May 15, 2006

Remembering Skeeter Rabbit

As one of the pioneers of Boogaloo Style - the foundational style of Popping - Skeeter Rabbit was a master of one of the most subtle and refined forms of hip-hop dance.
I know most people don’t associate subtlety and refinement with hip-hop, but that’s precisely why it’s important to remember his contribution. As Skeeter Rabbit’s friend and disciple Fabel taught me, Boogaloo Style uses sharp, rhythmic muscle contractions to punctuate large, sweeping, circular motions. The beauty is in the interplay between these two almost contradictory kinds of movement, which is emphasized in a variety of ways, from its choreography to the clothes the dancers wear (loosely draped, the better to show off both aspects, the sharp and the flowing).

We mourn Skeeter Rabbit as a great dancer, a great pioneer, and – by all accounts – a great person, but we also celebrate the aspects of hip-hop he represented, aspects which are too often forced to the background: subtlety, refinement, creativity, discipline, making a better life than the one you were handed, respect for one’s teachers and peers, and respect for one’s students

And so does Davey D:

Posted by jsmooth995 at May 15, 2006 5:47 PM

Comments

love and light goes out to his family

Posted by: TeN of Quad at May 15, 2006 6:53 PM

man he was kicking it!!! i watch that clip 12 times. how old was he?

Posted by: yo at May 16, 2006 1:05 PM

Skeet dancing on David Bowie's Glass Spider Tour...A TRUE PIONEER

Posted by: TeN of Quad at May 16, 2006 6:45 PM

A TRUE PIONEER - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UupBlc6X2tU

Posted by: TeN at May 16, 2006 6:46 PM

RIP skeet

Posted by: deuxistmin at May 19, 2006 9:08 PM

He was a true mentor, from near and far.

Rest well brotha...

Peace

Posted by: Rich aka Bboy4Life at May 20, 2006 12:59 AM

Thank you for thinking so highly of my Uncle my family thanks you.

C.R.I.P

MUCH LOVE UNCLE!!!! WE WILL NEVER FORGET!!!!

Posted by: Jaishan at May 20, 2006 2:38 AM

My Love goes out to the familys electric boogaloos and all who of skeeter rabbit (we will miss you brotha)

Posted by: Brandon at May 21, 2006 3:12 PM

I'm gonna Miss you dearly Cuzz, But i know i have another Angel looking over me.... R.I.P

Posted by: Kat at May 22, 2006 1:31 AM

I LOVE YOU UNCLE AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART FOREVER. THANK YOU FOR TAKING ME IN AS BEING APART OF THE FAMILY AND IM GOING TO MISS YOU.

Posted by: CANDICE at May 22, 2006 3:22 PM

take care buddy

Posted by: kev at May 23, 2006 2:00 AM

I love you Uncle. No one can or ever will take your place in my heart. Your family will take care of each other. One Love.

Posted by: Angela at May 23, 2006 11:43 AM

Rest in Peace, for someone who managed to mean something for this world in the most usefull way I could Imagine, as a dancer.

Posted by: Timpin at May 26, 2006 7:09 AM

R.I.P. STEVE, DAMN IT'S BEEN A WHILE, I SEE ALOT OF RELATIVES, CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHERE I CAN REACH HIS BROTHER BIG LANCE WE ALL WENT TO SCHOOL TOGETHER I WOULD LUV TO GIVE MY SUPPORT IN ANY WAY, THE LAST I KNOW STEVE WAS IN VEGAS AND WE LOST CONTACT, I'M STILL IN SHOCK THA'S A HARD ONE FOR ME HE WAS JUST SO,,,, STEVE NOT LIKE THIS NOT THISWAY ALL THAT ME AND HIM HAVE DONE AND BEEN THROUGH CAN SOMEONE PLEASE GET BACK TO ME. THANK AND MY PRAYERS GO OUT FROM DAY ONE.

Posted by: craig at May 27, 2006 12:57 AM

R.I.P. Skeeter Rabbit!!! Btw why did he die?????

Posted by: Chicano_Romania at May 27, 2006 9:58 AM

You will truly be missed Skeet. May you rest in Peace brother...Loose Caboose & the Mrs.

Posted by: Loose Caboose at June 1, 2006 2:09 PM

My uncle had cried when he heard about you. But Rest in pease Sketer rabit.

Love popin Toco's family

Posted by: Popin toco's family at June 6, 2006 1:01 PM

My uncle had cried when he heard about you. But Rest in pease Sketer rabit.

