Sophie Bramly spent 1982 to 1984 photographing clubs and culture in the Bronx. The New York borough was home to new sound and look.
Her pictures of breakdancers auditioning for the movie Beat Street at the Roxy (515 West 18th Street), the likes of Mr Freeze with his boombox. MCs and graffiti are compiled in the book Yo! The Early Days of Hip Hop 1982-84, published by Soul Jazz Books.

Zephyr and Fab Five Freddy at the Beat Street audition at the Roxy, 1984

B-Side, Amad Henderson (co-founder of the Zulu Nation) and Afrika Bambaataa, in front of Greene Street Recordings
Beat Street features a performance at the Roxy by Afrika Bambaataa, and appearances by: Soulsonic Force, Jazzy Jay, Doug E. Fresh, Bernard Fowler, the New York City Breakers – Beat Street Breakers, the Rock Steady Crew, Crazy Legs and Grandmaster Melle Mel & the Furious Five, among others.

The Beasite Boys

The Bronx River Center
“All these photos speak for a time that is so special, is never coming back and changed the world,” said Grand Mixer D. St. “It’s pretty much this experience that changed everything for ever. What makes it amazing, is that you hear stories about superheroes that changed the world, and that was us.”

Scorpio of the Furious Five backstage.

Muhamad, of the Magnificent Force Breakdance Crew, at The Bronx River Center

Grandmixer D.ST

Futura takes the Subway

Futura and Keith Haring at the Fun gallery

The Roxy

D.ST at home in his recording studio

At the auditions for Beat Street

Afrika Bambaataa and DJ Kool Herc at the Zulu Nation anniversary party, Bronx River Center
Lead Image: Breakdancer Mr Freeze with his boombox
Would you like to support Flashbak?
Please consider making a donation to our site. We don't want to rely on ads to bring you the best of visual culture. You can also support us by signing up to our Mailing List. And you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For great art and culture delivered to your door, visit our shop.