In West Bronx venues like the Plaza Tunnel and the Puzzle, a dance similar to Rocking emerged among African-American youth: Burning, Breakin’ (in the vernacular sense of reaching your breaking point), or Going Off, a head-to-head freestyle dance performed in the middle of a circle. A dancer “burned” their opponent through skits and eclectic dance moves from jazz, tap, James Brown, the Nicholas Brothers, and other sources. In their sets, DJs like John Brown and Smokey played party music of the day as well as hard-driving soul, funk, and rock songs. The latter included Rare Earth, “Get Ready” (1969) or James Brown, “Give It Up or Turn It Loose” (1970), whose percussive “get-down” sections set off the most energetic Burners. Kool Herc, a teenager who lived briefly above the Plaza Tunnel, was one of these dancers.


After moving to 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, Herc and his sister Cindy started throwing parties in the community room in 1973. In the years that followed, as these parties spread to Cedar Park and the Hevalo with the help of Coke La Rock, a core group of Bronx Burners emerged: Trixie, Chuck Dee, Sasa, Chubby, Duesy, Sister Boo, the Legendary Twins, Clark Kent, and others. Herc called these dancers his “B-boys” and “B-girls.” Some incorporated acrobatic splits, floor spins, and drops, but most dancers burned their opponents with upright moves and seamless style.