Post by haihat on Nov 6, 2005 14:57:23 GMT -5
taken from freestylesession message board posted by hdt415.
KEN SWIFT INTERVIEW
What keeps you going?
I guess its a combination of a few things: I like to dance, I like to travel, I like to teach. I can make a few bucks here and there. The compliments I get inspire me. The scene is kinda wack, it makes we want to keep goin' on with the traditional styles. When niggas I came up with play themselves for money and are jealous because they can't stay in the mix and I can. But most of all, it's the music, the music is always gonna snatch me up.
Why did you start with breaking and when?
First off, I started late. I ain't gonna start talkin that original this and that. I'm second generation, I have to give respect to the people who came before me. Right after I started writin I saw it, I tried it and it felt dope. Then I started practicing in '79. It was somethin different. Me and my boys was wild street kids, we used to play on rooftops, in junkyards doin' stunts with bikes and skateboards, playin crazy games in the school parks so when I saw it it was perfect for me. It let me wild out physically, I was kinda hyper so I had the energy for it.
Who did you get inspired by or looked up too?
My first inspirations were Kid Terrific, Markie Dee, The . 1 Sure Shot Boys from Manhattan, Frosty Freeze, Magnetic Ron Daris, Kid Sorceror, Greggo from The Executioners, The Light Brothers, Ice Ice from The Shamrock Crew. I looked up to the older bboys.
How was tha attitude during the seventies/early eighties?
The attitude was about rockin, ya see around my way heads was just gettin the flow from the Bronx, we were young, we had the whole summer to chill, most of the day was like goin' to the pool or the beach in Brooklyn, goin' to different neighborhoods to meet girls, we started Djin, Mcin, it was like innocent. I kinda liked the street rep aspect of it and the girls liked the breaking. We would hear music comin' from somewhere and follow it til we found the jam. Heads was bringin equipment out, dudes was rhymin, we was street bombin, rackin, vickin.... It was like some street adventure nuts. As far as bitin', you just couldn't do it without bein' dissed. You had to flip nuts around and try to come up with your own signature. People would recognize and remember you by your moves or style, everbody had at least one thing that they kind of made up.
Who has inspired you the most?
It's hard to say... If you mean in BBoyin': Eddie Ed (for the uprock), Lenny Len (for the footwork and tracks), Greggo (his original sick moves), Spy (his character, delivery), Magnetic and Kid Galaxy ( the unbelievable power), Shakie (the dont give a f**k character), ...the inspiration doesn't stop. Most of the biggest inspirations are from my people who have stayed true to me and got my back to the end. Peace and Respect to the Young City Boys.
What's up with Rock Steady now?
To be honest I really dont know. I rep RSC to the death but ever since me and Legs had a fallout, alot of the people in RSC have changed up on me. RSC is a business. Understand that RSC ended in the eighties. In the early nineties RSC Seven Gems was bringin back that true feeling but when you look at the reason why Seven Gems ended, you can see clearly that we were no longer young and innocent. The real spirit of RSC, that family young innocent, pre-money era, is over. Money and fame have taken over. I have the utmost respect for the legacy and will continue to carry the flag forever, but I understand the truth. Ya see, back in the days a bunch of kids from the Bronx and Manhattan built the name into what it is today, it seems like today, the name makes people who they are. Like once they get in, all of a sudden they are official... see... I came from the days when you battled to get in, stricktly breakin. Peace to the nasty kids that are RSC but there are pople that don't even break in RSC now. The newer kids try to be tight but they don't see the truth, and alot of them don't want to stir the water in fear that they might get the boot. I stood up for what I believe in and knew that we all were all important, I've always looked at the best interest of my crew, but I refuse to be under anybody... I paid my dues like the next man and when you stand up there can be repercusions. Nobody else stood up... but then again who could?
What's the differense between breaking today and when you started, is it better or worse?
The scene is to big to generalize, it's better in some places and worse in other places. It's very different because there is so many things involved: money, commercialism, etc. It was about street rep back in the days, we had fun and didn't do it all day and night. When the moment presented itself, we rocked... anywhere. Nowadays, everybody wants to be on TV, and they don't give a f**k in what image. If there's a jam, kids be like sayin' "how much is it for the contest". If theres no prize, they wont go. All styles were evolving so we just tried to stay up with them. We didn't do too much hatin' on other styles 'cause they were all fat. People are throwin' jams and inviting star bboys and if there weren't any star bboys on the list, people won't go. Fraudulent heads are doin' events and makin' doe, and half of them don't even break or know anything about Hip Hop Culture.
