Just one week after Whodini member John “Ecstasy” Fletcher passed away, the pioneering Hip Hop community has suffered another monumental loss.
On Wednesday (December 30), DJ Premier shared an Instagram post mourning the death of Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Quiñones, better known as “Ozone” from the quintessential Hip Hop films
Breakin’ and
Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo.
“One Of Our Greatest Street Dancers/Choreographer And HIP HOP ICON and Star of the Hit Movie ‘BREAKIN’ As The Character ‘OZONE’ Has Passed,” he captioned a photo of Shabba-Doo. “R.I.P. Shabba Doo…Crazy Thing Is He Posted On IG Yesterday That He Was Feeling Better…Your Legacy Will Not Be Forgotten…@officialshabbadoo.”
In addition to his film and TV work, Quiñones also served as a choreographer to the likes of Lionel Richie, Madonna, and Luther Vandross. He was a primary dancer and main choreographer on Madonna’s ‘Who’s That Girl?’ tour in 1987.
Tributes have begun to pour in for Quiñones online. “I just lost ANOTHER close friend… SHABBA-DO,” Ice-T wrote, sharing a video compilation of Quiñones dancing. “LA dance legend. You may know from the Breakin Movies.. Has passed away… FF K 2020 SHABBA-DOO MONTAGE.”
Sheila E said: “I just heard Iâve lost another friend Shabba doo. A great Hiphop dancer. We toured together w/ Lionel Richie 1983. Gosh, Rest In Peace my brother. @officialshabbadoo @Shabba Doo.”
Breakin’ star Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Gutierrez Quiñones has passed away. He was 65.
The news erupted on Twitter as several hip hop aficionados started sharing tributes that the breakdancing impresario, who gained fame in the 1980s, had died.
Quiñones appeared in films, including
Breakin’ (1984),
Lambada (1990) and TV series
Miami Vice (1985) and
Married with Children (1990).
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Quiñones was widely recognized as one of the forefathers of hip-hop dancing. After a move to California in the 1970s, he became a part of the L.A. based dance crew The Lockers. Toni Basil, who had the 1981 hit “Mickey (You’re So Fine)” was a member of the group. She confirmed Quiñones passing on her Facebook page on Wednesday. Basil wrote: “It is with extreme sadness. The Lockers family announces the unexpected passing of our beloved Adolfo Shabba-doo Quinones.”