Love popin Toco's family

Posted by: Popin toco's family at June 6, 2006 1:03 PM

I'll miss U and never forget U
Hope u're fine wherever u are...

your French Friend...

Posted by: the French Girl... at June 7, 2006 10:24 AM

My Skeet -- I can't believe u are gone! You were the Love of My Life in Seattle... you will always have a place in my heart! I always worried @ u but I understood your pain baby! No more pain, that's what u always wanted! God Bless you sweetie, Rest in Peace! Love Always, V

Posted by: Miss V at June 13, 2006 1:29 AM

My love and condolences to Skeets family and the electric boogaloos. I didnt know him personally, but as a member of the worldwide family of funkskateers I mourne the loss of an inspiration and pioneer in funk styles. Don't worry skeet we will carry on the funk....all of us....will miss you.

Posted by: Roboticflava at June 13, 2006 4:36 PM

To Skeets family, especially his beautiful kids, I send my love & prayers. He was a cherished friend, an inspiration to young people... to Hip Hop... to countless people around the world. It's with fondness that I celebrate his life, our memories with friends & loved ones in Seattle/Vegas/LA. God Bless You SN... w/Love, LC

Posted by: ElleC at June 13, 2006 5:44 PM

R.I.P. Skeet! Skeet!

Posted by: tru at June 15, 2006 11:57 AM

how did he die

Posted by: dr. ice cold at June 18, 2006 6:56 PM

RIP Skeet. You will be missed. Condolances to his family and friends! To those asking how he died...it is of no importance...ask how the man lived

Posted by: STL Boogaloo at June 20, 2006 12:06 AM

Rest In Peace Skeeter Rabbit and thx for that what you did for the whole movement.
Greetings from Erfurt/Illmenau/Meiningen/Jena/Saalfeld/Eisenach/
Dresden/Halle/Germany

specially greetings from
Ray2me, Michelle, easy O, Krejpo, The Anh, hassde

Posted by: Ray2mi at July 2, 2006 12:40 PM

I was blow away to found out Steve pass away, How, and what happen, I was the painting performer of Madhattan and shared evey evening the stage the jokes and the good time with him...I will miss him!
Bless you!

Posted by: Jean francois at August 26, 2006 8:22 PM

I had the honour of spending some time with Skeet while filming a dance documentary. An incredible man, inspirational, charismatic, powerful, serene yet bursting with vitality and life. He had such grace and control in his every movement that all you wanted was to be near him, to watch the artistry in his dance and his way with people. I am devastated by the news that he has gone from this world, a light has most definitely gone out but as all who met the man, or saw his mesmerising gift of movement, heard his warm and comforting voice or felt the safe and genuine bear hug of his arms in friendship, I will never, ever forget him. Love and thoughts to ALL his family and friends. A giant in every sense he touched my heart and I wish him peace and good rhythms until we all meet again.

Posted by: Laura in Scotland at August 30, 2006 10:48 PM

i respect skeeter rabit and the whole pop lock lovers. i am happy to have you on dvd and i was learning from you but now i'll will trey to keep pop lock alive and take an part off you in me to keep you a legend thanks for everything.
from bboy darksaint,belgium

Posted by: darksaint at October 26, 2006 6:53 AM

to one of the greatest most blessed electric boogaloo or dancer that could ever step foot in this wounderful HIPHOP world you were and still are one of my main reason for becoming a popper a breaker and love hiphop you will be missed and your giftes and talent and person will always be membered always miss ya already

love ya Rabbit

from a friend a fan

KENA
aka POP PHENONMEON

RIP ^=~".SKEETER RABBIT."~=^

Posted by: kena at November 2, 2006 1:40 PM

I only wish I could have met this man. I never met him but I know I love him too. My heart is so heavy now but not for Skeet for I know he is at peace and resting in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But for those he has left behind. You see I have fallin in love with his brother big>E. I pray daily for the family he has left behind. I ask all who knew Skeeter that you pray for his brother Eric who is having a very hard time right now. He is so lost without his brother, his friend. My heart is just breaking for him. To: Craig who is looking for big Lance. He is here in Vegas. Email me if you can.vicks11@cox.net
Love and God Bless to the family!
Vicki

Posted by: Vicki at November 27, 2006 12:16 PM

To Craig...email correction..vickis11@cox.net

Posted by: Vicki at November 27, 2006 12:20 PM