What do you think about todays big jams and music videos with breaking in it?
Some big jams are good, some corny as f**k. When big sponsors come in the picture sometimes they want to put their corny ideas or unsigned wack rappers on the bill. These heads are lookin' for that dollar first. Ask 'em to do it for free and see what they say. One top event organizer, who does a so called Hip Hop Anniversary, was having trouble raising money and he said “this is gonna be the last one”. C'mon, bee, what the f**k is that about, an anniversary is a yearly celebration regardless. Ya see, people aren't really paying homage to Hip Hop Culture, they depend on the commodity (Hip Hop) paying them. Don't get me wrong, I need to make my loot also, but I'd rather sweep the street to make money than rip my culture. I respect people who straight say. I'm in it for the money, at least they are being honest, it's business nahmeen. But don't put up that front like you love Hip Hop 'cause you full a nuts to me. I think it's cool as long as you don't make breaking look like just one thing. Usually it's a spin or flip, if you notice they never show a bboy or bgirl making a connection with a song and expressing their character. I don't think bboys that do videos have that much control unless they are the main choreographer, and that's rare. I don't blame the young kids though, some kids want to be entertainers, i'm not hatin' on them, half of them don't know better. It bothers me when kids I came up with, so called pioneers dress up with tiger pants and leopard shirts with bootie socks around their sneakers and break in front of a forest backdrop, or paint their faces like a clown, I mean, I know its about money sometimes but d**n, people see that nuts and don't respect breaking as a legitimate dance. Or it's also wack when they break in a video that don't even have a break in the music. I mean I used to sit on panels with these same pioneers who spoke against that 17 years ago.
Tell us about the crews you've been a member of and what a crew means to you?
I started the Young City Boys crew in '78. I was Pres. Doze was the Vice Pres. It was Andy (Baby Love’s brother), Dante, DenoRock (RIP), Stevie Dee, Ty Fly, Lil Ty Fly, Fly Ty, Nel Ski, Puerto Rican Chiquiting, White Chic, Demon, E from 105, Hec from 106, fat sammy. These people are still to this day my fam, some of them are still around the block. Then it was RSC... on the side I had the street click MNM. We used to call it Mad Mugsy Nation. Makin Money, Lil Al Capone, Chino Spider, Lil Lucan, Deno Rock, Fred Dobbs, Biejo, Lil Rocky, among many other bug out kids. I also had SKI Crew. Swift Kids Incorporated, I'm thinkin' about startin' that up again with the young cats today.
How do you define breaking?
Breaking is a term used to describe what a B.Boy does. I laugh when people use the term Breakdancing, it shows me where they are comin from. Some people use the term like that even while they know the real term just so they can sell tickets to people who have to be sthingy fed commercial terms in order to attend. Physically, Breaking would be dancing to the break of a song. To me the dance consists of a top dance style, circular footwork patterns, flips and swipes, spins on all parts of the body and freezes. There are many many more ingredients of course, but I think these are the essentials. I think the foundation is the attitude of being a bboy/bgirl. Hearing sounds and rhythms, absorbing them, dancing to them, singing and acting out some of the lyrics, believing you are the best dancer for that song or circle and losing yourself in a song/connecting to the music, primarily the drum. If you are doing those, to me ,that's 90 percent of bein a bboy. If you can't apply those elements to your moves, I don't think people will feel you. It's very deep, since the beginning of time, dance has played a part in expressing one thing or another. If you ever get lost in a song it can make you feel like you're not even thinking, that's the ultimate satisfaction. You may not even realize it till it's all over. Breaking is a very important dance that needs to be respected like all dances that exist today, it has vocabulary and unlimited possibilities. We need to represent the dance as best we can.
How has your style evolved through the years?
I've just tried to adapt to what's goin' on and let the music guide me. To me, the music is the key for my best inspiration, there is such a vast amount of music from so many different places. You can always hear something that you haven't heard before. Old music works well for me, it reminds me when I first started. It helps me recapture images of that time, and keeps me in touch with the traditional bboy stock. I try to keep a lil' bit of Footwork and seventies eighties in my breakin. I tapped into alot of old moves and reinvented them, brought them up to the time and I also listen to my body. If i can't see how a move looks I depend on the flow. If it feels good, most of the time it will look good, some moves feel abstract and different but if you can't execute a good delivery, it may not look to hot.
Tell us about the classic battle between RSC and NYCB in Beat Street. Were there any cool moves or combinations that didn't make it to the movies?
