For Bookings, please contact:
FabelRSC at gmail.com Fabel is available to teach Popping and/or Locking dance master classes or workshops, host, DJ, film and/or participate in panel discussions.
Lecture Demonstrations presented
by Jorge FABEL Pabon
(complete w/ archival film footage)
Great Hip Hop Swindle
Hip Hop historian and practitioner, Jorge "Fabel" Pabon covers the rise, fall and resurrection of Hip Hop culture. The lecture includes key points such as: how social, political and economic dynamics played a role during the birth of Hip Hop culture, the revolutionary spirit of the culture, the effects the recording industry had on the culture and examples of how the culture is being preserved by grass roots organizations and so much more. Authentic Hip Hop artifacts from Fabel's archive are presented throughout the lecture. Includes a Q & A session. One to three hours in duration (depending on time and budget) supplemented by audio/video material. Read Fabel's article
How Hip Hop Lost the Plot (The Independent - UK) The History of Hip Hop Dance
Jorge "Fabel" Pabon, VP of The Rock Steady Crew, describes and defines the four major foundational dance forms associated with Hip Hop culture: Lockin', Poppin', Breakin' and Rockin' with focus on the distinct history, deeper roots and vocabulary of each dance form. This lecture also focuses on the early contributions from the West Coast dance scene. Fabel also demonstrates Poppin', Lockin' and Rockin'. One to two hours in duration (depending on time and budget) supplemented by audio/video material. Includes Q & A. Note: Some information from this lecture can be referenced in his essay "Physical Graffiti" featured in Total Chaos edited by Jeff Chang. The original:
Physical Graffiti (commissioned by The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum)Apache Line: From Gangs to Hip Hop
Although the documentary is a work in progress, Jorge "Fabel" Pabon has screened the one hour long rough cut at several events. "Apache Line" takes us on a journey through the trials, tribulations and triumphs of NYC street families that celebrated urban culture, through artistic expression, prior to the advent of what we know as "Hip Hop culture". This documentary is a testament to the power of flipping negative energy to positive, survival and preservation. Fabel offers additional information and further elaborates on the documentary during the Q & A session. He also presents Hip Hop artifacts that are relative to the topic. The complete presentation can be 2 to 3 hours. Learn more at myspace.com/apacheline. Note: Some information from this lecture can be referenced in Fabel's introduction to TERRIBLE T.KID 170's self titled book as well as an essay he wrote on style and fashion for Martha Cooper's "Hip Hop Files: Photographs 1979-1984".
Latinos in Hip Hop
A one hour lecture/demonstration that explores the presence and contributions made by Latinos in Hip Hop culture. The presentation includes rare footage and audio material that reflect the major impact made by Hip Hop's Latino legends and pioneers. Some material precedes the advent of Hip Hop and comprehensively connects the dots from earlier movements such as Mambo, Bomba, Plena, Salsa, Latin Boogaloo and Latin Soul to what eventually became known as Hip Hop. This lecture clearly reveals why Hip Hop culture was a natural succession to the urban Latino cultural experience. Jorge "Popmaster Fabel" Pabon consulted Raquel Z Rivera for her book, "New York Ricans From The Hip Hop Zone" as well as appeared in and consulted Henry Chalfant's documentary, "From Mambo To Hip Hop". He also coordinated several "Latinos In Hip Hop" conferences at various universities and has lectured alongside Professor Juan Flores, (From Bomba To Hip Hop) and Master Robert Farris Thompson (Flash Of The Spirit). Includes a Q & A session.
Muslims in Hip Hop
Details to be provided.
Jorge POPMASTER FABEL Pabon
Rock Steady Crew, Tools of War, Universal Zulu Nation, TC5
Senior Vice President of the Rock Steady Crew, Fabel is a renowned Hip Hop dancer, choreographer and historian. A respected activist and spokesman within Hip Hop culture, Fabel is an auspicious talent whose work includes film (Beat Street, From Mambo to Hip Hop and more), stage, aerosol art, DJ'ing and digital arts. He's an originator and inspiring voice within the genre having worked with luminaries such as the Magnificent Force and Electric Boogaloos amongst others.
