Original Breaking crews from Providence in the early days!
Top Master Crew (TMC): Origins and History
Top Master Crew (TMC) was a pioneering hip-hop and breakdancing (breaking) crew from Providence, Rhode Island, founded in the early 1980s. The crew originated primarily on Providence’s South Side, particularly around the Broad Street area.
History and Founding
Established in 1981, Top Master Crew became one of the earliest foundational breaking crews in Rhode Island’s hip-hop history.
Joey “Juice” Costa, associated with New York City’s TC5, initially founded the crew alongside Leo. Although Juice and Leo established TMC, the presidency was immediately granted to Dennis “Elf” Pacheco.
As the crew developed, its members established deep connections throughout the regional hip-hop circuit of the 1980s, including ties to legendary New York City factions such as the Rock Steady Crew and TC5.
Alongside other pioneering local crews, including the Furious Rockers (Providence chapter, established in 1981) and Return to Burn (RTB) (established in 1982), TMC helped lay the groundwork for what would become a resilient, decades-long breaking scene in the Ocean State.
Historical Significance and Legacy
Top Master Crew is recognized as one of Rhode Island’s three principal pioneering breaking crews, helping establish the foundation of the state’s early hip-hop dance culture.
Crew Details
Crew Name: Top Master Crew (TMC)
Founded By: Joey “Juice” Costa and Leo
Year Established: 1981
Location: South Side, Providence, Rhode Island
First President: Dennis “Elf” Pacheco
Historical Significance: One of Rhode Island’s earliest foundational breaking crews
Era: Early 1980s New England hip-hop and breaking movement
TMC emerged during the first wave of breaking in New England, alongside regional pioneers such as Boston’s Floor Lords and fellow Providence crews, including the early members of Return to Burn.
Original Members and Early Roster
The original early-1980s roster of Providence’s Top Master Crew featured several prominent pioneering New England b-boys.
Archival records and community histories from the early hip-hop era identify the following individuals as some of the members of TMC:
Joey “Juice” Costa
Leo
Fernando “Albino Rock” Valiente
Johnny “ZAM” Soto
Dennis “Elf” Pacheco
Gary “Gary Crack” Wallace
Adolph “Adee-Rok” Peralta
Ponch
Larry Love
Billy Shavers
Blask
Joe “Joe Hammer” Arias
Domingo Monteiro
Jerry “Oz-Rock” Alvarez
Daddy Long Leggs (Inducted in 2010 By Johnny Soto)
The roster also included many other dancers who contributed to the crew’s history and legacy.
Honorary Members and New York City Connections
Doze Green and Seen, both associated with TC5 in New York City, were honorary members of TMC.
During this period, Doze and Seen traveled between New York City and Rhode Island to pursue graffiti writing. Their connections with Juice also helped establish relationships with Providence-area breakers, strengthening the ties between the New York and Rhode Island hip-hop communities.
These connections reflected the close relationships that developed among early hip-hop pioneers across state lines during the 1980s.
Leadership, Loss, and the Attempted Revival
Although Juice and Leo founded TMC, the presidency was immediately granted to Dennis “Elf” Pacheco. Juice passed away a few years on October 13th 2023.
Elf died in 1988 as a result of street violence, marking a tragic chapter in the crew’s history.
After years of dormancy, Johnny “ZAM” Soto attempted to revive TMC in 2010 and was serving as its president at that time. A decorated Providence Police Officer, Sadly, Johnny also passed away in October 2010.
Before his passing, Johnny and his cousin, Fernando “Albino” Valiente, met Daddy Long Leggs in May 2010. They took a liking to him and officially welcomed him into the crew.
Plans were discussed for a new chapter and the revival of TMC, but those plans never came to fruition.
Despite these losses and the crew’s eventual dormancy, the legacy of TMC continues through the memories, stories, and contributions of its original members and the broader Rhode Island hip-hop community.
Jerry “Oz-Rock” Alvarez: From Providence to Hollywood
Jerry “Oz-Rock” Alvarez was a dancer known from the East Coast to the West Coast. Born in New York City, he moved to Providence, Rhode Island, as a young child.
His father was a schoolteacher who eventually became superintendent of the Providence school system. A funny story of legend was that Mr. Alvarez caught his son on the top of Central High school in Providence with his boombox during school hours, practicing his dance craft. His dad took his radio and threw it off of the roof of the school where it shattered into a million pieces, and then marched Oz-Rock back to class.
During the early 1980s, Oz-Rock spent time in Providence as a member of Top Master Crew before moving to Los Angeles to pursue film roles and other opportunities. He eventually settled in Miami, Florida.
