# 5481 - 2020 First-Class Forever Stamp - Hip Hop: B-Boy
US #5481
2020 B-Boy Dancing – Hip Hop
• One of four stamps commemorating the creativity and far-reaching influence of hip hop on the world of music
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Hip Hop
Value: 55¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: July 1, 2020
First Day City: New York, New York
Quantity Issued: 20,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Why the stamp was issued: To recognize the importance of break dancing (done be “b-boys”) to the genre of hip hop music.
About the stamp designs: Pictures a photograph of a b-boy taken by Cade Martin and accented by digital tinting (yellow, green, red, and black) to make the image appear to be in motion.
First Day City: There was no First Day of Issue Ceremony for these stamps, but the First Day of Issue Cancellation was from New York City.
About the Hip Hop set: Four stamps celebrating the legacy of hip hop music and its influence on American and world popular culture. All picture photographs taken by Cade Martin that have been accentuated by digital tinting (yellow, green, red, and black) to make them appear to be in motion.
History the stamp represents: Giving movement to the music, b-boys and b-girls (b standing for break) are talented performers who display their athleticism through impressive dance moves. These moves often seem to defy gravity.
While acrobatic street performances have been popular since the 1800s, “breaking” was born in the 1970s. DJ Kool Herc was the first to loop the rhythmic breakdown of songs, creating a beat for dancers to improvise moves to. Many dance moves were inspired by martial arts, gymnastics, the lindy hop, and disco.
Breaking generally consists of four different types of moves. Toprock refers to dance moves performed in a standing position. Downrock, also known as footwork or floorwork, involves the dancer using their hands for support as much as their feet.
Power moves are acrobatic moves in which the dancers use their upper body for support while the rest of their body creates momentum for fast and impressive movements. Finally, freezes are gravity-defying poses in which breakers suspend themselves off the ground, sometimes on just one hand. These usually mark the end of a set, but can be strung together for a dramatic display.
While breaking used to be limited to street corners and parties, it has reached mainstream popularity today. It can be seen in movies and on TV and has been the focus of dance competitions around the world.
US #5481
2020 B-Boy Dancing – Hip Hop
• One of four stamps commemorating the creativity and far-reaching influence of hip hop on the world of music
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Hip Hop
Value: 55¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: July 1, 2020
First Day City: New York, New York
Quantity Issued: 20,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Why the stamp was issued: To recognize the importance of break dancing (done be “b-boys”) to the genre of hip hop music.
About the stamp designs: Pictures a photograph of a b-boy taken by Cade Martin and accented by digital tinting (yellow, green, red, and black) to make the image appear to be in motion.
First Day City: There was no First Day of Issue Ceremony for these stamps, but the First Day of Issue Cancellation was from New York City.
About the Hip Hop set: Four stamps celebrating the legacy of hip hop music and its influence on American and world popular culture. All picture photographs taken by Cade Martin that have been accentuated by digital tinting (yellow, green, red, and black) to make them appear to be in motion.
History the stamp represents: Giving movement to the music, b-boys and b-girls (b standing for break) are talented performers who display their athleticism through impressive dance moves. These moves often seem to defy gravity.
While acrobatic street performances have been popular since the 1800s, “breaking” was born in the 1970s. DJ Kool Herc was the first to loop the rhythmic breakdown of songs, creating a beat for dancers to improvise moves to. Many dance moves were inspired by martial arts, gymnastics, the lindy hop, and disco.
Breaking generally consists of four different types of moves. Toprock refers to dance moves performed in a standing position. Downrock, also known as footwork or floorwork, involves the dancer using their hands for support as much as their feet.
Power moves are acrobatic moves in which the dancers use their upper body for support while the rest of their body creates momentum for fast and impressive movements. Finally, freezes are gravity-defying poses in which breakers suspend themselves off the ground, sometimes on just one hand. These usually mark the end of a set, but can be strung together for a dramatic display.
While breaking used to be limited to street corners and parties, it has reached mainstream popularity today. It can be seen in movies and on TV and has been the focus of dance competitions around the world.