Hip Hop Forever Stamps

Value: 78¢ – 1-ounce First-Class Rate (Forever)
Issue Date: July 1, 2020
First Day City: New York, NY
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Pane of 20

Born in the streets of New York in the 1970s, breaking—also known as breakdancing—turned music into movement, blending rhythm, strength, and style into an electrifying art form. Pioneered by DJs like Kool Herc, who looped the “breaks” of songs to create extended dance beats, breaking gave b-boys and b-girls a stage to showcase gravity-defying creativity.

Drawing inspiration from martial arts, gymnastics, the lindy hop, and disco, breakers developed four primary move categories:

• Toprock – upright steps that set the rhythm and style,

• Downrock – floorwork using hands and feet in intricate patterns,

• Power moves – dynamic spins and flips fueled by upper-body strength,

• Freezes – dramatic, motion-stopping poses that hold the body in midair, often on a single hand.

Once confined to street corners, block parties, and underground battles, breaking has since reached global stages, inspiring films, TV shows, and international competitions. Its combination of athleticism, artistry, and cultural influence has cemented breaking as a defining element of hip-hop culture—and an enduring symbol of creative expression.