MGM has finally released Breakin', Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo and Beat Street as a boxed set. This treo of classic films from 1984 document early hip hop's beginnings through its music and dance. They may seem a bit dated, and life was certainly simpler without the wars, the bling and the money, but these films have their time and place in our cultural and musical history. Look closely and you'll see Jean-Claude van Damme workin' it in a bikini at the beach in Breakin', and appearances by Melle Mel, Doug E Fresh, Kool Moe Dee, the Rocksteady Crew, Jazzy Jeff, and Arthur Baker in Beat Street. The set is available from Amazon (next week).