is the all-encompassing filmmaker who can produce, shoot, and edit. Discuss the importance of being a well-rounded filmmaker who can do it all in this era of new media.

Whether you like to direct, shoot or edit - working on each facet of the filmmaking process helps to make you a strong filmmaker. Each step intrinsically affects the next. It takes a lot of focus to interview a subject while checking your exposure and riding the sound levels. It can be difficult, but very fun. The only problem is you can’t blame your mistakes on anyone else like I usually attempt to do.

VIMBY: Biggie, Tupac… or Kanye?

“Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, when I was dead broke man I couldn’t picture this.”

VIMBY: Need we say more, baby baaaaby!

In case you don’t know, here are few of our favorite Noah Bank’s bangers:
Copperpot, St. Alfreds, Psalm One, and Leaders 1354

Marco Svizzero - a Bay area filmmaker and VIMBY preditor first made a name for himself in the BMX world with his Cuttin It Deep video. He continues to make his mark through the numerous signature videos he’s rocked for us. We recently caught up with the filmmaker and here’s what homeboy had to say.

VIMBY: Tell us how you got started filming BMX.

MARCO: In middle school I would make stop motion videos with my star wars action figures. That was when I began to get interested in cameras and visualize things through a lens. When I later got into bmx bikes, it only seemed natural that I film. I never intended to film professionally but Eddie Cleveland and Mike Ardelean helped me a lot getting started. It was crazy filming the recent Fit Bikes video with Van Homan, a rider who I had greatly looked up to since I saw my first bmx video, Criminal Mischief.

VIMBY: Name some of the challenges you face in the field shooting BMX.

MARCO: We get kicked out of a lot of spots and I often have to pack up my equipment in a hurry and get out of there before security arrives. Often at the first sign of a security guard, all the riders well jet off on their bikes leaving me alone with all my camera equipment to pack up. Filming bmx has allowed me to travel to a lot of really great places but it has also brought me to a lot of grimy ones. The best street spots are often located in the worse parts of town. I never worry about my own personal safety but rather the possibility of my camera equipment being stolen. We just go in the daytime, mind our own business, be respectful and people let us do our thing.

VIMBY: In your opinion, what makes a successful BMX segment?

To me, good filming and good tricks make a successful bmx segment. When filming tricks, you often have to find an angle that accentuates both the trick and the obstacle. Good filming can make an OK trick look great, where poor filming can make a great trick look bad.

VIMBY: The obvious choice of music for most action sports videos is something fast and hard like punk rock or hard core. You often use more downtempo beats. Talk about your music choices and why you feel they work with your BMX pieces.

MARCO: When choosing music, I try to find a song that not only can be listened to dozens of times and still be good but also one that doesn’t over power the subject. None of us really live a fast hardcore lifestyle, we just chill and ride bikes, so I think some of the downtempo music captures that a little better. Marsh contributed a lot of music to my past segments and Dregs 1 and Kirby Dominant have been kind enough to give me some rap music for upcoming pieces.

VIMBY: With VIMBY, you’ve been branching out into music and lifestyle videos.  Discuss your transition from action sports to these new genres.

MARCO: Branching out into music and lifestyle videos has definitely helped me grow as a filmmaker. I have met a lot of awesome people and it has been an exciting challenge to work outside of my comfort zone and film something other than bmx. Since branching out I have become a more confident and well rounded filmmaker which has also helped me working with bmx.

VIMBY filmmaker Josh Friedberg rolled down to the Tampa AM 2008 skate competition to capture the action. Check out highlights from this two part series. Eduardo Craig… we see your ass muggin’ in the camera. Booyah!

Stayed tuned for Josh’s coverage of some il skating at this weekend’s ASR.

Our man DJ Phillee Blunt and the Illvibe Collective bring you once again “Bodyrock” featuring DJ Ultraviolet - the first female DJ to bless the Techniques. Check it!

@ M ROOM
15 W. Girard Ave.
(On Girard between Front and Frankford, near McDonald’s and Johnny Brenda’s)

$7….$5 on reduced…email: info@illvibe.net

Doors at 10PM…

Nerds have always had their place in history from Farmer Ted in Sixteen Candles to the Lambda Lambda Lambdas in Revenge of the Nerds, but so called “nerds” have burst into the mainstream with the emergence of Hollywood’s “Apatow” crew. Judd Apatow, the writer of the short lived TV series “Freaks and Geeks” has risen to the top of the Hollywood elite putting faces like Seth Rogan on the map.

How appropriate that a calendar of hot chicks be created to cater to the nerds of world. The Nerdcore calendar definitely gives the Pirelli calendar a run for its money. I’m a fan and you should be too. If that makes me a nerd, then so be it.

Check our VIMBY coverage of the Nerdcore calendar signing by Willie T.

Don’t get me wrong, I like the Nike watch my sister gave me and the key chain digital camera my friend sent, but there are some really cool things I found on VIMBY LIFE that would have made my X-Mas more special.

Here’s a list of things I wish Santa brought over:

10. Notorious B.I.G. Shot Glasses from 4-Play BK
09. Gift certificate from Kustom Thrills Tattoo
08. Zip up hoodie from Donation
07. Limited edition Serrato Nikes from Nike Pt.
06. Billie Jean King skateboard from the Untitled Show
05. A new pair of Ernest Sewn jeans from HEM
04. Brian Morris original from Rotofugi
03. Gucci Inspired Dunks from Flight Club
02. J. Dilla Messenger Bag from R.E.Load

and last but not least….

01. Moped from Warbux

Our good friends over at URB have put together a dope shopping event this weekend in the LA Melrose Heights & Fairfax District. VIMBY is a co-sponsor along with our new partner Fusicology, our pals Going.com, and a slew of other style makers.

By registering @ urb.com/looksharp you’ll get up to 40% off participating stores. We’re talking about the creme of crop people like The Hundreds, Hall of Fame, SLB’s, Turntable Lab, XIN, Flight Club/Bape, Kid Robot, Paul Frank, Fitzsu, G-Star, Catwalk Vintage Boutique, The Lotta Stennson Boutique, Creatures of Comfort, Thesis Boutique, Style Park, Gas Bijoux, Dussault Apparel Motor Store, Fornarina and Crooks & Castle who will be having their grand opening.

Of course, the VIMBY CREW will be out in the streets shooting the event and talking to the shoppers. We’ll also be filming the after party Sat. night at XIN where Hit & Run will be on-site screen printing.

So, come one come all and support local retail & get your face seen in a VIMBY video.