BREAKING AND THE NEW YORK CITY BREAKERS

New York: Freundlich Books, 1984. First edition. Very good plus.. Rare, early breakdancing introduction and illustrated instruction guide. Step-by-step guide to break dancing by the manager of the New York City Breakers, former member of The Tubes, and onetime bandmate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. An experimental musician, installation artist, choreographer, and party organizer for the emerging hip-hop scene, Holman is commonly credited with being the first to use the term in print, in 1982; in 1984, the year of BREAKING's publication, he created the first hip-hop television program, GRAFFITI ROCK (advertised on the front cover), whose influence outlasted its one-episode run. Holman offers a thorough historical overview of break dancing's roots, spotlights on influential early figures, and an autobiographical introduction to "the freshest American dance form to emerge in decades" by way of Holman's own work, first as part-time agent for the Rock Steady Crew and later with the New York City Breakers. Includes detailed, technical guides to individual moves, stretching exercises, and how to dress for the B-Boy/B-girl look. Appearing the same year as Steve Hagar's HIP HOP, David Toop's, RAP ATTACK, Curtis Marlow's BREAK DANCING, and Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant's SUBWAY ART, one of the founding documents of hip-hop — and in our experience, far rarer than any of these. 11'' x 8''. Original stapled color pictorial wrappers. Black and white illustrations throughout. 176 pages. Light rubbing and edgewear to wrappers with some faint creasing; pages toned. Overall clean and sound.