I know there were dope moves on both sides but I can't remember that much. One thing that I can tell you is that we were straight blazin' 'em with the routines. They told us not to do them because it kinda made the battle look one sided.
Besides breaking what is your passion in life?
I just want to be happy with myself and do the right thing for my family, that's all I can ask for.
What are your plans now?
I want to challenge myself with something different, something totally contrast. I'm very happy with my career as a bboy. I can move on now with dignity, money has never interupted my goals as a dancer. I mean, my name isn't big commercially, I could've got an agent and made mad loot but... I've tried to stay underground and I think I did a good job. Now that I'm done, now I want to start makin' that REAL loot. I'm goin' for the cream now, it's about my kids and their future etc.
What do you think is lacking in breaking today?
Dancing.
Will you do any shows or go to any jams this year?
My last show and appearance is New Zealand on September 14. I have interviews and job opportunities lined up in NYC. I'm goin' for that 9 to 5 action so I doubt I'm goin anywhere. They want to give me a Lifetime Achievement Award at The Mighty 4 in San Francisco on November 17th.
This site is dedicated to Throw Down, you had met them in 1994 in a big jam in Germany, what's your opinion of Throw Down?
I have the utmost respect for Throw Down, they’ve treated me with respect from the jump and were genuine people. I remember standing in this gigantic building, believe it was Hannover, Throw Down was the first to start breaking. There wasn't even a circle, they just started rippin nuts. Mad heads was intimidated, I liked the fact that they didn't care who was there, they was just gettin' down. Yerkis top style had old characteristics. The styles were different which made them dope because they were versatile. The two main people who reinspired me from Europe in those years were Maurizio (Italy) and none other than the one and only Mad Nico. Nuff said, them niggas is assasins.
___________________________________________________
Ken Swift - Rock Steady Crew (N.Y.C.)
1)Tell us something about your self.Where you are from? What got you into breaking? When did you start? How did you start?
My name is Ken Swift, I live in New York City, Ive been breaking for about 24 years. I 1978-79 started writin graff, then DJ'in and MC'in and then I started breaking. I started when I saw my friend do a move in his house. Soon after that I started "The Young City Boys" in uptown Manhattan on (97th st. & Amsterdam Ave. 1979.
2) Who influenced you? Did you have any idols?
People like Shakie, Greggo, Lenny Len, Eddie Ed, Frosty Freeze, Ron Daris, Doze, Deno Rock, Kid Terrific, Magnetic and many more.
3.) was it hard back in the late 70`s to get breaking stuff (gear, instructional movies)?
There was no Breaking stuff, the dance had just begun and it was just starting to grow, there was no reference other than watching and learning on your own. Its wild because the gear we wore back then wasn't made for Hip Hop like it is today, …we made the stuff that was out there look funky by the way we detailed it when we dressed up.
4.) How would you define breaking?What makes you a Bboy?Has this definition changed through the last four decades?
The original Breaking is dancing to different types of break sections of various music that have incredible beats. After dancing on top to the beat, Its using circular leg patterns & shuffles, swipes(Footwork), ..also using flips and aerial movements (High Swipes, backflips, front flips) various quickly stopped movements in different positions(Freezes) and spins on all parts of the body possible. What makes you a B.Boy is your rhythmic ability combined with the types of moves I mentioned plus your originality and personality, …it's a combination of all of those aspects. It has'nt changed, ..but some people have tried to change it.
5.) Has the way you look at Bboying changed as you grew up? What did it mean to you when you were a kid and what does it mean to you now?
It has changed a lot but at the same time its still the same feeling internally, ..Ive always loved music and music is the key to breaking, ..as long as there is music the feeling with always be a part of me. In 2003 it means a little more because I see how it has been such an important part of my life overall, ….it has helped me enjoy who I am and experience so many different things along the way.
6.) How did you star with Rock Steady Crew? Did you have to battle any of the members to get accepted? If you did - who did you battle?
In the 2nd generation of RSC's first year, I met Frosty Freeze and through Frosty is how I ended up battling Legs, ..I battled because that's what me and my crew "The Young City Boys" did, ….i didn't battle to get in, I just battled because we were in a place where there was music and it went down like that. After that Crazy Legs asked me to be a part of RSC. But lets be clear, I didn't battle to be accepted.
7.) You have a female member in your crew - Jules. What do you think about female breakers?
