There aren’t enough words to express the loss that was felt in the dance world when Greg Campbellock Jr passed away last week. Men and women, of different generations, have wept. The old school and the new school have been united in their shared grief. And while we send our prayers and sympathies to Greg’s family, we’re all touched by the heightened awareness of trying to make sense of what happened. Maybe we’ve even started asking if there’s a deeper purpose behind what we choose to do everyday.
Monday night at Homeland was an outpouring of all these emotions. Many of the most influential lockers in the Los Angeles and Orange County communities including Flo Master, Suga Pop, Toni Basil, Loose Caboose and others gathered to share words and memories of Greg. OG poppers like Long Beach Time Bandits (Poppin’ Pierre, Fred), Mr. Animation, Chuco, Kool Boy, Coco, Tabo, Boppin’ Andre, Midnight and several more came to pay their respects. And the new school poppers, lockers, and bboys assembled to celebrate the legacy that they had inherited.
For one moment, everyone raised their hands heavenward for Greg. It was a silence that pierced our hearts.
There was nothing to do but dance. And for about an hour and a half, it was a nonstop explosive cypher where the OGs and the new school shared the same floor. For the new school, it was an opportunity to see some of the lost styles displayed first hand. For the OGs, it was a time to lay down their souls. In those precious moments, it felt like the ground was shaking with the outpouring of raw emotions from all these dancers. Grieving broke into smiles, laughter filled the silences, and new friendships were formed that night.
As the evening ended, Homeland was still filled with folks talking, sharing, and encouraging each other. Maybe that is the most vibrant legacy that Greg left for us. His passing has given breath to new lives that are still unfolding.
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