BREAK DJ LEACY
1971-2004 RIP
by DJ Spin Doctor


In all my years of being involved in the Hip-Hop scene in the UK I have met very few people who have had a genuine talent coupled with such a down to earth attitude as Break DJ James Leacy. I was lucky enough to get to know James Leacy through our involvement in the annual UK B-Boy championships, the Urban Games and our residency at Tha Joint as part of the Funkin Pussy Sound Squad. I always found him to be open, generous, warm, and with a wicked quick wit. Few people that I have met through music do I hold with such a degree of respect and affection.

Known to most as Break DJ Leacy this man was an essential part of keeping the UK scene true to Hip-Hop culture as a whole. A true love of music, an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and a place in the B-Boy scene that can never be filled Leacy was many things to many people. With a selection of original funk, disco & boogie breaks that would put any DJ to shame Leacy was the B-Boys’ DJ of choice playing at battles all over the world. Despite a vast knowledge & collection of original tracks there was always still that illusive break that kept him hunting. At the 2003 UK B-Boy championships while most were keen to shake hands with or have photos taken with Afrika Bambaataa I saw James shamelessly humming tunes in his ear trying to obtain the names of the few tracks that still evaded him. It was this knowledge of the original building blocks of Hip-Hop that made Leacy such a special DJ. With an ear for, and two copies of, any break that had an element of funk to it Leacy was constantly dropping bombs that left every self respecting B-Boy grabbing their chance to get in the circle and show what they got. Kids were throwing down to tracks that were not only recorded before they were conceived but were part of Break DJ Leacy’s collection before they were born.

Despite playing such an integral part if the B-Boy scene in particular & Hip-Hop as a whole I always got the impression that James was there doing his thing for the love of the scene and what he had to offer it. Never driven by money or fame Break DJ Leacy was there firstly as he was the only man with all these breaks but secondly because he was willing and more than able to share the fruits of his hours of digging with the discerning heads who appreciated them. While still old school enough to cover many of his labels & keep secret many of his harder to find tracks James was also generous with his knowledge to those he deemed respectful enough of his passion & collection. I for one learnt of many tracks that I play to this day from Leacy either directly or through his Mix tapes & Breaksploitation compilations that are a must for any self respecting B-Boy or Funk collector.

While no B-Boy circle will ever be quite the same without Leacy’s driving musical force behind it I believe that every B-Boy & B-Girl that has been lucky enough to throw down while Leacy has been spinning will hold those battles with them forever no matter if they won or lost. While I will remember him every time I hear certain breaks it is not just his skills & passion as a DJ I will reminisce on. I will always hold dear the laughs and the piss taking, that can only develop between friends, for years after I have finally found many of the breaks that gave Leacy his name.

Break DJ Leacy gone but never forgotten.For a real insight into his selection and the art of Djing for B-Boys & B-Girls check any of his mixtapes that are listed below & available through www.breakstation.co.uk & loads of other sites.

Break DJ Leacy
B-Beat Vol: 1, 2 & 3
Break DJ Leacy & Skye
First Contact
Break DJ Leacy
B-Boy/B-Girl Funk
Break DJ Leacy & Nucleus
All Music Lovers
Ken Swift Presents
Break DJ Leacy’s 20th Century Rock
Break DJ Leacy Presents
Breaksploitation Vol: 1&2
For further tributes check forums etc on www.bboyworld.com www.maappeal.com & www.battleoftheyear.net