Jules is mad dope but she just got in RSC a couple of years ago, ..RSC has had B.girls for over twenty years, there have been many dope bgirls in RSC, …..…but, …to answer yr question, …Like I said Jules is pretty tight, ..she gets better every time I see her, …female breakers are gonna be stepping up in the years to come.
8.) What`s the difference between Old school and New school? Do people approach breaking differently nowdays? Has the style changed?
I really don't like to put labels on the times in history but to answer your question, Back then it was new and fresh and your character played a huge part of it, …..there was no style or move to be jealous about or disrespect, and there wasn't that much deep history to study, there were no videos or films and back then and if you violated someone or was at the wrong place at the wrong time and you danced well in some one else's neighborhood, you might get jumped. Some people approach it the same and some differently, it depends on the history that you got when you started dancing, …if you learned about how it was back in the days then you had an appreciation for what its been through, …if you just learned it through looking at it you might just focus more on it as athleticism. The styles come and go, …some change and then come back, ….but they keep on getting better in my opinion.
9.) How did you get accepted as a member of the Zulu Kings?
We RSC did a performance at The Ritz with The Soulsonic Force and then Bambattaa put us in as chapter 3 of the Zulu Nation, we were then Zulu Kings. Peace to Lil Man, Mr. Freeze, Take One, Frosty Freeze, Chino, Lenny Len, Ty Fly, Kippy Dee (RIP) & Doze.
10.) How do you look at Hip Hop culture in general? Have you ever written song,done a grafiti,…
That's about all we did when we were younger, …we wrote graff like every night and danced whenever the opportunity presented itself. In the early eighties we (The YCBoys), ..used to bring our equipment out to the streets and we used to DJ and rhyme and all that, …..Ive always kicked rhymes here and there, ….Ive MC'd on a few tracks here and there, I mean that's just what we do, ….the people I've ran with have always done it all, you name it we probably did it.
11.) Which type of music do you listen to when you break and wich when you are at home,relaxing? Name some of your favorite artists!
When Im dancing, …theres so much music, …Seventies Soul, …a lil Disco, …some rock breaks, ..some Jazz breaks, ….anything that got a fat beat to it, …I like to dance to different tempos and flip my text with different instruments. When I'm at home I like, La India, Chaka Kahn, El Gran Combo, Angela Bofill, Steely Dan, some SalSoul Orchestra, Atlantic Starr, The Brothers Johnson, Level 42, Kraftwerk, Jenny Burton, Freeze, El Debarge, Tom Tom Club, Art Of Noise, some Mobb Deep, ..a lil Nas, …anything QB, …DITC, …. …...anything Eighties,….. …music is the best for me, theres too much to mention, ….…it will always be part of my life.
12.) Have you ever thought of stopping breaking?Maybe get involved in something else?
Ive thought of stopping many times but have learned that it will always be in my life somehow, …absorbing music is more mental than physical, ..so, ..conceptually I will break till I leave this planet.
13.) Power moves, footwork, freezes, popin, lockin,…. Which style do you prefer best?
I prefer Footwork & Freezes, ..but I would never enjoy the whole dance without all of the styles available to me to use.
14.) What do you think about battles?Is rivalry good?
Battles have, and will keep this dance alive for many years to come , …it keeps the progression healthy. If it was'nt for Battling, ..this dance would have disappeared.
15.) How long do you plan to breakdance? Where do you see your life going when you finish?
Im just taking things one day at a time, …I would love to dance forever so at this point Im not doing too bad, I'll be 37 in August so, ..I still enjoy it as much and some times more than when I was younger.
16.) Achievements, movies , awards, tricks you are the most proud at!
Im proud to continue in the legacy of the dancers who came before me. Ive had older dancers give me respect for dancing the original style and to me that is the greatest form of recognition. Ive always tried to stay true to the art form and when they give me props it feels super incredible.
17.) What do you think about European breaking scene? Any intentions of coming to Europe soon?
I like and respect the whole Hip Hop scene in Europe, I have many friends out there and always look forward to opportunities to visit their cities. Keep your ears open, …ya never know, ….Maybe Sweden in March 2003?!!?/!!!
18.) Your favorite trick or combination!
Dragon Tail Leg Kick, Miracle Whip
19.) Your message to the little kids who are trying to break.
Study the history, ..dance to the beat, ..try to be unique and original while still using fundamentals. Respect yr mind and body, …believe in yourself, ……get a steady education and something to fall back on in your future.
20.) Say whatever is on your mind!
I have to always thank God for my life, …..and of course to my mother Ilsa Gabbert, …Viva Puerto Rico. Peace, Ken Swift Real Rock Steady Crew Pioneers 2003.
