If there is something we've learned about OC native and comedian extraordinaire Brad Williams over the years, it's that he is one hell of a dancer. We know there's no denying he's funny as hell and gets plenty of well-deserved standing O's, but that aside, this guy has moves for days. With an upcoming gig at the Irvine Improv, we used his rhythmic prowess as an excuse to give one of our favorite funny guys a homework assignment. The task at hand? To go through his extensive music library and “take it back” for us to a time long before he was rocking the stage. See, Williams was always rocking the dance floor, which is why we knew he'd get an A+ for his list of top five old-school dance-floor jams.
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5. Daft Punk- Around the World
This isn't your typical breakdancing song but when I was a DJ at Parks Jr. High, the kids went nuts over this song and it was awesome to watch. Whenever I hear this song, it reminds of my “DJ 4 Foot” days. [Laughs.] I wish that was a joke but that was my DJ name. DJ 4 Foot like the “number 4” because I was doing the whole Ke$ha “dollar sign” thing before she was!
4. Ollie and Jerry- Electric Boogaloo
Ollie and Jerry's “Electric Boogaloo” was from the best breakdancing movie of all-time which was, Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo. These kids nowadays and their Step Up's? They have nothing on Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo because here's the thing. All of these Step Up movies? They try to be good. Breakin' 2 tried to be bad. They were like, we're going to make a terrible movie with a kick ass soundtrack. No movie exemplifies the 80's themes and breakdancing more than Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo. You can't get any more gangster than that.
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3. Dr. Dre- Still D.R.E.
Speaking of gangster, this isn't a traditional breakdancing song because it's more of a Crip walk song. But, if this song ever plays in a club, everyone tries to C-walk and when white people try to c-walk, it's just hilarious because it looks like they are tripping on themselves. Whenever this song plays, I always know I can start C-walking and a little circle will form around me and the crowd will go crazy. “Still D.R.E.” keeps it gangster and I also have to throw one of these songs on the list because I'm still scared of Suge Knight. I figured if I didn't do it, he'd be knocking on my door.
2- Beastie Boys- Brass Monkey
“Brass Monkey” is one of those songs that when you hear it, you can't help but be happy. It's just such a goofy song, the lyrics don't mean anything, and it's just fun. And that's kind of what breakdancing is. Breakdancing is fun. You're not competing, you're not trying to harm anyone, and you're just trying to have a good time. To me, I cannot hear “Brass Monkey” without moving, smiling, and showing that white Jews from New York can be some of the most bad ass rappers of all time. If you go to up rappers nowadays and say, did you know that one of the greatest rappers of all times had the last name of Horovitz? They'd probably just laugh in your face. But it's true!
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1- Real McCoy- Another Night
This is something that everyone will laugh at me for but I don't care because it's my list! This song reminds me of my childhood so much. If you know this song then you know it's not really a breakdancing song and it's not really a hip hop song but, it's a song that exemplifies 90's dance club music. For me, Wednesday's were free-skate days at “Stuart's Rollerworld” and they would play this song every time. That's when you would flip backwards, go up on two wheels, ride one skate on the side of the hockey board, jump the red line, you would just save your best skate moves for when “Another Night” played. You would impress the girls with your best stuff and then you would throw them a couple of quarters and say, “Hey, let's go play Golden Axe together on that giant arcade system.” Whenever I hear this song I get a huge smile on my face and it's not leaving anytime soon.
Brad Williams performs at the Irvine Improv on May 24th and 25th, 71 Fortune Drive Irvine, CA 92618., (949) 854-5455. For tickets go to www.Improv.com. For more info, visit www.BradWilliamsComedy.com, check out his About Last Night podcast on iTunes, and follow him on Twitter: @FunnyBrad.
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Ali Lerman knows much about comedy, basketball, and celebrating Wu-Tang Wednesday. She’s been writing for sixteen years and still calls her mom with grammatical questions.