Adolfo Quiñones – aka Shabba-Doo, star of breakdancing Breakin’ and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo – has died aged 65.

Toni Basil, who co-founded The Lockers, a crew which helped popularise street dance in the 1970s, along with Quiñones and others, shared news of his friend’s death on social media this afternoon (December 30).

“It is with extreme sadness The Lockers family announces the unexpected passing of our beloved Adolfo Shabba-Doo Quiñones,” Basil tweeted. “In this difficult time we are requesting privacy.” A cause of death has not yet been revealed.

pic.twitter.com/ogJ7T1HE8K

— Toni Basil (@Toni_Basil) December 30, 2020

A Chicago native, Quiñones was an innovator of the dance style that went on to be known as ‘locking’. He played Ozone in the hit breakdancing films Breakin’ and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo, which were both released in 1984.

In addition to his film and TV work, Quiñones also served as a choreographer to the likes of Lionel Richie, Madonna, and Luther Vandross. He was a primary dancer and main choreographer on Madonna’s ‘Who’s That Girl?’ tour in 1987.

Tributes have begun to pour in for Quiñones online. “I just lost ANOTHER close friend… SHABBA-DO,” Ice-T wrote, sharing a video compilation of Quiñones dancing. “LA dance legend. You may know from the Breakin Movies.. Has passed away… FF**K 2020 SHABBA-DOO MONTAGE.”

Sheila E said: “I just heard I’ve lost another friend Shabba doo. A great Hiphop dancer. We toured together w/ Lionel Richie 1983. Gosh, Rest In Peace my brother. @officialshabbadoo @Shabba_Doo.”

I just lost ANOTHER close friend… SHABBA-DO. LA dance legend. You may know from the Breakin Movies.. Has passed away… FFUCK 2020 SHABBA-DOO MONTAGE https://t.co/x57MVFwV90

— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) December 30, 2020

I just heard I’ve lost another friend Shabba do. A great Hiphop dancer. We toured together w/ Lionel Richie 1983. Gosh, Rest In Peace my brother. @officialshabbadoo @Shabba_Doo pic.twitter.com/YntRWT1t55

— SheilaEdrummer (@SheilaEdrummer) December 30, 2020

White Men Can’t Jump actor Rosie Perez wrote: “No!! #AdolfoQuinones aka #ShabbaDoo A dance #Legend lost! A true dance pioneer! I’m so saddened by this news and I’m so very sorry Toni for your loss, the #Lockers, his loved ones and especially his family! Stay safe.”

“Rest in Peace! Thank you for inspiring me to lock,” added Miles Brown, star of hit TV show Black-ish.

No!! #AdolfoQuinones aka #ShabbaDoo A dance #Legend lost! A true dance pioneer! I’m so saddened by this news and I’m so very sorry Toni for your loss, the #Lockers, his loved ones and especially his family! Stay safe. ❤️❤️❤️. #SoulTrain #ElectricBoogaloo #HipHop #LEGENDARY https://t.co/coNS07aT1R

— Rosie Perez (@rosieperezbklyn) December 30, 2020

Rest in Peace! Thank you for inspiring me to lock? #ShabbaDoo pic.twitter.com/HygyIk3Vuv

— Miles Brown (@MilesBrown) December 30, 2020

See more tributes to Adolfo Quiñones below:

RIP Shabbadoo!!! This hip hop breakdancer appeared in the 1974 hip hop movie #Breakin and Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo. Prayers and condolences to the family! Man!!! ❤️?? #Shabbadoo #ImAPioneer pic.twitter.com/FEQq5YytIv

— MC Debbie D (@MCDebbieD) December 30, 2020

Sad to hear of “Shabba-Doo” and his passing…he brought so much to the dance culture, an inspiration to many, myself included…#TheLockers #ShabbaDoo #Breakin #ElectricBoogaloo #Ozone #AdolfoQuinones pic.twitter.com/dyiezwutHQ

— Mario Lopez (@mariolopezviva) December 30, 2020

Sad to hear of the passing of #ShabbaDoo

Thank you so much for your talent and the incredible memories of watching you do ur thing when I was a youngster.

All the prayers to his family and loved ones.

Rest in all the Power, Peace & Positivity the wind brings

????#Pioneer pic.twitter.com/lNcr72jVdU

— THEO (@Theorossi) December 30, 2020

– Oh, no! ??? #RIP #ShabbaDoo ??? https://t.co/GjJTORR3if

— loripetty (@loripetty) December 30, 2020

Adolfo Quiñones, the breakdancer and actor in the two Breakin' movies of the 1980s, known as Shabba-Doo has died. He was 65.
He also worked with Frank Sinatra, Bette Midler, Madonna and Three 6 Mafia, and named "hip-hop's first matinee idol" by Dance Magazine. pic.twitter.com/PI7DJRhjsu

— Eric Alper ? (@ThatEricAlper) December 30, 2020

Breakin' and Breakin' 2 were two of my favorite movies growing up mostly because of his work and choreography…

Rest in Power Adolfo "Shabba Doo" Quinones https://t.co/p2p68U744u

— Angélique Roché (@AngeliqueRoche) December 30, 2020