Mastermind Rockers
est. 1977, 2009
Original Mastermind Rockers est. 1977
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New Generation Mastermind Rockers est. 2009
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Mastermind Rockers, or MMR, represent the original ghetto dance, Rocking, also known as Rock Dance or the Brooklyn Rock. This was a dance developing popularity throughout New York City when hard times plagued the communities in the early 1970’s. The youth were dancing this dance in efforts to avoid joining gangs, to escape violence, and as entertainment when other resources weren’t available. Now, Rocking has become a foundational dance style, practiced and showcased around the world. The name Mastermind Rockers stands dignified and continues to represent Rock Dance tradition in today’s progressive dance culture.
Originally, Frankie Viejo (RIP), along with Fano, founded Mastermind Rockers in 1977. Fano and Viejo were friends from Grover Cleveland High School, in Brooklyn, NYC. They created this group, MMR, at a time where the Hustle dance was fading out and break dancing and popping and locking hadn’t yet developed. Rock Dance and Freestyle was in. Rock Dance was alive on the street, at parks, in clubs and in community centers. Viejo and Fano were inspired by the first generation Rockers, outlaws, and freestylers they had seen and decided to create their own group, MMR. They can be considered second generation Rockers, as history plays out and can also be accredited to the creation of the MMR legacy.
Other original second generation dancers to the Rock and Members of MMR are, Rennie, Frankie, Dash, Rubberband, Smurf, Law, Spin, Man 3, Mr. T, Doctor Love, Speedy, Blinkie, Popeye, Choco, Rafaella, Manny, Papito, Moe, Marty, Sarome 4, OC, EG, Lor, Caludio, GI, Mingo, Miriam, and Kick.
Each member mentioned here, played a large part in the NYC Rock Dance culture, as we know it today. This dance played a huge role in each member’s life, growing up in New York City, post Vietnam War. Then, this dance was an alternative to gang membership, sports teams, and was a powerful outlet for the dancers. The music would be heard and the dance would be seen outside in the streets and at public jams. DJ’s would spin records in parks and at community centers. The DJ’s at this time would mix singles, looping the break for the rockers to dance to, on and on. Some of the most renowned singles at the time were “Sex Machine,” “Just Begun,” and “Apache.” The scene was motivating for people to gather; however times were tough and the streets were not safe. Dance groups had to be weary of leaving their own turf in order to avoid gangs who set territorial restrictions on neighborhoods. Even with the violence, dance groups, like MMR, found places to practice and party within their neighborhoods. For MMR their practice took place in Miguel’s storage space on McGuiness Boulevard, at Cooper Park, and in community centers around Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
The Rock holds it’s dance tradition today and more recently, in 2009, has been re-established.
In 2008, Mighty Mike began his research on MMR and in doing so, interviewed old school MMR Rockers, Choco, Rubberband, Popeye, Spin, and Dash. Additionally, Mike interviewed Ringo, a long time friend and already established dancer in NYC. Mike was inspired by his interviews and was encouraged by Break Eazy of Dynasty Rockers, to start his own group, and later with Ringo, who eventually became Mikes dance partner and co-founder of the new school chapter of MMR.
Mighty Mike, born in Puerto Rico, raised in South Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has roots as a B-Boy, Rocker, and Loft Dancer, formally with, The Furious Rockers, Scramblin Feet, New York City Breakers, Just Begun Crew, Loft Savages, Full Circle, and toured extensively with Kurtis Blow. Ringo, born and raised in South Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has his history in Latin Hustle, Salsa, Rocker, B-Boy, and Loft Dancer, with The Latin Dancers, Paradise Rockers, Loft Unlimited, Loft Savages, Rhythm Reaction, Brother-to-Brother, and Furious Rockers. The two of them, combined their skills and passion to sustain and nourish Mastermind Rockers.
The two of them, with their extensive backgrounds in dance and blessing from MMR, started a new chapter of Mastermind Rockers in 2009. Now, MMR represents almost 40-years of Rock Dance and has brought the Rock all the way to Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Poland, and throughout the United States.
Times have certainly changed in NYC, since Rocking had its start in the early 70’s, and you rarely hear grooves out in the streets, however in this globalizing era, videos are being passed along, crews from across the world are connecting, and organized Rock Dance events and competitions are organized.
Today, the new Mastermind Rockers (mostly 5th and 6th generation), based out of New York City include, Mighty Mike, Ringo, Spin, Tiny Love, C Rock, Rival, Willie Bureta, James, Jacky (Taiwan), Yell G (Taiwan), KJ (S.Korea), Knukl (S.Korea), Lenny (Poland), Goody Roc, Vitamin D, Ill Brie Ski and additional Junior Members, Sara, Lee, Jefferson, Little Moose (California) , Chauncey, Swiss Roc (Switzerland), and No Ya (France).