Throughout his career, Oz-Rock was associated with several crews across New York City, Providence, and Los Angeles, reflecting the far-reaching connections of the early breaking scene.
His film credits included appearances as a street dancer in The Pilot (1984) and Body Rock (1984), and several music videos among other accomplishments.
Oz-Rock’s journey from Providence to the West Coast and beyond illustrates how the early hip-hop movement connected local pioneers to a much larger national culture.
The Interstate 95 Rivalry: Providence vs. Boston
Early-to-Mid-1980s Competitive Battles
One of the most prominent competitive tensions for Rhode Island’s breaking crews during the 1980s involved crews from Massachusetts, particularly Boston.
Boston’s Floor Lords were a major force in New England breaking. Providence crews such as TMC frequently traveled north or hosted visiting dancers to defend their home turf and exchange rounds.
These encounters allowed dancers to demonstrate their skills, test their styles against regional competition, and establish which city had the faster footwork, sharper power moves, and strongest overall presence.
The rivalry between Providence and Boston became part of the competitive culture that helped shape the early New England breaking scene.
Local Providence Cyphers and Early RTB Connections
The Battle for Rhode Island Supremacy (1981–1985)
Before local crews became more formally established, street-level rivalries and spontaneous battles were a regular part of Providence’s emerging hip-hop culture.
Led by Elf, TMC competed in informal cyphers against dancers from rival neighborhoods throughout Providence.
Dancers who would later form or affiliate with early versions of Return to Burn (RTB) frequently crossed paths with TMC members in local school gymnasiums, outdoor park jams, and other community gatherings.
These encounters helped establish the competitive relationships, friendships, and rivalries that became part of Rhode Island’s early breaking history.
The Rock Steady Crew Connection
Showcases and Sparring Battles: Mid-1980s
As TMC members developed direct relationships with New York City pioneers associated with the Rock Steady Crew and TC5, their competitive experiences expanded beyond the local scene.
When New York b-boys traveled to New England, dancers participated in intense sparring sessions and cyphers that tested their skills against one another.
These encounters were not necessarily about official trophies. Instead, they were opportunities to set standards, exchange techniques, and compare Providence’s developing style with the breaking traditions established in the Bronx and New York City.
Such connections helped strengthen the relationship between Rhode Island’s early hip-hop community and the pioneers who shaped breaking nationally.
The Furious Rockers: A First-Generation New England Breaking Crew
Origins and Expansion
The Furious Rockers hold a significant place in early hip-hop history as a first-generation crew of b-boy and b-girl pioneers.
Originally established around 1978–1979 in Coney Island, Brooklyn, by founder Cheeba Rock (Edwin Rivera), who also held ties to Providence R.I. And Dynamic Rockers. The crew helped develop the early foundations of South Brooklyn rock dancing and b-boy culture.
As breaking spread throughout the East Coast during the early 1980s, the Furious Rockers expanded beyond New York City.
The Providence, Rhode Island, chapter was established in 1981, making it one of the earliest organized extensions of a New York-based hip-hop dance crew into New England.
Alongside Top Master Crew, the Providence chapter of the Furious Rockers contributed to the development of Rhode Island’s first-generation breaking scene.
Timeline and Regional Context
1978–1979: The Brooklyn Foundation
The Furious Rockers were established in Coney Island, Brooklyn, by Cheeba Rock.
The crew helped establish an early foundation for South Brooklyn rock dancing and b-boy styles.
1981: The Providence Breaking Scene Takes Shape
Top Master Crew was established in Providence, Rhode Island, under the leadership of founders Juice and Leo.
That same year, the Furious Rockers established their Providence chapter with members from the Manton Projects area such as Eddie Ed (2-Spin) and Doc Rock.
Together with other early dancers and crews, they helped lay the foundation for Rhode Island’s first generation of breaking pioneers.
1982: Return to Burn Emerges
Return to Burn (RTB) formed in Providence, contributing to the continued growth of the local hip-hop scene.
By this time, local crews were developing their own identities, rivalries, alliances, and connections throughout the New England breaking circuit.
1983–1984: International Recognition
The Furious Rockers traveled to Italy and participated in international battles, reflecting the growing reach of the breaking movement and the expanding influence of pioneering crews beyond the United States.
Return to Burn (RTB): Another prominent Rhode Island Pioneer crew
Formation and Early History
Return to Burn (RTB) is a pioneering Rhode Island breakdance crew established in Providence in 1982.
The crew is widely recognized as one of the foundational pillars of early New England hip-hop history.
