Breakdance Classics

Open up a circle on the dance floor, 'cause the b-boys and b-girls can't keep from breaking hard to these classics of hip-hop's golden age: The futuristic jazz/turntable scratch fusion of "Rockit"; the rubbery, "don't worry be happy" vibe of "The Breaks"; and the propulsive, insistent drums of "Apache." Now that your double-joints are warmed up, flex them in the direction of Next Steps.

Early hip-hop culture was all about mixing genres in pursuit of the perfect beat. So it wouldn't appear strange to see a breaker uprocking to classic, steely electro (Mantronix, Afrika Bambaataa), convulsive funk (James Brown, the Brown-sampling Maestro), funky punk (the Clash), or shell-top-shuffling hip-hop (Run-DMC, Eric B. & Rakim). Stay supple — our Deep Cuts follow.

The only way those feet are gonna keep moving is if the beats and drum breaks keep rolling. Check out the Beastie Boys back when their heads were in the gutter along with pioneering producer Rick Rubin; the needle-flexing turntable skills of Grandmaster Flash; the punchy, poignant rap of EPMD; and the bizarro electro of Newcleus.

Popping, locking, Gumby handstands and heads spinning like tops — such are the inhuman ways of the b-boys and b-girls, both undeniable pioneers of hip-hop culture. Like any major dance movement, breakdancing came with its own unique soundtrack: in this case, a DJ-as-master-selector playlist of the punk, funk, rap, new wave, and electro tracks that gave the '80s its open-minded, hugely influential appeal. Seriously, just try to keep yourself from landing a spider move after hearing a few of these crucial cuts. Keep the muscle ointment handy.