the video on Youtube lately, but it's become a nice little meeting place for the B-Boys and B-Girls in the film to catch up, I'm honored to help those guys to be able to make those connections.
Secondly, and even more exciting, I just got a little thank you for dropping this on youtube and an update from Ego-trip's partner that this show is going to be aired in it's entirety, and a question answer session is TBA at the Maysles Cinema in Harlem March 28th, 7:30 PM
Apparently the TV station lost the footage but they have obtained the written consent of the producer to show the original footage from the original tapes. I tried to get permission myself but obviously I don't have Ego Trip's kind of resources, nor do I need to worry about that any more since I have no doubt he will do this justice.
Quote Maysles Documentary Center
Under the Influence of ego trip Pt. 3
Presented with Andreas Vingaard
ego trip, the New York-based creative collective behind the top-rated VH1 reality programs The (White) Rapper Show and Miss Rap Supreme, as well as the critically-acclaimed “Book of Rap Lists” and “Big Book of Racism!” proudly presents the follow up to its celebrated 2011 Classic Hip Hop film series, Under the Influence of ego trip Pt. 2.
The Big Breakdance Contest
Joanne Wolper and Diane Dates, 21 minutes, 1983
Originally aired on New York’s WABC in 1983, The Big Breakdance Contest documents a Tri-State wide b-boying competition at world-renowned NYC nightclub The Roxy. The prize: $2500, an appearance on music video program New York Hot Tracks and a role in the film Beat Street. Hosted by actress Leslie Uggams and WKTU radio legend Carlos DeJesus, produced by Larry Rickel and featuring an oddball crew of celebrity judges (e.g. footballer Hershel Walker, soap opera stars Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams and New York Knick legend Earl “The Pearl” Monroe amongst them), it’s a highly entertaining time capsule of early ’80s pop culture. But beyond the headspins, windmills and electric boogie maneuvers (provided by dance crews like the Magnificent Force, Uptown Express, the Fantastic Duo, the Flash Dancers, Larry Watson and Jason Twigg, the Heartbreakers, and the Dynamic Breakers), it’s a reverential celebration of hip-hop at one of its early high points of global influence. A brief video package featuring Afrika Bambaataa that precedes the compeititon touts hip-hop as, “The first youth culture since the ’60s [to] put a premium on individual imagination.” And it don’t stop…
When I spent a few days cleaning up up this old TV contest, I hoped for Hip Hop's prosperity it would get the exposure it deserves. I couldn't be more pleased that Ego Trip and Andrea, his cohort, are the right men to do just that. I am honored that they have reserved me two tickets for the show and I feel obligated to find a way to make my way out there. Quite honestly, I don't know if I can make it but regardless, I'm thrilled this historic footage will finally see the proper light of day.
