Real World Slang

This page notes real world slang that is used in Bomb Rush Cyberfunk. Some players may assume these terms were invented for the game, but in reality these are used in actual street culture. A lot of these are also specific to writers in particular.
==All City==
Going All City in general usually means becoming a very prolific writer. This is normally to the point where your graffiti is known, or at least can be found, throughout a given city.Graff Storm article on common graffiti-related terms (Archive link) It was originally used in reference to being known throughout the five boroughs of New York City, in particular by spraying graffiti onto subway cars.All City Street Art article on common graffiti-related terms (Archive link)
In the game, many of the characters aim to go All City in New Amsterdam. This becomes a major goal for the Bomb Rush Crew, especially once going All City becomes the key to helping Red get his memories back.
==B-boy==
B-boy is another term for a breakdancer, with the "B" standing for "breaking". "Breaking" as a slang term by itself is believed to originate from the 1970s, where it was used to mean "getting excited", "acting energetically" or "causing a disturbance".Wikipedia article on breakdancing (Archive link)
DOT EXE in particular are referred to in-game as "cyberhead b-boys".
==Bomb/Bombing==
To bomb means to spray a lot of graffiti in a given area within a short amount of time.Graffiti Heart article on common graffiti-related terms (Archive link) In the real world, this generally means using only tags or throw-ups, since the focus will be on throwing up a lot of graffiti as fast as possible.
In the game, each time the Bomb Rush Crew move into a new borough, they bomb the area to gain as much REP as possible.
==Crew==
A crew in this context is specifically a group of writers working together. Sometimes they have similar styles, while in other crews they're expected to have more unique styles.
In the game, the Bomb Rush Crew is of course the crew the player is a part of. There are also several rival crews that they must compete against.
==Cypher==
A cypher is where people form a circle, and one person at a time dances in the middle. Each person only dances for a certain amount of time, so that everyone has a chance to dance. It is often associated with hip-hop, rap, and other related subcultures.Steezy article on freestyle dance terms (Archive Link)Medium article about cypher etiquette (Archive Link)
In the game, the player can dance at a cypher spot in order to start a cypher with other playable characters. This allows the player to then switch to another character. If the player starts a cypher and then leaves, regardless of switching to someone else, a few of the characters will remain on the field to continue the cypher.
==Heaven Spots==
Heaven spots are hard-to-reach places where a writer manages to spray graffiti. Due to the difficulty in reaching such spots, they tend to have the risk of either killing or at least injuring a writer if they're not careful. However, if a writer manages it anyways, it can be a big contribution to their reputation.
A couple of characters in the game, such as Mesh, will refer to certain graffiti spots as heaven spots. This is especially the case for spots that are high up off the ground.
==King==
King is used to refer to a writer who is particularly prolific and respected, in some cases being referred to as outright legendary. They will also have the skill, style, and courage to back up their reputation.
Felix is an example of a king in terms of graffiti, although the game does not use that term for him. Instead, it's mentioned by Faux, once he starts moving forward with his plan to become "All City King".
==Piece==
Short for "masterpiece", piece refers to larger graffiti designs that are more elaborate and detailed. Generally these are designs that would take much longer to paint than a tag or throw-up.Wikipedia article on graffiti pieces (Archive link)
The L and XL designs in particular from the game would be considered pieces.
==Tag==
A tag in graffiti terms is usually in one color, and is typically the artist's name or signature. It may have some decorations, but otherwise is meant to be very small and simple.Wikipedia article on graffiti tags (Archive link)
The term tag is not mentioned in the game itself. However, the small graffiti designs are sometimes erroneously called "tags" in the fandom.
==Throw/Throwing Up==
To throw up a piece basically means to spray graffiti onto a spot. Sometimes this is specifically used to mean doing so as quickly as possible.
In the game, the mini-game that is used to decide which design to spray in a certain spot is effectively an exaggerated version of throwing up a piece. Many characters throughout the game will also mention throwing up pieces, usually referring to spraying a particular graffiti spot in the current area.
==Throw-ups/Throwies==
Throw-ups, also known as throwies, are smaller graffiti designs, usually in large bubble letters, that are meant to be easy to draw, and thus easy to "throw" onto a wall as quickly as possible. It's also sometimes used as a logo of sorts for a specific writer.Wikipedia article on graffiti throw-ups (Archive link)
Most of the character-specific small graffiti designs are in this style.
==Toys==
A toy is an inexperienced writer. "Toys" can refer to either multiple newbie writers, or can be used as an acronym. In the latter case, it stands for "Tag Over Your Shit", and is usually in reference to new writers who don't know proper etiquette and put designs over other writers' art.
One of the members of the Franks refers to Red as a toy at the beginning of the game. In the postgame, the unlockable Frank member will refer to the Bomb Rush Crew in general as toys if the player gives up or fails to beat his high-score.
==Writer==
A writer in this context is another term for a graffiti artist. The term "graffiti writer" is also sometimes used to mean the same thing.
Many of the characters throughout the game will refer to themselves and each other as writers.
Category:Terminology