Foundation: B-boys, B-girls and Hip-Hop Culture in New York [Paperback]

Joseph G. Schloss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 5, 2009 | ISBN-10: 019533406X | ISBN-13: 978-0195334067

B-boying is a form of Afro-diasporic competitive dance that developed in the Bronx, NY in the early 1970s. Widely - though incorrectly - known as "breakdancing," it is often dismissed as a form of urban acrobatics set to music. In reality, however, b-boying is a deeply traditional and profoundly expressive art form that has been passed down from teacher to student for almost four decades. Foundation: B-boys, B-girls and Hip-Hop Culture in New York offers the first serious study of b-boying as both unique dance form and a manifestation of the most fundamental principles of hip-hop culture. Drawing on anthropological and historical research, interviews and personal experience as a student of the dance, Joseph Schloss presents a nuanced picture of b-boying and its social context. From the dance's distinctive musical repertoire and traditional educational approaches to its complex stylistic principles and secret battle strategies, Foundation illuminates a previously unexamined thread in the complex tapestry that is contemporary hip-hop.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

B-boying is a form of Afro-diasporic competitive dance that developed in the Bronx, NY in the early 1970s. Widely--though incorrectly--known as "breakdancing," it is often dismissed as urban acrobatics set to music. In reality, b-boying is a traditional and profoundly expressive art form. Some b-boys display their skill at "popping"--rapid movements followed by short freezes. In Foundation, Joseph G. Schloss walks you through the history of b-boying and his personal relationship to the music and the artists who bring hip hop to life.

Meet the B-boys and B-girls of New York's Hip Hop Scene

B-boy and Popper, Geomatrix relaxing in the South Bronx

Tiny Love popping in Union Square, NY with boomboxes from his collection

Dancer and teacher, SeoulSonyk, a.k.a. MiRi Park

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--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"The best work ever produced on b-boying. Schloss maps the dance's nuances brilliantly; but it is when he turns his attention to the history and theory of the form that "Foundation" is at its best. Schloss's insights are wide-ranging and consistently illuminating. A major contribution."--Boston Globe

"I highly recommend this book for anyone who claims to be a hip hop historian or hip hop head. Schloss asks some very important questions and applies theories that can be used to discuss the other elements of hip hop culture. Schloss interviews some great b-boys."--Liberator Magazine

"Joe Schloss doesn't just talk the talk, he rocks the rock. In the rapidly expanding field of hip-hop studies, he is without peer--a careful observer, a committed floor-rocker, a brilliant historian, a scholar's scholar, and a true b-boy. Foundation is his first masterpiece. "--Jeff Chang, author Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of The Hip-Hop Generation

"Joseph Schloss documents the path of the B-boy with the precision of a swordsman and the love of shaman. It took a great deal of courage and patience to make a book on Hip-Hop as inspirational as it is accurate. After reading it I made Foundation required reading for our organization."--Adisa Banjoko, CEO, Hip-Hop Chess Federation

"There is no richer example of tradition in Hip-Hop culture, than the legacy of B-Boys and B-Girls. Foundation gives voice to these often forgotten actors in hip-hop history, giving us all a clue about the genius that literally sits at the Foundation of Hip-Hop. Joe Schloss cannot be dismissed as some disconnected Ivory-Tower critic and with Foundation he simply ups the ante on hip- hop scholarship in a major way."--Mark Anthony Neal, Professor of Black Popular Culture at Duke University

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (March 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019533406X
• ISBN-13: 978-0195334067
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #367,086 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Dance > Popular

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book!, June 19, 2009

By 

Sam White "Sam" (Springfield MO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Foundation: B-boys, B-girls and Hip-Hop Culture in New York (Paperback)

Schloss has written another great book about hip-hop culture. This time, he tackles b-boying by participating in and interviewing key members of New York's b-boy scene. The real strength of the book are the many interviews he quotes from and summarizes. This is a must-read for anyone interested in b-boying.

Because he is countering a number of academic books that adopts a more asbtract or philosophical tone, Schloss really emphasizes the importance of listening to the voices of the builders of b-boying and its participants. The downside of this approach is that he sometimes does not really analyze their comments, leaving the reader with what seems like overly-heroic images of the b-boys he quotes. Nonetheless, I would recommend this book to anyone. It is in my top 10 books about hip-hop.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for the true bboys/bgirls, March 10, 2010

By 

dmiguelu (Vancouver,BC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Foundation: B-boys, B-girls and Hip-Hop Culture in New York (Paperback)

This book really goes into great detail about bboying and everything bboying related. A must have for bboys/bgirls who are serious about this thing of ours aka hip hop culture. The author really done his "homework" on the bboying culture and doesn't sugar coat anything. Thank you Joseph Schloss for producing this well documented subject in the form of a well written piece. From a Bboy.