May 20, 2024 – Andscape, the Black content studio from Disney and ESPN, today announced a new documentary, BREAKIN’ ON THE ONE. Directed by JamsBash (“Pause with Sam Jay”, “The Day Ones”). In 1981, a breaking battle between the Rocksteady Crew and the Dynamic Rockers in New York City sparked a movement that grew from its devastated borough origins to influence the highest ranks of sports and entertainment. The film debuts on Hulu on Monday, June 24th.

On August 15th, 1981 when a large, excited crowd gathered at the plaza of Lincoln Center in Manhattan for the Out-of-Doors Festival. The highlight of the event was a breaking battle between the Rocksteady Crew and the Dynamic Rockers. What unfolded would prove to be a seminal moment in American culture, a showdown that has reverberated for decades across hip hop, dance, race, and politics. Utilizing a trove of archival material from the 1980s and interviews with those who were there, this is the chronicle of how breaking transformed itself from a niche urban activity to an Olympic sport performed worldwide. It’s the tale of how a handful of innovators from often neglected corners of a struggling city helped create a cornerstone event for a movement, one that grew from its devastated borough origins to influence the highest ranks of sports and entertainment. Spanning much of the half-century since hip hop emerged in New York and became a cultural phenomenon, this is the story of how the breaking battle of 1981 helped create the world as we know it today.

“Ahead of its Olympic debut this summer, we are thrilled to bring the story of break dancing to our audiences, ” said Jason Aidoo, VP and head of Andscape. “This documentary is a testament to the impact breakin’, The Rocksteady Crew and Dynamic Rockers have had on our culture.”

Said Directors JamsBash: “We are incredibly stoked to help tell the story of these amazing dancers. Kids from Black and brown communities in New York created a unique art form that’s now an Olympic Sport. We love that a small part of that origin is now being celebrated on film. Collaborating with Andscape to bring this documentary to audiences was a no brainer, we can’t wait to share this little bit of the culture with the world’.”

“‘Breakin’ On the One’ is a celebration of the community that revolutionized dance, and brought people from across the world together. We are thrilled for this story to finally be recognized, and to bring it to audiences across the globe,”said Vice President of ESPN Films, Marsha Cooke.

Credits:

Directors: JamsBash

Executive Producers: Jason Aidoo, Dwayne Bray, Heather Anderson, Marsha Cooke, Brian Lockhart, Burke Magnus

Producers: ESPN Films, Marquis Daisy, Gus Navarro, Catherine Sankey, Ashley Bembry-Kaintuck (Co-Producer)

About ESPN Films

ESPN Films has been an industry leader in documentary filmmaking since its inception in March 2008, producing more than 100 documentaries that have showcased some of the most compelling stories in sports. The high quality of storytelling, highlighted by the Peabody and Emmy Award-winning 30 for 30 series and the Academy-Award winning documentary “O.J.: Made in America,” has led to record viewership as well as multiple honors and critical acclaim. Additional projects from ESPN Films over the years have included 30 for 30 Shorts, Nine for IX, SEC Storied and Emmy award-winning docu-series “The Last Dance.” ESPN+ is the exclusive home for the entire 30 for 30 library.

About Andscape

Andscape is a Black content studio that explores the depth of Black identity through its power in sports and culture. Magnified by the power and reach of The Walt Disney Company, the Andscape umbrella includes daily journalism, film, television, book publishing and music.