Ken Swift - Influence and Legacy

Influence and Legacy

During the period in which Hip Hop and breaking were gaining national attention, Ken's original footwork and overall style became an integral part of B-Boying and is recognized as a blueprint for the dance. As a dancer, he continues to innovate and improve upon original foundation moves; though his style was viewed as “new school” in the past, today, it is considered fundamental for breaking. In August, 1996, Ken Swift was on the cover of “Rap Pages,” making him the first B-Boy ever to be on the cover of a major Hip Hop. The popular article, "Past, Present, Future: Ken Swift The Quintessential B-Boy" portrayed and Ken Swift as pioneer of B-Boying and reaffirmed him as a fundamental figure in the Hip Hop community. He choreographed and performed in a world premiere dance piece for the ceremony entitled "Super Disco Breaks,” which also premiered its first B-Boy battle, hosted and co-judged by Ken Swift himself. In 1999, Hip Hop Culture was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum for which Ken was asked to produce an installation. He founded a dance company in 1996, known as VII Gems, which aims to spread the knowledge and preservation of New York City traditional dances such as Breaking and Rocking. Due to his contributions in the B-Boy and Hip Hop culture, Ken Swift has received two Lifetime Achievement Awards, both from credible members and groups within the Hip Hop community. In addition to these major awards, Ken Swift has received other awards including an Appreciation Award from Seoul Arts College, a Hall of Fame Living Legend Award from the Korean Tourism Agency, the Award of Recognition at the Coffey Park Old School Reunion, a Zulu Nation Achievement Award in Belgium, an Appreciation Award in Brazil, and most recently, a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ultimate B-Boy Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also in 2010, Ken was awarded the National Endowment for the Art's American Masterpieces in Dance award to reconstruct his choreography with Olive Dance Theatre in a show titled "Swift Solos: The Re-Construction of KEN SWIFT’s 20th Century Breakin’," which tours cities in the United States throughout 2010.