Many styles from the hood are birthed in the belly of the beast. Some, like niggas wearing jeans below their asses, should remain behind bars. Others, like the legendary 52 Blocks, may give you the upper hand in a brawl. The 52 Blocks is a defense-minded martial art developed in U.S. prisons many moons ago; inmates are credited with its creation. This unorthodox fighting technique is somewhat of an urban myth as its existence has been heavily debated. But Mike Tyson and Zab Judah not only confirm its reality, many of their own pugilistic moves allegedly incorporate the 52s. Wu-Tang members have mentioned the 52s numerous times in their songs, like Raekwon did on “Severe Punishment” (“Twist the DAC up, them niggaz with math is back up/Watch he act up, fifty-two block track we slap up”). Another reputed practitioner of the martial art is ex-inmate and current MMA fighter Kimbo Slice.
My man Lyte Burly, streetwise rapper and professional ass-whupper, is a well-known 52 Blocks specialist. How he learned is none of your business. But what I can tell you is that Mr. Burly has three DVDs available that reveal the secrets of the 52 Blocks. The popular trio of documentaries, simply titled 52 Blocks Vol. 1-3, is full of interviews with experts detailing “America’s only native martial art.” Kool G. Rap, perhaps the greatest lyricist to ever pick up a mic, makes an appearance in the third flick. The DVDs also contain instructional segments that can teach you the secrets of penitentiary pugilism.
From NYC to Cali, many challengers have knuckled-up with Lyte Burly to test the validity of the 52s. After getting their asses handed to them in public, they’re pretty much convinced that the 52s work wonders. Some of these dust-ups have been posted to YouTube for the world to enjoy. Both Mr. Burly and I have busy schedules but at some point we’ll hook up for an interview so he can explain this fighting style to you. Until then, enjoy the instructional videos and fights posted below. Learn the infamous “Skull & Crossbones,” a pretty basic move that is a foundation of the art. Lyte discusses Kimbo Slice’s use of the 52s, then travels to Cali where he goes toe-to-toe with a few Crips. Also included is the official 52 Blocks music video; Lyte Burly is just as formidable with the verses as he is with his fists. Plus the beat knocks. Head south and prepare for combat.
Links of interest:
Dope! Some new methods to put a whuppin on these froggy frat dudes in front of their girls
LOL!!! you’re a bully, man.
but while you’re at it, throw one of their girls over your shoulder & take off with her.
Wow, I always knew that Shallah was spittin knowledge. But I thought it was on some godbody tip. What?! That is crazy. Niggaz need to stop fucking around and put me on! LOL
Yo, Pacino! My dude, keep doin it. The shit you post is golden!
on the real… i appreciate that, rawsee. i’m glad you dig the posts & i’m glad to have your company. dudes like yourself are intelligent & gully enuff to pick up on certain things, so we all vibe.
actually, the first dudes i saw in the hood doin the 52s were godbody cats, so you ain’t too far off. we was kids watchin’ these niggaz doin all kinds of wild shit with they hands while they fought. we wuz like “what the fuck?” LOL but it looked real cool, tho. at that time i ain’t know it was a formulated style. we would try but it was a cheap imitation, like illseed’s “booty battle.”
lyte knows his stuff, tho.
A question if I may. Is this the same martial arts style demonstrated in Dead Prez’s “Hip Hop” video?
Peep Dread @ 2:19
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jNyr6BJZuI
(I lost my comments that I typed earlier…)
BP,
Is this a dedicated fighting style, or something ceremonial, like capoeira? Lyte Burly looks like he’s either enjoying himself, taking it easy, or overqualified for his opponents. In the first video he definitely shows skill and knowledge… The Skull and Crossbones is crazy. I’ll keep an eye out in NYC to see who’s doing it
Scott
capoeira is more well known but that’s a good comparison. there was a time when practitioners of capoeira had to defend it’s validity as a martial art. whenever it’s a martial art with black roots it’s gotta go thru hell & high water to get legitimized. hmmm… sense a pattern here? then again, it’s origins are shrouded in mystery. lyte burly is about to publish a book on the 52s.
if you really look at mike tyson’s early fights closely, you can see him doin a few of those moves. his fights were so damn quick, tho, if you blink you’ll miss ‘em LOL
yeah, i think lyte burly enjoys what he does.
here’s some 52 blocks trivia i found on wikipedia, if you’re curious:
“The style is featured in an issue of the Punisher comic book during the 1980s.”