BreakLife Rebels 4 ever.
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KEN SWIFT INTERVIEW
What keeps you going?
I guess its a combination of a few things: I like to dance, I like to travel, I like to teach. I can make a few bucks here and there. The compliments I get inspire me. The scene is kinda wack, it makes we want to keep goin' on with the traditional styles. When niggas I came up with play themselves for money and are jealous because they can't stay in the mix and I can. But most of all, it's the music, the music is always gonna snatch me up.
Why did you start with breaking and when?
First off, I started late. I ain't gonna start talkin that original this and that. I'm second generation, I have to give respect to the people who came before me. Right after I started writin I saw it, I tried it and it felt dope. Then I started practicing in '79. It was somethin different. Me and my boys was wild street kids, we used to play on rooftops, in junkyards doin' stunts with bikes and skateboards, playin crazy games in the school parks so when I saw it it was perfect for me. It let me wild out physically, I was kinda hyper so I had the energy for it.
Who did you get inspired by or looked up too?
My first inspirations were Kid Terrific, Markie Dee, The . 1 Sure Shot Boys from Manhattan, Frosty Freeze, Magnetic Ron Daris, Kid Sorceror, Greggo from The Executioners, The Light Brothers, Ice Ice from The Shamrock Crew. I looked up to the older bboys.
How was tha attitude during the seventies/early eighties?
The attitude was about rockin, ya see around my way heads was just gettin the flow from the Bronx, we were young, we had the whole summer to chill, most of the day was like goin' to the pool or the beach in Brooklyn, goin' to different neighborhoods to meet girls, we started Djin, Mcin, it was like innocent. I kinda liked the street rep aspect of it and the girls liked the breaking. We would hear music comin' from somewhere and follow it til we found the jam. Heads was bringin equipment out, dudes was rhymin, we was street bombin, rackin, vickin.... It was like some street adventure nuts. As far as bitin', you just couldn't do it without bein' dissed. You had to flip nuts around and try to come up with your own signature. People would recognize and remember you by your moves or style, everbody had at least one thing that they kind of made up.
Who has inspired you the most?
It's hard to say... If you mean in BBoyin': Eddie Ed (for the uprock), Lenny Len (for the footwork and tracks), Greggo (his original sick moves), Spy (his character, delivery), Magnetic and Kid Galaxy ( the unbelievable power), Shakie (the dont give a f**k character), ...the inspiration doesn't stop. Most of the biggest inspirations are from my people who have stayed true to me and got my back to the end. Peace and Respect to the Young City Boys.
What's up with Rock Steady now?
To be honest I really dont know. I rep RSC to the death but ever since me and Legs had a fallout, alot of the people in RSC have changed up on me. RSC is a business. Understand that RSC ended in the eighties. In the early nineties RSC Seven Gems was bringin back that true feeling but when you look at the reason why Seven Gems ended, you can see clearly that we were no longer young and innocent. The real spirit of RSC, that family young innocent, pre-money era, is over. Money and fame have taken over. I have the utmost respect for the legacy and will continue to carry the flag forever, but I understand the truth. Ya see, back in the days a bunch of kids from the Bronx and Manhattan built the name into what it is today, it seems like today, the name makes people who they are. Like once they get in, all of a sudden they are official... see... I came from the days when you battled to get in, stricktly breakin. Peace to the nasty kids that are RSC but there are pople that don't even break in RSC now. The newer kids try to be tight but they don't see the truth, and alot of them don't want to stir the water in fear that they might get the boot. I stood up for what I believe in and knew that we all were all important, I've always looked at the best interest of my crew, but I refuse to be under anybody... I paid my dues like the next man and when you stand up there can be repercusions. Nobody else stood up... but then again who could?
What's the differense between breaking today and when you started, is it better or worse?
The scene is to big to generalize, it's better in some places and worse in other places. It's very different because there is so many things involved: money, commercialism, etc. It was about street rep back in the days, we had fun and didn't do it all day and night. When the moment presented itself, we rocked... anywhere. Nowadays, everybody wants to be on TV, and they don't give a f**k in what image. If there's a jam, kids be like sayin' "how much is it for the contest". If theres no prize, they wont go. All styles were evolving so we just tried to stay up with them. We didn't do too much hatin' on other styles 'cause they were all fat. People are throwin' jams and inviting star bboys and if there weren't any star bboys on the list, people won't go. Fraudulent heads are doin' events and makin' doe, and half of them don't even break or know anything about Hip Hop Culture.
