‘LA Dance Legend’ Shabba-Doo Remembered by Ice-T, Miles Brown and More

Hollywood stars and dancers are paying tribute to Adolfo Gutierrez Quiñones, aka Shabba-Doo, the hip-hop dance icon and Original Locker member who died on Wednesday at 65, with many looking back fondly at his work as Ozone from the cheesy but beloved ’80s film “Breakin.'”

Rapper Ice-T and “black-ish” actor Miles Brown were among those who paid their respects and explained how his moves and innovations with locking helped inspire their own work and brought them into hip-hop culture.

“I just lost ANOTHER close friend…Shabba-Do. [sic] LA dance legend,” Ice-T said in a tweet. “FF— 2020.”

Shabba-Doo was a member of The Original Lockers dance crew in the ’70s and further broke out as Ozone in both “Breakin'” and “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo.” His death was announced by fellow Original Locker Toni Basil. No cause of death was given, but Shabba-Doo had posted that earlier in the week that he had received a negative COVID-19 test yet was feeling ill.

Also Read: Adolfo 'Shabba-Doo' Quinones, Pioneering Hip-Hop Dancer and 'Breakin' Star, Dies at 65

The Michael Jackson estate issued a statement saying, “We are heartbroken by the passing of Adolfo ‘Shabba-Doo’ Quiñones and send our condolences to his family. Shabba-Doo was a genius and innovator who put body and soul into his dance and choreography. Michael worked with him over the course of many years including on the BAD short film and loved and admired him greatly.”

Rapper Dee Phunk said that “Breakin’,” despite being corny, helped move him into hip-hop, and it’s clear that Quinones’ work as a dancer and choreographer for artists like Madonna, Lionel Richie, Luther Vandross had influences on dancers far beyond just hip-hop.

“When I tell you I know entire scene dialogues VERBATIM, I’m absolutely not lying,” Dee Phunk said.

“‘Breakin’ 1 & ‘2/Electric Boogaloo’ were top movies that impacted me as a young girl. I was a tap, jazz, and ballet dancer for many years, and the choreography, relationships and community activism were so inspiring. RIP Ozone,” activist Kat Cole said in response to the rapper’s tweet.

See some more reactions below:

I just lost ANOTHER close friend… SHABBA-DO. LA dance legend. You may know from the Breakin Movies.. Has passed away… FFUCK 2020 SHABBA-DOO MONTAGE https://t.co/x57MVFwV90

— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) December 30, 2020

‘Breakin’ was me & my brother’s fave movie. We’d watch it everyday. Man🥺. #ripShabbaDoo pic.twitter.com/JW5ZRolTOj

— Reagan Gomez (@ReaganGomez) December 30, 2020

Oh no !!!!! I have watched Breakin and Breakin 2 Electric Boogaloo at least 100 times each when I was young. I knew all of the dance scenes by heart and would do them as I was watching them. Really sorry to hear this. Rest In Peace Shabba-Doo aka Ozone https://t.co/NWaHopAscC

— Etan Thomas (@etanthomas36) December 30, 2020

I just heard I’ve lost another friend Shabba do. A great Hiphop dancer. We toured together w/ Lionel Richie 1983. Gosh, Rest In Peace my brother. @officialshabbadoo @Shabba_Doo pic.twitter.com/YntRWT1t55

— SheilaEdrummer (@SheilaEdrummer) December 30, 2020

Another of our inspirational peers of the #StreetDance world has gained his wings. A personal thank you for giving me what will always remain one of my dance bibles #Breakin #ShabbaDoo pic.twitter.com/dEVOjhGYhv

— Vix (BamBamBoogies) (@BamBamBoogiesUK) December 30, 2020

Damn, Shabba Doo. RIP. So sad to see so many of our foundational dancers passing this year. pic.twitter.com/K2ZBT5rYKk

— THE BLESSED MADONNA (@Blessed_Madonna) December 30, 2020

My whole heart is broken. 😩 you were my whole childhood. I had your # but never called cuz I didnt even know what to say. Thank you for everything. RIP Shabba Doo 😔 pic.twitter.com/yjcxXQYbqG

— Mad Skillz (@SkillzVa) December 30, 2020

Rest in Peace! Thank you for inspiring me to lock🥲 #ShabbaDoo pic.twitter.com/HygyIk3Vuv

— Miles Brown (@MilesBrown) December 30, 2020

Breakin', as corny as it was, was a major part of my immersion in hip hop and the culture as a kid. When I tell you I know entire scene dialogues VERBATIM, I'm absolutely not lying. 😢 RIP Shabba Doo. https://t.co/CxuluuCsSk

— Dee Phunk (@DeePhunk) December 30, 2020

Breakin' 1 & 2/Electric Boogaloo were top movies that impacted me as a young girl. I was a tap, jazz, and ballet dancer for many years, and the choreography, relationships and community activism were so inspiring. RIP Ozone.

Din Daa Daa Din Do Do 🙏🏽https://t.co/Fv3stoH1ff https://t.co/XVHP1ynakq

— Kat Cole (@KatColeATL) December 30, 2020

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