“Mel Gibson trained in JHR (Jail House Rock a.k.a. 52 blocks) under Dennis Newsome in the 1987 movie Lethal Weapon. The arts are listed in the credits at the end of the film. Gary Busey also makes reference to the martial art in an episode of his show I’m With Busey, speaking of it in conjunction with other martial arts involved in the training for Lethal Weapon.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jailhouse_rock_(fighting_style)
Aah, that’s some interesting facts! And, yes, Iron Mike’s early fights do show an unusually close resemblance. Even though training in the Catskills with Cus, some of Mike’s movements were definitely too “street” to have come from Cus and his camp. I’m sure there was a little extra-curricular study going on LOL.
And in Punisher? Wow, this stuff is deep, after all. It’s attracted the attention of the “in” crowd among the entertainment big wigs.
Good article. Thx for posting.
I’m gonna pickup those dvds and let Teo train for life in school with them.
word.
the 52 blocks CAN be used to extract lunch money from other students.
he may be new to school, but with the 52s teo can go old school. get medieval on their asses.
Whoa, I thought it was just gonna post a link to the vid, didn’t know that the whole vid would embed from the link being posted. Apologies
don’t stress that, bruh. it’s actually better embedded. then we can watch it right here & now.
you’ve brought up a very interesting question. i’m really not sure if they’re doing the 52s. to me, it looks more like capoeira but i’m no expert. that’s a great question to ask lyte (or sticman, for that matter) next time i see him in the hood or for our interview.
thanks for sharing, rawsee.
the 52s ummmmmm interesting……
you already know how to whup ass, i’m sure.
maybe you can add a few moves to your arsenal. use them when you jump on kurious jorge & tackle him LOL
i am so proud to announce thisa article made it to global grind…. aww my baby added global grind to his supreme arsenal…..
you say that about jorge like i’m a man eater lol
You’re a Thirst Mobette, Ruby.
If ya’all are anything like the Thirst Mob you use tactics that are borderline-harassment.
*sigh* What happened to the good ol’ days when you could just club a chick over the head, grab her hair & drag her to your cave?
Good post and article Bro!
The legendary art said to have secret weapon of prisoners going back to MOTHER DEAR is now coming into the forefront The blocks or as its been known in Hollywood “the jail house rock” has been around for decades in various forms.some old school jail cats used to refer to it as “the combinate”. I myself have used block elements for years and had the honor of training with a serious block / combo specialist 2 years ago (shout out to Big Pete of the “ninja turtles”!).
Your now starting to see elements of this style in movies like the new BATMAN films (mixed into the KEYSI fighting method) and the 5TH COMMANDMENT.
Our man Mo (Mauricio) gave a one of the most stellar block worthy elbow shots to a cat that’s still talked about today.
For those that want to go past the fist to weapons pick up a copy of
“Put ‘Em Down, Take ‘Em Out!”.
I consider this book the bible.its saved me on a couple of occasions
stay up BP!
Whassup, Claydog? This post is bringin out the goon squad LOL
I’m glad a seasoned vet like yourself gives this a nod of approval, big homie. I’ve heard the 52s referred to as “Jail House Rock” but never “The Combinate.” You just schooled me. If they helped you out they must be good as gold.
“Put ‘Em Down, Take ‘Em Out.” Now that’s a title that gets right to the point. That book must be 1 page LOL
I looked up the book on Amazon. “Knife Fighting Techniques From Folsom Prison,” eh? That may come in handy in the club.
Good lookin’ out, Claydog.
PUT ‘EM DOWN, TAKE ‘EM OUT REVIEW:
http://defendyourself101.ca/reviews/put-em-down-take-em-out-knife-fighting-techniques-folsom-prison
im gonna knock a nigga out today!!!!!!…lol..BROOKLYN!!!
LMAO!!!!
you’s a wild boy.