Freddy “Freeze” Lopez – The Intellectual B-Boy

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“Don’t speak for yourself; let other’s speak for you.”

With the ever-changing needs of the world, there is more than one way to mould our “future”. With influences such as these culture and tradition will never be forgotten. I encourage everyone to step forward to make a change!

Pedro Lee

I support positive hip-hop. If this organization can be a positive experience and provide happiness, empowerment, and light to our youth then I fully support the organization! Ase’

Summer Reyes

It’s crucially important – Hip-hop is an important part of our culture

Steve “Buddha” Leafloor

In support of uniting, educating, and educating the youth. We can never have enough people that will influence the “future!”

Sanele Mlotshwa

If you utter the words, Hip-Hop in Toronto, it is impossible to leave out the name of our most recent Classic Man. Raised in Jane and Finch, and growing up with the likes of K-Force, and Miche Mee, Freddy “Freeze” Lopez quickly rose to fame as one of Toronto’s most dynamic break-dancers. The “Freeze” in his name notarizes his incredible ability to halt all body motion, often in an interesting or balance-intensive positions. If watching a break-dancer freeze, you will see the dancer hit a move and hold it, as if freezing in motion.

Hip-Hop has a rich history in Toronto, and closely related to Hip-Hop is the art of breaking. Break dancing is an energetic form of dance that was popularized in the late 60s, and early 70s in New York City. Break dancing moves were originally learned as a form of self-defence against other gangs and eventually evolved into the complex and athletic moves that characterize modern break dancing.

Breaking is an art form that Freddy has mastered. As Toronto’s original B-Boy, watching him dance, even now, is like watching a poem, in which each movement represents a stanza. He is a B-Boy right down to his: baggy pants, sweatshirts, baseball caps (sometimes worn sideways, or backwards), and sneakers.

His passion for dance came from his parents. “Every Sunday my parents danced together in our kitchen. Sunday was the day that it all would fall to the wayside: the arguments, the stress; my parents would dance and everyone would be happy and smiling. It was my mother that encouraged me to pursue dancing because she told me that girls loved boys that could dance. It didn’t hurt that I was really good at it.”

Once he fell in love with Hip-Hop and the art of break dancing, Freddy’s life was never the same. Although being a highly skilled athlete, and participating in a range of sports including: soccer, martial arts, basketball, volleyball, and baseball, he fell in love with breaking. “I would say without hesitation, breaking saved my life. There are some moments that I will never forget, like when I opened up for Run DMC, and especially when I started the Toronto Hip-Hop Cultural Centre.”

His work at the Toronto Hip-Hop Cultural Centre is what truly inspires Freddy. The work he does there is meant to: inspire, motivate, and engage children and youth in Toronto. Freddy uses dance as a way to open the mind of the youth. The work at the centre provides them with access to opportunities that they may not have had access to on their own.

“It is about creating systems for the youth in the community. The Mayan’s had their own system; the Zulu nation had their own systems. These systems were passed down to their decedents, and helped sustain the longevity of their culture. As a well-respected elder and leader in the Hip-Hop community it is my duty to do whatever I can do to push our youth to do better, then us. To soar even higher than I was ever able to.”

As a community leader, Freddy has mastered the art of collaboration. He combines the knowledge, experience and creativity of others to develop programs throughout the community directly focused on young people. He has learned how to build influential partnerships in the community, and his cool nature is one of the reasons why people find it so easy to speak with him.

“ I work with a very strong and culturally diverse team of highly skilled art professionals. We provide a safe haven for young people to express themselves through Hip-Hop. We offer programs that unite, educate and empower children to use their chosen artistic form of expression. I want the youth in our community to grow and expand. There is a world outside Jane and Finch, and although my allegiance is to my old neighbourhood, I want the youth I work with to know that they are capable of doing so much more.”

Freddy will tell you that he would have never imagined that the eldest son of a Mexican immigrant would be working at the capacity that he does with the community. His own community questions why he has chosen to support African people the way he does, to which he responds, “Because they supported me. I learned that I couldn’t cater to everyone, so I had to cater to those who were willing, and those who supported my vision.”

He has been presented with opportunities to work with immigrant women who have experienced trauma, and children with autism. Music has been known to assist children in expressing feelings, especially after a traumatic event, and it is a wonderful communicative tool that helps people “Hear each other,” and bond with others. Freddy takes pride in what he does, and to this day, lives by the wisdom spoken to him by his father. “When you have mastered what you love to do, and pride and ego does not impede your judgement, then and only then, do you have power and control over your destiny.”

Freddy is such a wonderful soul, but you don’t have to take my word for it. I have attached a link below that will allow you to fully experience the amazing man we all know as Freeze!

Toronto Hip-Hop Culture; Youth Empowerment, Culture, and Movement – Hear 2 Help You