Rab’s World

My man Frosty! You had to luv that guy! Say word!

Frosty Freeze made his movement into the next realm on the morning of April 3rd, 2008 approximately 7:50 AM in New York City, USA. Born with the government name; Wayne Frost; he became the poster boy for B-Boying (later Breakdancing) in the late 70s/early 80s. He was a very influential member of the New York City based Rocksteady Crew. Frosty Freeze was 44.

I closely followed his condition right after I was informed by Christie Zimmerman and Jorgé ‘Fabel TCV’ Pabon. Sadly; the last time I saw him was at The annual Graffiti Hall of Fame gathering in New York in 2007. At this point; I do not know what took him away. But I know he was ill for a while.

I first encountered Frosty Freeze face to face in 1981 at Joyce Toybin’s GPI Graffiti gallery on Hudson Street in the Meatpacking District of New York City. I was living in Queens at the time; but his legendary status has already taken a place in my teenage mind. When I met him, I already knew who he was. I was an active part of the Hip Hop movement. I was and I am still a ‘B-Boy’.

A true B-Boy did everything. Djay, Emcee, Write and Dance. I did it all. Frosty Freeze did it all! Some perfected an elememnt better than others. I did my Graff and Freeze did his dance. His footwork (Top-Rock) was incredible! His flip and back slam (suicidal) was untouchable and trademark of him.

Over the years (the next 20 or so) I would see Frosty Freeze at various New York Hip Hop gatherings. Graff shows; 106 & Park Hall of Fame; Park Jams in various boroughs; The Roxy; Zulu Nation rallies; Rocksteady reunions in the early 90s and other B-Boy stuff.

At times I remember kicking it with him during his various drug dependencies. But you know; when you are from the hood of NYC; you kind of blow those things off. After all; Frosty Freeze was a few years older than me. So I looked up to him no matter what he was going through in his personal life. Or through the squabbles with Crazy Legs. I ‘ll never forget viewing the footage of when he and fellow RSC members battled the crew from around my South Jamaica way called the Dynamic Rockers near Lincoln Center. I’m not sure if Martha or Henry had shown me that footage.

I loved talking to him because he knew his Hip Hop history. (Naturally because he was an active part; not a spectator.) Dusted or high; he still made sense back in the days when he passionately talked about the thing we loved most..Hip Hop! Later (1983) he exploded on the American scene for his suicidal backslam scene in the movie ‘FlashDance’. The funny thing though is that he was more famous in Europe at this point in the time line than in North America.

May Allah bless his troubled but now peaceful soul. I’m going through my personal photos to find one of us together to attach to this remembrance.

If you are not familiar with this B-Boy; then I can refer you to ‘Style Wars‘ (1982); ‘Wild Style‘ (1983); ‘FlashDance‘ (1983); ‘Beat Street‘ (1984); ‘The Freshest Kids‘ (2002) and ‘5 Sides of a Coin‘ (2003)

Here is a New York Times & NY Daily News article on him pushed to AP by Martha Cooper (Famous B-Boy photographer and Documenter)

Tues, APRIL 8: Funeral services for Frosty Freeze.Viewing: 9am until 11 am. Service begins 12 noon. Unity Funeral Chapel  2352 8th Ave. by 126th St. NYC 10027.unityfuneralchapels.com. Phone: 212.666.8300.