What do you think about todays big jams and music videos with breaking in it?
Some big jams are good, some corny as f**k. When big sponsors come in the picture sometimes they want to put their corny ideas or unsigned wack rappers on the bill. These heads are lookin' for that dollar first. Ask 'em to do it for free and see what they say. One top event organizer, who does a so called Hip Hop Anniversary, was having trouble raising money and he said “this is gonna be the last one”. C'mon, bee, what the f**k is that about, an anniversary is a yearly celebration regardless. Ya see, people aren't really paying homage to Hip Hop Culture, they depend on the commodity (Hip Hop) paying them. Don't get me wrong, I need to make my loot also, but I'd rather sweep the street to make money than rip my culture. I respect people who straight say. I'm in it for the money, at least they are being honest, it's business nahmeen. But don't put up that front like you love Hip Hop 'cause you full a nuts to me. I think it's cool as long as you don't make breaking look like just one thing. Usually it's a spin or flip, if you notice they never show a bboy or bgirl making a connection with a song and expressing their character. I don't think bboys that do videos have that much control unless they are the main choreographer, and that's rare. I don't blame the young kids though, some kids want to be entertainers, i'm not hatin' on them, half of them don't know better. It bothers me when kids I came up with, so called pioneers dress up with tiger pants and leopard shirts with bootie socks around their sneakers and break in front of a forest backdrop, or paint their faces like a clown, I mean, I know its about money sometimes but d**n, people see that nuts and don't respect breaking as a legitimate dance. Or it's also wack when they break in a video that don't even have a break in the music. I mean I used to sit on panels with these same pioneers who spoke against that 17 years ago.
Tell us about the crews you've been a member of and what a crew means to you?
I started the Young City Boys crew in '78. I was Pres. Doze was the Vice Pres. It was Andy (Baby Love’s brother), Dante, DenoRock (RIP), Stevie Dee, Ty Fly, Lil Ty Fly, Fly Ty, Nel Ski, Puerto Rican Chiquiting, White Chic, Demon, E from 105, Hec from 106, fat sammy. These people are still to this day my fam, some of them are still around the block. Then it was RSC... on the side I had the street click MNM. We used to call it Mad Mugsy Nation. Makin Money, Lil Al Capone, Chino Spider, Lil Lucan, Deno Rock, Fred Dobbs, Biejo, Lil Rocky, among many other bug out kids. I also had SKI Crew. Swift Kids Incorporated, I'm thinkin' about startin' that up again with the young cats today.
How do you define breaking?
Breaking is a term used to describe what a B.Boy does. I laugh when people use the term Breakdancing, it shows me where they are comin from. Some people use the term like that even while they know the real term just so they can sell tickets to people who have to be sthingy fed commercial terms in order to attend. Physically, Breaking would be dancing to the break of a song. To me the dance consists of a top dance style, circular footwork patterns, flips and swipes, spins on all parts of the body and freezes. There are many many more ingredients of course, but I think these are the essentials. I think the foundation is the attitude of being a bboy/bgirl. Hearing sounds and rhythms, absorbing them, dancing to them, singing and acting out some of the lyrics, believing you are the best dancer for that song or circle and losing yourself in a song/connecting to the music, primarily the drum. If you are doing those, to me ,that's 90 percent of bein a bboy. If you can't apply those elements to your moves, I don't think people will feel you. It's very deep, since the beginning of time, dance has played a part in expressing one thing or another. If you ever get lost in a song it can make you feel like you're not even thinking, that's the ultimate satisfaction. You may not even realize it till it's all over. Breaking is a very important dance that needs to be respected like all dances that exist today, it has vocabulary and unlimited possibilities. We need to represent the dance as best we can.
How has your style evolved through the years?
I've just tried to adapt to what's goin' on and let the music guide me. To me, the music is the key for my best inspiration, there is such a vast amount of music from so many different places. You can always hear something that you haven't heard before. Old music works well for me, it reminds me when I first started. It helps me recapture images of that time, and keeps me in touch with the traditional bboy stock. I try to keep a lil' bit of Footwork and seventies eighties in my breakin. I tapped into alot of old moves and reinvented them, brought them up to the time and I also listen to my body. If i can't see how a move looks I depend on the flow. If it feels good, most of the time it will look good, some moves feel abstract and different but if you can't execute a good delivery, it may not look to hot.
Tell us about the classic battle between RSC and NYCB in Beat Street. Were there any cool moves or combinations that didn't make it to the movies?
