Whether as a filmmaker, a VJ, or an artist, Fab 5 Freddy has played an integral role in Hip-Hop culture since the early 1980s, and even before. A New York icon, Freddy connected the Downtown art and Punk scenes of the 1980s with the Hip-Hop musical movement of The Bronx, Harlem, and even the outer boroughs. This was chronicled in Wild Style, a film Fab 5 was deeply involved in.

By the late ’80s, Freddy lent his talents to MTV as the first host of “Yo! MTV Raps,” in addition to groundbreaking music video work, gallery curation, and a host of other ventures.

On this past week’s, Live From HeadQcourterz radio show (November 21), DJ Premier had on Fab 5 Freddy, Check The Technique author Brian Coleman, and PRhyme role-player/producer Adrian Younge. At one point, Preemo brought out the Wild Style Breakbeats, a dose of Blondie, some personal samples, and a lot of skill to honor Fred—who directed Gang Starr’s “Just To Get A Rep” video 23-some years ago…

Oh, and if you like what you hear, the Wild Style Breakbeats were just re-released in box-set form.

As a bonus…AFH was told that Fab 5 shot the above video himself. How real is that?

Related: Wild Style (Video)