Frost Flow


	words by Heather Brissenden images by Steve Uhraney

	It’s a chilly Saturday in Toronto’s fashion district when Goodlife Magazine catches up with Mississauga’s international award-winning performer, instructor, Hip-Hop advocate and community worker, Frost Flow. In an unsuspecting alley off Queen Street West, Toronto, our magical Hip-Hop jam and photo shoot takes place. Against a backdrop of graffiti art, Marcel DaCosta (who goes by the moniker Frost Flow), demonstrates his unbelievable B-Boy skills. We are not alone as several Torontonians stop in astonishment to watch this impromptu performance. One man is so inspired by our early morning throw-down that he begins to sing a reggae tune. But this is not surprising, as Frost is known to have that effect on people. He inspires. In fact, he has cultivated a career for himself by inspiring at-risk youth, adults and kids while teaching life lessons through Hip-Hop culture. He explains, “Hip-Hop is all about peace, love, unity and having fun. Teaching these fundamentals is the main motivation behind the work that I do. I’m focused on using art as a community development tool and I feel so blessed and fortunate to leave a positive effect on my community.” Yes, he really talks that way! As a performer, he has garnered international attention as one of the nation’s leading Hip-Hop artists and advocates. In 2009 alone, he taught moves to Governor General Michelle Jean at the Global Youth Assembly held in Edmonton, battled and won alongside world-champions All Area Crew at an international freestyle competition in Kawasaki, Japan and was awarded with the “Social Justice through the Arts Award” by Mississauga’s legendary Mayor Hazel McCallion. In Ottawa, he beat 32 Canadian B-Boy competitors and was named champion of the National Cipher Competition. In conjunction with the City of Mississauga, he also organized a successful Urban Arts Festival held in August ’09. This of course, is mentioning only a few of the numerous accolades achieved by this impressive young man. Truth be told, the call to public service came early for Frost. Born to a supportive family hailing from San Miguel, Portugal, he was raised in Mississauga where he attended Philip Pocock S.S. At the tender age of 17, he founded Ground illusionz, which is now the city’s foremost B-Boy dance crew. Ground illusionz has become a source of leaders, instructors and advocates for Hip-Hop culture with a mission to educate and inspire youth of all ages through workshops, performances and public and private sessions. In March 2009, viewers from across Canada witnessed history in the making as Ground illusionz won Much Music’s prestigious 3 Kings B-Boy battle. “It’s like a family in a nutshell.” Frost explains, “We’re almost like scouts. We’re training the next generation of B-Boys and B-Girls to think critically. Ground illusionz encompasses dancers, musicians, designers, graphic artists, etc. We meet three times a week and teach our members to become self-sufficient so they can carry on as leaders and become Canada’s next generation of Hip-Hop ambassadors.” Not only does Frost’s work leave a positive effect on our community, but on numerous Canadian communities as well. Several months of the year he travels throughout the Canadian north as a community worker with “Blue Print For Life”. Founded by famous Canadian B-Boy Stephen Leafloor aka Buddha, Blue Print For Life runs “Social Work through Hip-Hop” programs with stops in Nunavut, Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay and Yellowknife, to name just a few of its distant locations. Often Blue Print For Life becomes the school curriculum for the entire week in at risk communities. The organization works with hundreds of children, teens and adults, empowering them with wisdom to lead healthy lives while touching on sensitive issues including substance abuse, drug and suicide prevention and sexual abuse. Many times elders get involved, collaborating with Blue Print For Life by mixing their traditional aboriginal throat singing and drum dancing with Hip-Hop performances, making it a truly memorable experience for the entire community. Frost explains, “I love this work because it’s fun, challenging, real and keeps me mentally fresh, always striving for originality that can be applied to any other interest. This culture and style has literally given me a blue print for life, an international community of friends, the opportunity to inspire and become inspired through identity and love. I’m fortunate to leave a mark in my community that will last for generations, what more can a human ask for?” For more on Frost Flow and Ground illusionz, visit groundillusionz.ca GL		Mississauga’s Premier B-Boy Frost Flow teaches life lessons through Hip-Hop Culture “I’m focused on using art as a community development tool and I feel so blessed and fortunate to leave a positive effect on my community.”