I know there were dope moves on both sides but I can't remember that much. One thing that I can tell you is that we were straight blazin' 'em with the routines. They told us not to do them because it kinda made the battle look one sided.
Besides breaking what is your passion in life?
I just want to be happy with myself and do the right thing for my family, that's all I can ask for.
What are your plans now?
I want to challenge myself with something different, something totally contrast. I'm very happy with my career as a bboy. I can move on now with dignity, money has never interupted my goals as a dancer. I mean, my name isn't big commercially, I could've got an agent and made mad loot but... I've tried to stay underground and I think I did a good job. Now that I'm done, now I want to start makin' that REAL loot. I'm goin' for the cream now, it's about my kids and their future etc.
What do you think is lacking in breaking today?
Dancing.
Will you do any shows or go to any jams this year?
My last show and appearance is New Zealand on September 14. I have interviews and job opportunities lined up in NYC. I'm goin' for that 9 to 5 action so I doubt I'm goin anywhere. They want to give me a Lifetime Achievement Award at The Mighty 4 in San Francisco on November 17th.
This site is dedicated to Throw Down, you had met them in 1994 in a big jam in Germany, what's your opinion of Throw Down?
I have the utmost respect for Throw Down, they’ve treated me with respect from the jump and were genuine people. I remember standing in this gigantic building, believe it was Hannover, Throw Down was the first to start breaking. There wasn't even a circle, they just started rippin nuts. Mad heads was intimidated, I liked the fact that they didn't care who was there, they was just gettin' down. Yerkis top style had old characteristics. The styles were different which made them dope because they were versatile. The two main people who reinspired me from Europe in those years were Maurizio (Italy) and none other than the one and only Mad Nico. Nuff said, them niggas is assasins.
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Ken Swift - Rock Steady Crew (N.Y.C.)
1)Tell us something about your self.Where you are from? What got you into breaking? When did you start? How did you start?
My name is Ken Swift, I live in New York City, Ive been breaking for about 24 years. I 1978-79 started writin graff, then DJ'in and MC'in and then I started breaking. I started when I saw my friend do a move in his house. Soon after that I started "The Young City Boys" in uptown Manhattan on (97th st. & Amsterdam Ave. 1979.
2) Who influenced you? Did you have any idols?
People like Shakie, Greggo, Lenny Len, Eddie Ed, Frosty Freeze, Ron Daris, Doze, Deno Rock, Kid Terrific, Magnetic and many more.
3.) was it hard back in the late 70`s to get breaking stuff (gear, instructional movies)?
There was no Breaking stuff, the dance had just begun and it was just starting to grow, there was no reference other than watching and learning on your own. Its wild because the gear we wore back then wasn't made for Hip Hop like it is today, …we made the stuff that was out there look funky by the way we detailed it when we dressed up.
4.) How would you define breaking?What makes you a Bboy?Has this definition changed through the last four decades?
The original Breaking is dancing to different types of break sections of various music that have incredible beats. After dancing on top to the beat, Its using circular leg patterns & shuffles, swipes(Footwork), ..also using flips and aerial movements (High Swipes, backflips, front flips) various quickly stopped movements in different positions(Freezes) and spins on all parts of the body possible. What makes you a B.Boy is your rhythmic ability combined with the types of moves I mentioned plus your originality and personality, …it's a combination of all of those aspects. It has'nt changed, ..but some people have tried to change it.
5.) Has the way you look at Bboying changed as you grew up? What did it mean to you when you were a kid and what does it mean to you now?
It has changed a lot but at the same time its still the same feeling internally, ..Ive always loved music and music is the key to breaking, ..as long as there is music the feeling with always be a part of me. In 2003 it means a little more because I see how it has been such an important part of my life overall, ….it has helped me enjoy who I am and experience so many different things along the way.
6.) How did you star with Rock Steady Crew? Did you have to battle any of the members to get accepted? If you did - who did you battle?
In the 2nd generation of RSC's first year, I met Frosty Freeze and through Frosty is how I ended up battling Legs, ..I battled because that's what me and my crew "The Young City Boys" did, ….i didn't battle to get in, I just battled because we were in a place where there was music and it went down like that. After that Crazy Legs asked me to be a part of RSC. But lets be clear, I didn't battle to be accepted.
7.) You have a female member in your crew - Jules. What do you think about female breakers?
Jules is mad dope but she just got in RSC a couple of years ago, ..RSC has had B.girls for over twenty years, there have been many dope bgirls in RSC, …..…but, …to answer yr question, …Like I said Jules is pretty tight, ..she gets better every time I see her, …female breakers are gonna be stepping up in the years to come.