Jorge "PopMaster Fabel" Pabon was born and raised in Spanish Harlem, NYC where, at an early age, he developed his dance and choreography career at Hip Hop jams and clubs throughout the city. A pioneer of Hip Hop theater, Fabel is co-founder of GhettOriginal Productions, Inc. With GhettOriginal, Fabel co-authored, co-directed, and co-choreographed the first two Hip Hop musicals ever, "So! What Happens Now?" and "Jam on the Groove" (first official Off-Broadway Hip Hop musical). He has also toured internationally as a featured performer with "Jam on the Groove," which was nominated for best choreography at the Drama Desk Awards in 1996. Along with fellow members of the Rhythm Technicians and The Rock Steady Crew, he won the 1991 Bessie Award for choreography. Fabel was the first American Hip Hop dancer to perform in Cuba, in 1986 & 1988, with the dance company, Ballet D'Angelo. Fabel also gained world renown as a featured dancer in the Hip Hop cult classic movie, "Beat Street." Along with senior members of Rock Steady Crew, Fabel was an honoree at VH1's 1st Hip Hop Honors. He was a principle dancer and one of the artistic directors in Rennie Harris's theatrical production, "Legends Of Hip Hop".
In 1999, Fabel served as a consultant, moderator, panelist, and writer for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's exhibit and conference: "The Hip Hop Nation: Roots, Rhyme and Rage." When this exhibit traveled to the Brooklyn Museum of Art in September, 2000, Fabel was invited to lecture, exhibit a vintage outfit and serve on the exhibit's Honorary Committee. Vintage Hip Hop outfits, owned by Fabel were on display at the Museum of the City of New York and Experience Music Project in Seattle, WA. Visitors to EMP were guided through the Hip Hop clothing exhibit by Fabel's voice detailing every aspect of the outfits displayed.
He is the first Hip Hop dance instructor to be employed at NYU's Experimental Theater Wing and has taught a Hip Hop Dance workshop at the New School in NYC. As an adjunct professor, he also teaches movement at CAP 21, part of NYU's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts. Fabel gives lectures, demonstrations, master classes, and participates in outreach programs and conferences internationally. In 2001, he addressed delegates at the United Nation's "Hip Hop Conference for Peace." Fabel has taught Popping, Locking and Uprocking in various schools for the Sports and Arts in School's Foundation. He has also been commissioned to teach dance workshops at such NYC institutions as Henry Street Settlement, The Dalton School and Central Park East One, among the many.
He is currently working on three documentaries: "Apache Line: From Gangs To Hip Hop", "Fabel's History of Hip Hop Fashion Vol. 1" and "Puerto Ricans in Hip Hop." Fabel is a historian of and activist within Hip Hop culture. His other forms of expression include "graffiti" art, DJ'ing, rhyming and digital arts. Fabel is a co-founder of Tools Of War, a grass roots Hip Hop company covering publicity, events coordination and promotions, bookings, and consultation.
Fabel's essays are featured in: Joe Conzo's "Born in the Bronx", Martha Cooper's "Hip Hop Files", "The Nasty Terrible T-KID 170" as well as "Total Chaos" edited by Jeff Chang. He offers lectures, demonstrations, master classes, and participates in outreach programs and conferences internationally. He is a historian of and activist within Hip Hop culture. As a witness to the growth of Hip Hop culture since 1976, Fabel believes that true Hip Hop culture is a blessing from the Creator given to uplift and unify youth globally..
Contact: FabelRSC at gmail.com
myspace.com/PopMasterFabel popmasterfabel.com myspace.com/apacheline myspace.com/ToolsofWar rocksteadycrew.com zulunation.com