Exclusive Interviews · From the DMM Archive
Michael “Boogaloo Shrimp” Chambers: A Cultural Dance Icon — The DMM Exclusive
In June 2013, Turbo from Breakin’ came to New York to teach. Dance Mogul Magazine was there with cameras, a microphone and a mission: honor those who came before us and pass their knowledge to the next generation.
By Dance Mogul Magazine · Originally published June 20, 2013 · Updated October 8, 2026
New · The Legacy Feature
Read the complete story of Boogaloo Shrimp—the pier, Breakin’, MC Skat Kat, “Do the Bartman,” the $53.8 million box office and what his career means for today’s dancers.
Read “The Turbo Who Proved What a Dancer’s Imagination Is Worth” →
File // At a Glance
Name — Michael “Boogaloo Shrimp” Chambers
Born — November 13, 1967, Wilmington, California
Known For — Turbo in Breakin’ and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984)
Styles — Popping, boogaloo, robot, “liquid animation”
DMM Visit — Workshop at Broadway Dance Center, June 16, 2013
DMM Videos — Three archive videos from the 2013 exclusive (below)
16
His age filming Breakin’
$53.8M
U.S. box office, both films
3
DMM archive videos
13+
Years in the DMM archive
Who Is Boogaloo Shrimp?
Michael “Boogaloo Shrimp” Chambers (born November 13, 1967) is an American dancer and actor known for his role as “Turbo” in the 1984 cult classic Breakin’ and its hit sequel, Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo. In both movies he is credited as Boogaloo Shrimp, a name that remains inseparable from the Hollywood era of popping, boogaloo and robot dancing, and from the freestyle art of b-boying that audiences met alongside it. During the height of those films, he and other dancers from the cast were featured in Chaka Khan’s “I Feel for You” video and many other Hollywood projects.
He later became the dancer behind MC Skat Kat in Paula Abdul’s Grammy-winning “Opposites Attract,” choreographed Bart Simpson’s moves in “Do the Bartman,” and played robots on screen in Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey and Family Matters. The full story lives in our Boogaloo Shrimp Legacy Feature.
The 2013 Exclusive
Dance Mogul Magazine honoring those that came before us, preserving our culture by giving a voice to those that made a way for us to succeed, bridging the generational gap of the arts with education, fitting right in line with our purpose of “Inspiring Self Empowerment.” We had the chance to get an exclusive with the one and only Michael “Boogaloo Shrimp” Chambers, also known as Turbo from the box-office dance phenomenon Breakin’.
DMM Exclusive Interview · Video 1
With an extensive resume and a positive reputation that Michael has built over the years, he is now ready to share his knowledge with the youth and inspire them to take dance to the next level.
“That let me know that I could earn a living with my talent.”
Michael Chambers, on dancing for tips at the Redondo Beach Pier (LA Weekly, 2015)
From the DMM Archive · Video 2
Why That Workshop Mattered
The room at Broadway Dance Center was a snapshot of living history: a West Coast pioneer of popping and animation teaching New York dancers, surrounded by figures from hip-hop, locking and pop culture. For students, it was a chance to learn directly from the dancer whose broom routine and ceiling dance had taught a generation through VHS. For DMM, it was exactly the kind of bridge between generations our mission was built to create.
From the DMM Archive · Video 3
Career Timeline & Resume
This timeline keeps every credit from the resume DMM published in 2013 and adds verified milestones since.
1983
Breakin’ ’N’ Enterin’ (documentary); Lionel Richie, “All Night Long” video.
1984
Breakin’ — Turbo / Tony; Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo — Turbo (both as Michael ‘Boogaloo Shrimp’ Chambers); Chaka Khan, “I Feel for You.”
1986
Star Search (Episode #3.20) — himself, dance challenger.
1987–1988
The Dom DeLuise Show — Michael Chambers.
1989
Paula Abdul, “Opposites Attract” — movement for MC Skat Kat; the video won the 1991 Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form.
1990
“Do the Bartman” (TV short) — choreographer; the single went No. 1 in the U.K. in 1991.
1990–1991
Fox’s Fun House — M.C. Mike, announcer (8 episodes).
1991
Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey — Good Robot Bill.
1991–1994
Family Matters — Urkelbot / Emile: “Ice Station Winslow” (1991), “Robo-Nerd” (1991), “Robo-Nerd II” (1992), “The Psycho Twins” (1994); robot choreographer on both “Robo-Nerd” episodes.
1994
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult — dancer.
1995
Casper — animation department, ghost movement references.
1999
Dudley Do-Right — dancer.
2010
Jimmy Kimmel Live! (“Aloha to Lost”) — himself; Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy — archive footage.
2013
I Got Soul (short) — voice of James Brown; Broadway Dance Center workshop and DMM exclusive (June).
2018–2019
Groove Street — Shrimp; The Boogaloo Shrimp Documentary (dir. Taylor Golonka).
SEPT 24, 2026
42nd-anniversary Breakin’ 2 screening and Q&A with director Sam Firstenberg, The Frida Cinema, Santa Ana.
Where Is Boogaloo Shrimp Now?
Thirteen years after this interview, Chambers is still teaching through his story. His life was documented in The Boogaloo Shrimp Documentary (2019), released for the 35th anniversary of both Breakin’ films. He has spoken at USC’s Thornton School of Music, Santa Monica College and the University of Redlands, and on September 24, 2026, he joined director Sam Firstenberg for a 42nd-anniversary Breakin’ 2 screening and live Q&A at The Frida Cinema in Santa Ana, California.
What the Next Generation Should Learn
Boogaloo Shrimp had no studio and no money for classes. He studied stop-motion films and street dancers, built his own language, got paid on a pier before Hollywood called, and adapted when the industry moved on. When he finally choreographed “Do the Bartman,” he made sure his name was on it. Build your craft, know your history, protect your credit and share what you know.
Why It Matters to DMM
This interview is part of DMM’s original oral-history archive. We documented Michael Chambers while he was actively teaching, long before museums and the Olympics embraced street dance. It belongs beside our features on Shock-a-Lock, Darrin Dewitt Henson and Mr. Wiggles, and in The Legacy.
FAQ
Who played Turbo in Breakin’?
Michael “Boogaloo Shrimp” Chambers played Turbo in Breakin’ and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo, both released in 1984.
When did Dance Mogul Magazine interview Boogaloo Shrimp?
In June 2013, around his June 16 workshop at Broadway Dance Center in New York; the feature was published June 20, 2013.
Where can I read his full story?
In DMM’s Boogaloo Shrimp Legacy Feature, with box-office data, timeline and his impact on the dance economy.
Continue Your Journey
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