8.) What`s the difference between Old school and New school? Do people approach breaking differently nowdays? Has the style changed?
I really don't like to put labels on the times in history but to answer your question, Back then it was new and fresh and your character played a huge part of it, …..there was no style or move to be jealous about or disrespect, and there wasn't that much deep history to study, there were no videos or films and back then and if you violated someone or was at the wrong place at the wrong time and you danced well in some one else's neighborhood, you might get jumped. Some people approach it the same and some differently, it depends on the history that you got when you started dancing, …if you learned about how it was back in the days then you had an appreciation for what its been through, …if you just learned it through looking at it you might just focus more on it as athleticism. The styles come and go, …some change and then come back, ….but they keep on getting better in my opinion.
9.) How did you get accepted as a member of the Zulu Kings?
We RSC did a performance at The Ritz with The Soulsonic Force and then Bambattaa put us in as chapter 3 of the Zulu Nation, we were then Zulu Kings. Peace to Lil Man, Mr. Freeze, Take One, Frosty Freeze, Chino, Lenny Len, Ty Fly, Kippy Dee (RIP) & Doze.
10.) How do you look at Hip Hop culture in general? Have you ever written song,done a grafiti,…
That's about all we did when we were younger, …we wrote graff like every night and danced whenever the opportunity presented itself. In the early eighties we (The YCBoys), ..used to bring our equipment out to the streets and we used to DJ and rhyme and all that, …..Ive always kicked rhymes here and there, ….Ive MC'd on a few tracks here and there, I mean that's just what we do, ….the people I've ran with have always done it all, you name it we probably did it.
11.) Which type of music do you listen to when you break and wich when you are at home,relaxing? Name some of your favorite artists!
When Im dancing, …theres so much music, …Seventies Soul, …a lil Disco, …some rock breaks, ..some Jazz breaks, ….anything that got a fat beat to it, …I like to dance to different tempos and flip my text with different instruments. When I'm at home I like, La India, Chaka Kahn, El Gran Combo, Angela Bofill, Steely Dan, some SalSoul Orchestra, Atlantic Starr, The Brothers Johnson, Level 42, Kraftwerk, Jenny Burton, Freeze, El Debarge, Tom Tom Club, Art Of Noise, some Mobb Deep, ..a lil Nas, …anything QB, …DITC, …. …...anything Eighties,….. …music is the best for me, theres too much to mention, ….…it will always be part of my life.
12.) Have you ever thought of stopping breaking?Maybe get involved in something else?
Ive thought of stopping many times but have learned that it will always be in my life somehow, …absorbing music is more mental than physical, ..so, ..conceptually I will break till I leave this planet.
13.) Power moves, footwork, freezes, popin, lockin,…. Which style do you prefer best?
I prefer Footwork & Freezes, ..but I would never enjoy the whole dance without all of the styles available to me to use.
14.) What do you think about battles?Is rivalry good?
Battles have, and will keep this dance alive for many years to come , …it keeps the progression healthy. If it was'nt for Battling, ..this dance would have disappeared.
15.) How long do you plan to breakdance? Where do you see your life going when you finish?
Im just taking things one day at a time, …I would love to dance forever so at this point Im not doing too bad, I'll be 37 in August so, ..I still enjoy it as much and some times more than when I was younger.
16.) Achievements, movies , awards, tricks you are the most proud at!
Im proud to continue in the legacy of the dancers who came before me. Ive had older dancers give me respect for dancing the original style and to me that is the greatest form of recognition. Ive always tried to stay true to the art form and when they give me props it feels super incredible.
17.) What do you think about European breaking scene? Any intentions of coming to Europe soon?
I like and respect the whole Hip Hop scene in Europe, I have many friends out there and always look forward to opportunities to visit their cities. Keep your ears open, …ya never know, ….Maybe Sweden in March 2003?!!?/!!!
18.) Your favorite trick or combination!
Dragon Tail Leg Kick, Miracle Whip
19.) Your message to the little kids who are trying to break.
Study the history, ..dance to the beat, ..try to be unique and original while still using fundamentals. Respect yr mind and body, …believe in yourself, ……get a steady education and something to fall back on in your future.
20.) Say whatever is on your mind!
I have to always thank God for my life, …..and of course to my mother Ilsa Gabbert, …Viva Puerto Rico. Peace, Ken Swift Real Rock Steady Crew Pioneers 2003.
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