.
About the Book:
In 1985, B-Boys were all the rage but where were the girls? Fast-forward twenty years for the answer: We B*Girlz, a lively look at the hot and happenin’‚ world of B-Girlz of the twenty-first century as documented by photographer Martha Cooper and writer Nika Kramer. Breaking is back with a new twist as today’s fly girls can battle the best of them.
.
We B*Girlz, the first handbook for accomplished or aspiring B-Girlz and the boys who admire them, showcases the dynamic style and nonstop energy of B-Girlz in action, in practice, and on stage. Providing inspiring insight into a previously little-known subculture that has swept the world, We B*Girlz includes chapters on Getting Down, Herstory, Lady Legendz, We B*Girlz, Crewz, Floor Warz, We B*Stylin’, Ride the Beat (other forms of urban dance), Work It! (B-Girl careers), and We B-Family, and a list of websites on breaking, Hip Hop, gear, events, competitions, and classes.
.
Featuring pioneering B-Girlz like Rokafella from the Bronx, who now dances professionally, and Asia-One from L.A., who organized and promoted the B-Boy Summit for ten years, We B*Girlz also showcases the gutsy girls who dare to dance with all-boy crews such as Valentine—whose Paris crew, Fantastik Armada, came in second in the 2004 Battle of the Year, the largest international competition in Germany. Presenting girls of all ages and walks of life, We B*Girlz spotlights twelve-year-old Wonder Woman from France, a serious contender at last year’s IBE; Krazee Grandma, a beloved sixty-five-year-old B-Girl from Sweden who still spins on her head and travels around Europe to dance competitions; Karima and Bubbles, the first B-Girls from France and the UK, respectively; B-Girl Mom Honey Rockwell, whose three-year-old daughter is known as “The Annialator”; and B-Girl & Boy couple Chyna and Sake who organize an annual couple’s battle, Lover’s Rock, in San Diego.
.
Cooper and Kramer first began documenting this new breed of B-Girlz in a breakdance competition in Germany in 2004. Following the dancers to the biggest battles—including Mighty4 in San Francisco, the Spinfactor Finals in Rhode Island, Breaklanta in Atlanta, IBE in the Netherlands, and the International Battle of the Year in Germany—they photographed and interviewed B-Girlz representing everywhere from South Africa to New Zealand, from New York to California, and from Japan to Germany. Culminating in the first annual We B*Girlz competition at veteran B-Boy Ken Swift’s studio in Brooklyn, Cooper and Kramer’s work will introduce a new generation to the art of B-Girling. The book includes a foreword by Ana “Rokafella” Garcia.
.
About the Authors:
Martha Cooper is a documentary photographer who has specialized in urban vernacular art and architecture for more than twenty-five years. Cooper worked as a staff photographer for the New York Post from 1977 to 1980, when she left to follow the emerging hip hop scene. In 1984, in collaboration with Henry Chalfant, she published Subway Art (Thames & Hudson), the classic book showcasing the best painted trains of the era that has been dubbed “The Bible” by graffiti writers. Cooper’s other books of photographs include Hip Hop Files: Photographs 1979–1984 (From Here To Fame, 2004) and R.I.P.: Memorial Wall Art (Thames & Hudson, 1994) with text by folklorist Joseph Sciorra. The Director of Photography at City Lore, the New York Center for Urban Folk Culture, she lives in Manhattan.
.
Nika Kramer, writer, translator, and businesswoman, grew up in Germany in a small farming community called Five Houses, named for the number of houses in the village. After studying business and design in Oldenburg she traveled throughout Central America, returning to Germany to open and operate a car wash where she occasionally sang and danced for her customers. Kramer is the German translator of Hip Hop Files: Photographs 1979–1984 (From Here to Fame, 2004). Kramer’s fluent command of English, Spanish, and German is invaluable as she lives and works in Berlin and New York.
.
New York Launch Event:
We B*Girlz: A 25th Anniversary Breakin’ Event at Lincoln Center Out of Doors
Thursday, August 10, 2006, Josie Robertson Plaza, Lincoln Center, New York City
.
Twenty-five years ago, the first breakin’ battle for a large public audience was held at Lincoln Center Out of Doors. Henry Chalfant organized a battle between two New York break dancing groups to introduce breaking to the public. the original breakin’ event, featuring all male dancers, held on August 15, 1981, was photographed by legendary hip-hop documentarian Martha Cooper who is now coordinating We B*Girlz: A 25th Anniversary Breakin’ Event at Lincoln Center Out of Doors. To honor the rise of the b-girlz, as well as pay homage to the b-boyz who paved the way, Lincoln Center Out of Doors will present We B*Girlz: A 25th Anniversary Breakin’ Event on Thursday, August 10th on the Josie Robertson Plaza at 6:00 p.m.
.
The We B*Girlz Lincoln Center Out of Doors event will feature an all-star international line-up of female performers, participants and judges. Emceed by Toni Blackman, New York, and featuring music spun by DJ Sparkles, Philadelphia. It will feature a 3-on-3 battle between four crews: Fox Force Five, New York City; Natural Born Killahz, New Jersey; Style Comes First, Philadelphia; and Flowzaic, London. There will also be performances by popper/locker Rowdy of Flowzaic as well as a group show by members of Keep Risin’ to the Tops, a dance troupe based in Spanish Harlem. The judges include Rokafella, New York; Asia One, Los Angeles; and Aruna, Rotterdam. The backdrop will be painted by graffiti legend Lady Pink along with Toofly and Muck.
.
Prior to announcing the winner of the battle, Henry Chalfant will pay tribute to the original b-boyz from the 1981 event. When the winner is announced, Toni Blackman will freestyle with two members of her Cipher Workshop, in a grand finale, with everyone on stage taking part in a jam that recognizes the achievements of both b-boyz and b-girlz, as well as old school and new school styles.
.
Miss Rosen’s Contribution:
Editorial Consultation, Text Editing, Production Management, Publicity, Advertising, and Event Planning.
.
Honors:
New York Public Library: Books for the Teen Age 2006
YASLA’s Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers 2007
.
Coordinated international publicity campaign including coverage in
ELLE, ELLE Canada, New York Amsterdam News, New York & Company/WNYC Radio, New York Magazine,
New York Post, New York Times/Arts & Leisure, New York Times Dance Review, Nylon, Publishers Weekly, San Antonio Current,
Seattle Weekly, Streetwear Today, Time Out New York, Today in New York/NBC TV,
Urb, Vibe, Vibe Vixen, Village Voice, WAD, and Wax Poetics, among others.
.
HIP HOP / DANCE / GIRLZ RULE
PB with wide flaps, 6.25 x 8.25 inches, 156 pages, over 500 four-color photos & illustrations
ISBN: 1-57687-269-6, $24.95
.
Photographs ©Martha Cooper
Cover courtesy of powerHouse Books