Category Archives: MK HIP HOP CULTURE PART 1 (1980 – 1990)

This section aims to document participants and projects related to the Hip Hop Culture that evolved in and around the Milton Keynes during the time period between 1980 – 1990.

Task One

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Task 1 was a graffiti artists that formed part of Buckingham\Milton Keynes Hip Hop collective The Criminal Minds (TCM) and during the late 1980s created several murals in and around Buckingham helping establish TCM as one of a small number of pioneering local graffiti crews. In 1990 Task 1 along with several other members of the TCM posse became one of the first writers to piece the Milton Keynes trainline.

“Task” by Task 1 – Buckingham, 1990.

The above “Task” mural was painted on the side of a derelict building located in Buckingham around 1990 and remained visible for several years until the building was eventually demolished. The image displayed below features tags by TCM members Task 1 and Sin 1 created around 1990 and was captured several years later along the Milton Keynes railway line.

“Task 1 and Sin 1” tags – Milton Keynes,1990. Continue reading →

Rolek One Interview

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Breaktothebeat recently had the opportunity to interview pioneering Milton Keynes B-Boy and Graffiti artist Rolek One. Rolek One was a member of the Asiatic Soul break-dance crew during the 1980’s and gained recognition on the local Hip Hop scene before going on to represent Milton Keynes at several national events. Rolek One also contributed to and helped pioneer an emerging local graffiti art scene in Milton Keynes during UK Hip Hop’s early years. Rolek One’s foundation in Hip Hop culture has allowed him to apply his talents to a number of creative outlets such as flyer designs, murals and metallic sculptures. 

“Rolek metallic sculpture” by Rolek One, 2019.

Taking things right back to the start could you tell the readers how you discovered Hip Hop music and culture?

In 1983 I visit my dad in USA and saw Style Wars the graffiti documentary, I had already been listening to my mum’s Sugar Hill Gang 7 inch single and Kraftwerk album (cool mum) at home so had started catching the B-Boy bug already.

“Style Wars” documentary trailer – Public Art Films, 1983.

I started writing ‘DEMO’ in Fishermead then Old Brook then outwards throughout MK, soon after I change to ‘DIME’ and then ‘MONDO’! mostly tags and silver and colour pieces/throw ups. My main competition was the NF and skinhead shite they used to paint on the underpasses. Very occasionally I would see another tag, always other random writers out of their territory on tour. Continue reading →

Asiatic Soul

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The Asiatic Soul break dance crew formed in Milton Keynes during the early 1980s and consisted of Farhan Sheik, Kalpesh, Kamal, John Waden, Raymond, Mixmaster MSC and Rolek One. Asiatic Soul frequently performed in an area known as City square located in Central Milton Keynes which was eventually developed in to the shopping complex currently inhabited by Marks & Spenser.

Asiatic Soul – Milton Keynes, 1980s.

Asiatic Soul formed while attending Woughton school (now know as MK Academy) and were one of several Hip Hop crews to emerge as the newly established city of Milton Keynes began to be populated. The below quote is taken from an interview conducted with break-dancer and DJ Mixmaster MSC who describes the formation of the collective: Continue reading →