Through time, the dance is gaining popularity and is positively developing. Each week, MMR continues to share The Rock with passionate students in Brooklyn, still. The love for the movement and purpose of the dance stays true to all members, The Rock is an expression, it is a way to show strength and dance technique through fellowship and representation of crew and self. For future rockers, Fano says, “Learn basics. Basics are your formula. If you take pieces out you are missing the equation. Learn songs by interpreting songs while your dancing, highlighting instruments.”
Written and arranged by Brie Helmuth, 2014
Originally, Frankie Viejo (RIP), along with Fano, founded Mastermind Rockers in 1977. Fano and Viejo were friends from Grover Cleveland High School, in Brooklyn, NYC. They created this group, MMR, at a time where the Hustle dance was fading out and break dancing and popping and locking hadn’t yet developed. Rock Dance and Freestyle was in. Rock Dance was alive on the street, at parks, in clubs and in community centers. Viejo and Fano were inspired by the first generation Rockers, outlaws, and freestylers they had seen and decided to create their own group, MMR. They can be considered second generation Rockers, as history plays out and can also be accredited to the creation of the MMR legacy.
Other original second generation dancers to the Rock and Members of MMR are, Rennie, Frankie, Dash, Rubberband, Smurf, Law, Spin, Man 3, Mr. T, Doctor Love, Speedy, Blinkie, Popeye, Choco, Rafaella, Manny, Papito, Moe, Marty, Sarome 4, OC, EG, Lor, Caludio, GI, Mingo, Miriam, and Kick.
Each member mentioned here, played a large part in the NYC Rock Dance culture, as we know it today. This dance played a huge role in each member’s life, growing up in New York City, post Vietnam War. Then, this dance was an alternative to gang membership, sports teams, and was a powerful outlet for the dancers. The music would be heard and the dance would be seen outside in the streets and at public jams. DJ’s would spin records in parks and at community centers. The DJ’s at this time would mix singles, looping the break for the rockers to dance to, on and on. Some of the most renowned singles at the time were “Sex Machine,” “Just Begun,” and “Apache.” The scene was motivating for people to gather; however times were tough and the streets were not safe. Dance groups had to be weary of leaving their own turf in order to avoid gangs who set territorial restrictions on neighborhoods. Even with the violence, dance groups, like MMR, found places to practice and party within their neighborhoods. For MMR their practice took place in Miguel’s storage space on McGuiness Boulevard, at Cooper Park, and in community centers around Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
The Rock holds it’s dance tradition today and more recently, in 2009, has been re-established.
In 2008, Mighty Mike began his research on MMR and in doing so, interviewed old school MMR Rockers, Choco, Rubberband, Popeye, Spin, and Dash. Additionally, Mike interviewed Ringo, a long time friend and already established dancer in NYC. Mike was inspired by his interviews and was encouraged by Break Eazy of Dynasty Rockers, to start his own group, and later with Ringo, who eventually became Mikes dance partner and co-founder of the new school chapter of MMR.
Mighty Mike, born in Puerto Rico, raised in South Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has roots as a B-Boy, Rocker, and Loft Dancer, formally with, The Furious Rockers, Scramblin Feet, New York City Breakers, Just Begun Crew, Loft Savages, Full Circle, and toured extensively with Kurtis Blow. Ringo, born and raised in South Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has his history in Latin Hustle, Salsa, Rocker, B-Boy, and Loft Dancer, with The Latin Dancers, Paradise Rockers, Loft Unlimited, Loft Savages, Rhythm Reaction, Brother-to-Brother, and Furious Rockers. The two of them, combined their skills and passion to sustain and nourish Mastermind Rockers.
The two of them, with their extensive backgrounds in dance and blessing from MMR, started a new chapter of Mastermind Rockers in 2009. Now, MMR represents almost 40-years of Rock Dance and has brought the Rock all the way to Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Poland, and throughout the United States.
Times have certainly changed in NYC, since Rocking had its start in the early 70’s, and you rarely hear grooves out in the streets, however in this globalizing era, videos are being passed along, crews from across the world are connecting, and organized Rock Dance events and competitions are organized.
Today, the new Mastermind Rockers (mostly 5th and 6th generation), based out of New York City include, Mighty Mike, Ringo, Spin, Tiny Love, C Rock, Rival, Willie Bureta, James, Jacky (Taiwan), Yell G (Taiwan), KJ (S.Korea), Knukl (S.Korea), Lenny (Poland), Goody Roc, Vitamin D, Ill Brie Ski and additional Junior Members, Sara, Lee, Jefferson, Little Moose (California) , Chauncey, Swiss Roc (Switzerland), and No Ya (France).
Through time, the dance is gaining popularity and is positively developing. Each week, MMR continues to share The Rock with passionate students in Brooklyn, still. The love for the movement and purpose of the dance stays true to all members, The Rock is an expression, it is a way to show strength and dance technique through fellowship and representation of crew and self. For future rockers, Fano says, “Learn basics. Basics are your formula. If you take pieces out you are missing the equation. Learn songs by interpreting songs while your dancing, highlighting instruments.”
Written and arranged by Brie Helmuth, 2014