RTB emerged during the first wave of mainstream breaking, alongside other early Providence crews, including:
Top Master Crew (TMC) — established in 1981
Furious Rockers — Providence chapter established in 1981
RTB — identified with the early Providence breaking scene around 1982 including members Norman “Nolie” Delgado, “Carlos “Kooli D” Diaz, Paris Fisher, Mark Fisher, Magic Glove, and many others.
As the local movement developed, these crews helped shape the culture of competitive breaking, street dance, and hip-hop in Rhode Island.
Norman “Nolie” Delgado: A Powerful Providence B-Boy
One standout figure frequently remembered in conversations about Rhode Island’s early breaking scene is Nolie.
Nolie was regarded by many as one of the most powerful breakers to emerge from Providence, Rhode Island.
He was among the early dancers known for performing advanced power moves, including continuous headspins, air tracks, and an impressive range of windmills.
His athletic ability and technical skills made him a memorable figure in the regional breaking community.
Nolie also maintained connections with Boston’s Floor Lords and frequently danced with members of the crew.
His influence remains part of the oral history surrounding the early New England breaking scene.
After returning home from a period of incarceration, Nolie passed away in April 2017 following a coma. His passing was a significant loss to those who knew him and remembered his contributions to the culture.
RTB During the 1990’s
Throughout the 1990s, Return to Burn maintained an active and respected presence in Rhode Island’s hip-hop scene.
The crew established a strong regional footprint and collaborated with other local pioneers, including members of the 401 Rockerz.
RTB’s continued activity helped connect the first generation of Providence breakers with later generations, preserving the local culture as hip-hop evolved.
Around 1996, Paris Fisher, along with his brother Mark Fisher, attempted to revive the legacy of Return to Burn (RTB) by bringing together a new generation of local teenage breakers. Many of these young dancers at the time attended Feinstein High School on Providence’s South Side, where they crossed paths with Daddy Long Leggs and other dancers from the local hip-hop community. The existing breakin’ crew originally called “The chaps crew'“ was repurposed into this 90’s RTB roster.
Taking these young dancers under their wing, Paris and Mark helped usher in a new, 1990s-era generation of Return to Burn, carrying the crew’s name and legacy forward.
Some members of this generation included Luis “Boogie-Lou” Rivera, Ralphy Martinez, Pedro “Near-One” Malave, Kevin Malave, Chris Pena, Jimmy Guzman, Vinny T, Joel “Tapia” Rosario, and several female dancers, including Patty Delgado, Jenny Hernandez, and Marlene Hernandez.
This revival represented an important chapter in RTB’s history, connecting the pioneering generation of Rhode Island breakers with a younger wave of dancers who helped keep the local breaking scene alive throughout the 1990s.
Cinematic Appearance: Tax Day (1997)
Several members of RTB’s 1990s roster along side the 401 Rockerz appeared in the 1997 independent film Tax Day.
The film captured glimpses of the Providence street dance community and helped preserve a visual record of the local culture during that period.
For those interested in Rhode Island’s hip-hop history, these appearances offer another connection to the dancers and crews who helped define the scene.
Notable Rhode Island Battles of the 1980’s
The 1980s featured several high-profile battles between pioneering Rhode Island crews. Stories of these encounters remain part of the community’s oral history.
Two particularly memorable matchups involved:
Furious Rockers vs. Top Master Crew (TMC)
Top Master Crew (TMC) vs. Return to Burn (RTB)
Both matchups are associated with battles at United Skates of America, the roller-skating rink in Rumford, East Providence, Rhode Island.
These encounters reflected the competitive spirit of the early Providence breaking scene, when crews tested their skills, defended their reputations, and helped establish the standards of local street dance.
Stories about these battles have continued to circulate among dancers and community members. Historical flyers documenting some of these events can also be found on social media, providing additional material for those researching Rhode Island’s early hip-hop era.
Preserving Rhode Island’s Hip-Hop Legacy
The histories of Top Master Crew, the Furious Rockers, and Return to Burn represent an important chapter in the development of hip-hop and breaking in Rhode Island.
These pioneering crews helped establish the foundations of a culture that extended from Providence and the surrounding communities to Boston, New York City, and beyond.
Through their battles, friendships, regional rivalries, and connections with nationally recognized pioneers, these dancers helped shape the identity of Rhode Island’s early hip-hop movement.
Their stories also demonstrate the importance of preserving oral histories, photographs, flyers, film appearances, and firsthand accounts from the people who experienced the era.
The legacy of these crews lives on through the dancers who carried the culture forward and the community members who continue to share their stories with new generations.
Respect to the pioneers of Rhode Island hip-hop, breaking, and street dance. Their contributions remain an essential part of the Ocean State’s cultural history.