Translator: Riaki Poništ Reviewer: Ellen Maloney
My name is Marcelino "Frost Flow" DaCosta.
The message I have for you today
could quite possibly impact the next seven generations.
I call it a "Full Step Saga."
It's probably better if I kind of show you what I'm talking about.
Are you guys alright with that?
(Cheers) (Applause)
Good energy, I like that,
(Music)
(Applause)
In case you couldn't tell, I'm a b-boy.
The term "b-boy" stands for "boogie boy," "break-boy,"
"break-girl" depending on your gender.
Someone who dances to the breaks of the music -
instrumental break.
Hits the breaking point in the party.
People know us as "breakdancers."
I've been doing this dance for about 17 years of my life.
I've been really privileged to share this dance all across Canada,
from the Canadian Arctic
to young offenders centers, schools, everywhere.
Fortunately, I've been able to go across the world with it.
The thing is that b-boying, b-girling, breakin' - it's more than just a dance.
It's a philosophy.
It's a way of life.
The act of passing down knowledge is instrumental and fundamental
to every b-boy and b-girl.
It's fundamental for everybody, right?
You've got to pass on knowledge.
I really believe that everyone has something to learn
from the b-boy process, this "breakin'" mentality.
I could summarize it in three words.
I need your help with this.
The first one is "opening."
Audience: Opening.
Marcelino DaCosta: Second one is "building."
Audience: Building.
MD: Third one is "sharing."
Audience: Sharing.
MD: Good.
Nice voices.
It's a loop.
A good example was started
with youth living in the South Bronx, New York, in early 70s,
youth developing resilient philosophy such as "Each one teach one,"
or "Creating something from nothing,"
true foundations of hip-hop culture,
a culture which has touched countless lives over the last 40 years.
Hip-hop, specifically b-boying, reached international exposure in the 80s
through crews like Rock Steady,
but survived several evolutions in the dance
solely because of how it was passed on from mentor to student, student to mentor.
Man, I got to tell you, like ...
There's nothing like experiencing this dance,
and I've seen the highest summits.
I've been to places in Canada no one has seen.
It's a very unique experience.
It's constantly reinvigorating a foundational aesthetic and language,
and longevity in this form of expression
is founded on shared stories that are living organically
through people, individuals, crews, battles, experiences,
and it's strengthened by people discovering their identity,
personal exploration representing who you are, what's your culture.
Leaving a legacy is extremely important.
So, I like to take the moment to acknowledge
a gentleman by the name of Frosty Freeze -
Frosty Freeze, one of the original members of the Rock Steady Crew.
Make some noise for Frosty Freeze, rest in peace.
(Cheers) (Applause)
Rock Steady Crew was really famous for bringing breakin' to the world,
but what was special about Frosty Freeze
is that he was one of those instrumental figures
that it was like a time capsule;
he encapsulated the original essence
of breakin' in terms of its character and its aesthetic.
People still are influenced by what he contributed to the dance,
generations later.
I'll tell you a little story about how I met Frosty Freeze.
It was in 2001.
Imagine me, 19-year old Canadian b-boy
first time breakin' in the States in a competition -
New York State.
I'm really eager and excited, you know I mean?
All of the sudden, Frosty Freeze as a judge,
he straight up calls me out for having the same name as him:
"Yo Frost,"
"Frost?"
"Frost, you'd better represent, brother."
What I realize about Frosty Freeze and his contribution
is that this idea of opening up and passing the knowledge
is really important.
He ended up encouraging me and he gave me blessing for my name.
B-boying is about opening up.
It's about respecting tradition.
It's about understanding the longevity of things that have happened in the past.
Legacy is honored.
Without further ado, I want to present Frosty Freeze to you: you guys ready?
Aight, make some noise please.
(Applause)
(Music)
Woo!
Make some noise please, come on, put your hands together.
(Applause)
There's a legend right there.
Let me teach you.
(Laugher)
(Rhythmic clapping)
(Applause) (Cheers)
So, as you can see, what I was doing resembled what he was doing,
but slightly different, right?
The thing is, with breakin' and hip hop it's about building up and breaking down,
but it's more about opening your mind, creating what's next.
Physical and philosophical traditions, they're kept alive.
A foundation is maintained,
but you're encouraged, strongly encouraged to be creative,
to be innovative.
You've got to have style.
You've got to be fresh.
You have to contribute something.
This dance is hard.
It's really hard.
In the process, you're cultivating resilience.
The thing is, anyone who is experimenting craves inspiration, right?
We're inspired by anything from Bruce Lee to Bugs Bunny.
James Brown to Fred Astaire.
All kinds of things.
You guys want to see my style?
(Cheers) (Applause)
Are you sure?
(Cheers)
There's 3,000 people here.
(Cheers)
Aight, thank you.
(Music)
(Applause)
Hip-hop.
Breakin'.
Once you find your own style in anything - you find your passion in something,
you find your style, you find your voice,
you have to share it.
Just don't keep it locked in.
Share it for the purpose that other people are going to open it up,
they're going to build on it,
and they will share it for the next generations to come.
That's a good thing.
(Cheers) (Applause)
In hip-hop, we do this in circles.
Fairly indigenous tradition.
In ciphers were exchanging moves, we're exchanging philosophies,
or pushing each other in battles,
were expressing our passion for life, music, dance, opinions.
We're reinforcing the importance of sharing.
Sharing is important.
We're developing conversation.
In a world like this, crazy world like this with violence,
we're equalizing opinions.
Two of the best dancers in the country right here in your hometown,
so make some noise for b-girl Jackie JK 47 and b-boy Mark Siller, what?
(Cheers) (Applause)
Got to speak louder than that, yo!
(Applause)
You guys good?
Ready to do this?
Aight.
Come on maestro.
(Music)
(Applause)
(Applause) (Cheers)
So, what's the point?
I believe everyone has something to learn from this.
Breakin' creative process: First, you're opening your mind,
you're absorbing information and knowledge,
you're internalizing it.
Second, you're building on it.
You're flipping it, remixing it, sampling it,
putting your own signature on it.
Third, you share it.
You share for generations to come;
you're encouraging other people as well.
I always say that a little encouragement goes a very long way.
(Applause)
This is a process that encourages progress,
develops resiliency, and most importantly,
it situates you and your story in your culture.
It's really important.
It's given I myself, Mark, Jackie, and countless others around the world,
the means to be creative and innovative while still respecting tradition.
My question for you is:
What's your "Full Step Saga?"
What are you going to contribute for seven generations to come?
What are you going to give to your great grandchildren?
That's you.
(Applause) (Cheers)
(Music)
Mark Siller, y'all make some noise, come on, come on!
(Applause)
Whoa!
Yes, Mark Siller.
Whoa!
JK 47, what the ladies are at? Come on!
Yeah, yeah!
Nice!
(Applause)
Thank you very much, thank you, thank you, thank you very much.
(Applause)