His longtime friend and former dance mate of the group The Original Lockers, Toni Basil, made the announcement on Twitter.
“It is with extreme sadness The Lockers family announces the unexpected passing of our beloved Adolfo Shabba-Doo Quiñones,” she announced.
Known as the Godfather of Street Dance, Shabba-Doo was an actor, dancer, and choreographer perhaps best known for his role as Orlando “Ozone” in the 1984 hit cult breakdancing film Breakin’ and the sequel, Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo.
CHICAGO – OCTOBER 1985: Dancers Boogaloo Shrimp and Shabbadoo performs at the U.I.C. Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois in October1985. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
“Good new y’all! I’m feeling all better. I’m just a wee bit sluggish from my cold, but the good news is I’m COVID-19 negative! Woo hoo,” the actor captioned under the post. “I awoke this morning to a gift from my pal, George ‘DJ 360MIX’ Jett! Thanks man! Anyway, I’m excited lots of catching up to do. Let’s gooo! Thank you to everyone for your kind, sweet, and loving get well wishes and thoughts. Oh, I didn’t sleep in my beanie and glasses, lol, I donned them cause my vanity kicked in and didn’t want you to see my bed head, and crusty eyes, haha… Have a great day peeps.”
Shabba-Doo had been battling cold-like symptoms for a few days. In another post he told his fans that his doctor advised him to undergo a third COVID-19 test.
“After my doctor visit and evaluation of my symptoms this morning I’ve been ordered to quarantine for 10 days and scheduled a third COVID-19 test this Thursday, December 24, 2020,” he wrote.
Ironically, days earlier, the dancer posted on the death of a fellow friend in the industry, John “Ecstasy” Fletcher from the 1980s rap group Whodini.
“R.I.P. John “Ecstasy” Fletcher of the legendary rap group Whodini,” he wrote under an image of the group. “I have nothing but fond memories of you brother, while touring the States back in the mid-1980s on the Fresh Tour!”
Fond memories indeed, the 1980s brought rap music, boom boxes, bright clothes, dance battles, and more. And, Breakin’ was a film that captured the essence of it all. Weeks before Shabba-Doo’s untimely death, his co-star and best friend in the film, Michael “Boogaloo Shrimp” Chambers, posted a throwback image of them on the set of Breakin’ alongside the late boxing legend Muhamed Ali.
Adolfo ‘Shabba-Doo’ Quiñones’ cause of death has yet to be announced. He died in his home.
Shabba Doo, 1986. (Photo by Getty Images)
