This is my first mixtape since the Quarantine Mix from March of 2020, back when the world was changing very quickly due to the pandemic. Go ahead and turn it up:
How did this happen and why?
In the time since the Quarantine mixtape, I’ve published dozens of tracks, including singles, EPs, and the album Virtual Bboy Battle Beats, alongside scores of unfinished projects that are always in the works.
I knew it was past time to put out a mixtape for months, and this one took a while to birth, with many false starts and aborted versions. Finally, this one came together at the beginning of November.
The Tracklist
I wasn’t totally sure what to include in the playlist, since I had released so many tracks, some more House-y than Breaks, and so many that I never officially released, but had been in my crate for the battles I played remotely during the pandemic, like “Ronin,” “Jungly,” and one of my favorites, “Return of the Bgirl,” plus other joints I posted but never really “published” like “MZK War Chant.”
In the end, since I went through so many aborted runs of the mixtape, the playlist continued to evolve, and even though I regret not including a few tracks, I think the final selections were solid enough. You can read the full tracklist here.
I’m extremely grateful to everyone that has supported my work by sharing the music through their own dance videos, mixtapes, playing the joints at battles, and of course, buying the music. I’ve reposted a lot of the dance videos from around the world, featuring the new tracks, on my Instagram, so go have a peep.
The Shout-Outs
A very special THANK YOU goes to the individuals that sent shoutouts for this mixtape, including:
Crazy C of Backyard Funk Crew
This man is my brethren since the AKA Lounge days. Big shoutout to the whole crew, all I can say is “BYF to the DEF!”
Honey Rockwell of Rockwell Dance Academy
It’s been my honor to work with Honey on a number of music projects and to DJ her Rockwell Breakin’ Classic jam last year.
Tyquan of Mighty Zulu Kings
It has been extra dope getting to know Tyquan and other MZK brethren. The future is BRIGHT!
Ian of Bboy Factory
My Colorado people are some of my favorite, and Ian is just one of those dudes. I’m very grateful for Ian’s leadership and to work with him on so many dope projects.
Nightcrawler of Future Force Crew
It was insane to get the man with the one-of-a-kind epic voice on this mixtape, and I’m so glad to know my FFC family for so many years. Massive shoutout to the whole crew!
Zeku of Breakin MIA/Monster Energy Breakers
I’ve gotten to watch this young man grow up over the years, taking the W at jam after jam with the other extremely exceptional bboys of the FFC and Miami scenes. The world better be ready for Zeku!
Wayne Diamond of “Uncut Gems”
It was surreal to connect with this legend of NYC fashion, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he does next.
MagneziuM of Your Troubles Crew
A massive shoutout to my Israeli brethren and sistren, and to the entire YT family. These guys have been breaking down the walls worldwide, and I can’t wait to connect in person on my next trip overseas.
Tha Cutt of Spindle Crew
This award-winning, extra dope DJ’s friendship and support has been huge in recent years, and I’m truly grateful to know him.
Geechi Suede of Camp Lo
My brother for years now, Geechi has been a fixture in my walkman since “Uptown Saturday Night,” and it is mind-blowing to me to have him featured on the unreleased joint “Bronx Bboy,” which shows up at the 30:45 point on this mixtape.
I interviewed Camp Lo for Bboysounds in 2015 on the release of their album “Ragtime High Times” and have stayed connected ever since, jumping in to mix Geechi’s Prince-dedicated EP “Purple Suede” in 2017.
The Artwork and Title
The artwork and name for this mixtape came as a late-breaking surprise, and I actually spent a lot of time on other versions of the art and title, which should probably never see the light of day. 😬
The image is from the Bragging Rights jam held in West Palm Beach in Sep. 2018 with the Police Athletic League. BIG shoutout to my brother Gohon, another of the Future Force Crew family, who you can see in this news clip:
We also had the host with the most, Will Stylez, on the mic, and everyone else that participated in this epic event, including the legend himself, Demoh, who jumped in to help save the day when my bboy remix of “This Is America” tripped the fuse and cut the music on the first beat. I can still feel that dread. 😂
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