Today after reading a post on facebook talking about the Octopus Breakbeats , the DJ tool that later became the Ultimate Breakbeats. I thought Id write this. The significant impact of these records alone did not only change the face and wave of Djing throughout the 80’s they still to this day play as much as an important role as they did when they first came out.
Here in the UK the Mix tape culture of New York played a vital role as did DJ’s such as Cosmic Jam who had first hand experience of what was going on in NYC when Hip Hop was being conceptualized. The DJ played the most important role in this movement. As you saw in the Diamond D post previous, the art of cutting up breakbeats was born in the Bronx. Dj’s like and ill pick one, BAMBAATA would dig through a wide range of Genre’s of music to select grooves and what we know as breakbeats. These records would be played at the Jams and certain tracks would shine, later becoming the holy grails of breakbeats.
BreakBeat Lenny a record dealer who would go to the jams, caught onto this movement leading onto the development of the Octopus breakbeats. With his team of Diggers and Editors. Break Beat Lou and TR Love lets not forget, they would search out records for these compilations. Lou also known as Louis Flores was the man behind the edits on the records. Lenny the financier.
In the 90s I was filming on VHS the things me and my crew would get up too. I should rephrase it, it was Spara’s Crew. We followed him. This lead me to pursuing my passion for film and things creative. Now long before there was a Facebook, Myspace or even dial up internet and even Serato I would be shooting film. Ive been consistently doing this for over 20 years. One of the very few people to do so, and probably the one person you never hear of. I never get interviews nore press, I don’t get sponsorship or funding I do it my self.
As I discussed with my brother in arms Dexter Thibou of the Beatminerz only last week. I created my own lane. Fuck You if you do not give me a chance or believe in my ability or vision. I’m still here. I was into the Zulu Nation ideology, especially in the late 70s and early 80s I liked that. I loved Public Enemy and BDP’s inspiring music. I wanted to become empowered. When the world is against you or you feel like so, you got to stand up and fight for your beliefs. This is my DNA and time has proved that and I still carry the same values.
Shame on all those that read this and the ones that turned there backs on me on the past, if you got a problem see me.
Anyhow what matters is that the real artists, my piers I looked up too believed in me. I want to thank all those that welcomed me into their homes and allowed me to film them.
Above is an extract from one of my early films shot here in the UK and USA. The topic the Ultimate Breakbeats. The impact and influence they had here on us and the impact they had on DJ’s in Mecca New York.
I will say here in the UK, in those days information to us was very limited. This was shot well before Break Beat Lou and my self befriended each other. He has since cleared up some of the stories behind the records. I do have that film too.
Break Beat Lou will be in the UK over August 2015. If you are interested in booking him – Feel free to contact me.
Enjoy a rare piece of film by my self. I would ask in respect do not go ripping this footage. Big thankyou to Jazzy Jay, Grandmaster Caz, Charlie Chase, Grand Wizard Theodore, Afrika Bambaata, DJ Pogo, Billy Biznizz, Cutmaster Swift & Casz
