Museum Recognition
Willie “Marine Boy” Estrada’s story is featured in the acclaimed Urban Stomp exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York. The exhibit documents the vibrant history of New York City’s dance cultures and highlights the pivotal role of Puerto Rican youth in transforming the South Bronx during the 1970s.
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Through his work with the Imperial Bachelors, Estrada helped pioneer the Latin Hustle, turning gang spaces into dance floors and introducing peace to the Bronx at a time of great violence and upheaval. His personal archives and family history are showcased in the museum, offering visitors an authentic view of the culture that laid the foundation for a global movement.
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The Museum of the City of New York recognizes Estrada not only as a cultural pioneer but also as a historian, author, and filmmaker whose memoir, The Dancing Gangsters of the South Bronx, preserves these untold stories for future generations.
Book on Sale at the Museum
Honored by the Museum of the City of New York
In March 2024, Willie Estrada was invited by curators Dr. Derrick Washington and Dr. Sarah Henry of the Museum of the City of New York to serve as an advisor for its landmark year-long exhibition, Urban Stomp. Currently on view, the exhibition has garnered outstanding recognition for its ability to capture and enthrall audiences, offering an authentic glimpse into the cultural movements that reshaped the South Bronx in the 1970s. Estrada’s participation has been central to its success, as he provided not only his expertise and guidance, but also contributed deeply personal materials that bring the history to life. Among his contributions are rare artifacts, family photographs, film footage, and, perhaps most strikingly, his Imperial Bachelors gang colors, which have been loaned to the museum for the very first time. These objects serve as powerful reminders of a turbulent era, illustrating how music and dance, through the Latin Hustle and Rock, helped these dance cultures emerge as alternatives to violence. Estrada’s role in Urban Stomp solidifies his legacy as both a witness and a shaper of history, ensuring that the voices and experiences of his generation are preserved with dignity for future generations to come.
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I wouldn't have had all my father's 8mm films digitized if not for Dr. Steven Payne, the Director of the Bronx Historical Society, pictured below with me. We have been working together for many years and are now on the brink of developing a new exhibition for 2026. Stay Tuned.
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​The Urban Stomp Exhibition is on display until February 22, 2026
1220 Firth Ave at 103rd St., NY, NY 10029
Legacy on Display 2025-26
Members of The Imperial Bachelors
Dr. Steven Payne and Willie Estrada. We have the receipts and the 8mm films digitized by the Bronx Historical Society
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