Willi Ninja - An icon, legend and friend

[Hashwas]

He seemed to be the one person who was all rounder, new way, runway, hands, old way.

[bassmatt11]

you can have a FAST life that's LONG.

[DaJDiggy]

Those hands... untouchable.

[travisrhickey]

I have no idea why people still say that they 'support' or 'don't support' homosexuality, or that they 'agree' or 'don't agree' with homosexuality, as it is quite simply a ridiculous statement. Homosexual is something you ARE, not something someone has made a choice about. The only choice is whether you are open about it or not, whether you are out or not. This video is primarily about raising awareness of HIV, however it is transmitted, and Willi was a phenomenal guy.

[NYCEDWIN2009]

i love this video r.i.p. willi muahzz edwin ninja

[genniferpowers]

Got tears watching this...Werk!!

[NYCEDWIN2009]

dammm i see the video and it makes me want to cry cause a man that had so much talent is gone but his legacy will live on with his house and his kids love you willi from the house of ninja and edwin ninja

[lockness1980]

L E G E N D A R Y! Our community owes this man so much! He created a culture and just did it the best... just beautiful.

[alonzoashanti]

Willie was a true good person, by the way there is no such thing a double jointed. We all have the same amount of bones. Check the Md Books.

[liljaychanel2]

wow ,so many many,good people have passed,but its is well known that only the good die young,you guys will always be loved n remenbered, not just for your voguing skills but also 4 all the love n caring you guys showed us young or up n comming kids,god bless your souls.

[halbe69]

I am so grateful that you posted this video of Willi...he has been on my mind and I too miss him very much. I want pick up the phone and shoot the shit with him but of course can't. I hope his mom is well. Much love Willi! I miss you...

[NYCEDWIN2009]

yess you better work willi go off ninja power love it xoxox love and respect edwin

[waltermyerspark]

wow.i didnt even know this guy.first time me seein a vid of him.knowing that he died eats my heart out.wow.he seems like a very great guy.

[NYCEDWIN2009]

i  miss willi and im happy to be with the legendary house of ninja r.i.p. willi ninja

[giababy678]

damn willie,i miss you.

[amerguapo]

Back in 1993 I met Willi on south beach as I was twirling fans at Club Warsaw..he made me a member of his house right where i stood. I remember standing looking at this man, with big earrings and unbeliveable charge for life, and such amazing physicality...I was and still am truly honored...his house is amazing, and He is truly and obviously, and oblivously legendary

[traceNY]

R.I.P. willie we luv u!

[BLAKPEARL69]

glad i got to meet and laugh with you. i will never forget you.

[Genevaave]

I want the young kids to realize something when they throw the word legend around, back in willie's day you had to add something to the category to be considered a legend, it did not matter how many balls you walked or how many trophies you own, you had to have more than five years in the game to say you were a legend.

[Mysteike]

Truely an "ICON". Wish I had known him. R.I.P papa Willie. U've made ur mark, "UNTOUCHABLE"!...still!!

[dabx1]

Very True!!!!!

[chrisbfriend]

i love my willie ninja a legend a icon legendaryyyyy!!!!!!!!!

[cookieWedding]

he died on my bday..........

[antonl58]

I was at that party at motherfucker. That was the craiest party I have ever been to, it was going strong even at 6am. Willy tore the crowd up when he came on. RIP willy, such a nice guy.

[hiphopper32]

I don't support homosexuality, but I respect all people who fight against violence, and help those in need, regardless of how they find pleasure in the bedroom. I also respect anyone who finds peace in artistic expression.I also respect anyone who uses those arts, whether they are unversal or belong to some specific culture or theology, to fight for what they believe in. And I must say for those reasons, despite my differing beliefs on sexuality and erotic romance, I deeply respect Willi Ninja.

[LANORDA9]

This video has very little to do with the bedroom, so I really fail to see the point of bringing up sexuality. If you respect the art form as you say, why didn't you simply focus on that. There is no need to perpetuate what "you don't support" as if anyone needs your approval. If I found this comment irrelevant, bigoted and ignorant, would you care? Perhaps it would mean just about as much to you as your thoughts on homosexuality would mean to many homosexuals.

[ilikeitfunkee]

@hiphopper32 backhanded compliment. much.

[kxxxxhouse]

so sexy

[kxxxxhouse]

he is so beauty

[crockeac]

How did he die?

[icedout455645]

HIV I believe

[123stallionass]

Talking about being fierce!!!!!!!! Models, eat your heart out, this is how it all started!!! R.I.P. XOXO

[fruityblack]

he was really beautiful!

[shyne752]

OMG this video is ova ... I never met Willie but i can see he was an amazing person . RIP Willie . A True Legend

[chloemargarita]

It's a shame that we've lost such a bright light! :-(

[fagstrata]

He was the best!

[BgnrMdl1]

He still is the best!!!

[ReeseFilmanTV]

U betta Walk bitch, Come on Willie.....he slaid anyone in that erra & still these hoes cant come for Him nor the House he died for in this present day & age.....RIP WILLIE NINJA, the best...SIMPLY THE GREATEST

[lilnewyork17]

How does he do that shit? 7:34 that is CRAZYYYYY

[Xcal2k3]

He was double jointed

[Kitty273]

RIP Willie!

NOBODY and I MEAN NOBODY did it better!

[lilnewyork17]

Lol wuts up with dat walk he look so cute though what is dat damn song??? 4:07

[dahlio]

Willi was always reading the crowd. She didn't care who you are. She would say stfu in a minute.

[djinn300]

..coming out into the ball scenei was introduced to "Paris is burning" dvd, i knew off the back i wanted to walk in the name of ninja. Willie paved the way for all the grls and i thank him greatly. Even though i never had the chance to meet him personal i would have loved to walk in the name of ninja. Willie Ninja i take my hat off to you and you will be greatly miss...Ninja Power!

[Caryl13]

I ran into Willi Ninja on so many occassions from back in the day an unrehearsed jaw dropping performance on the Westside pier(you where I talking about,now it's a beautiful park), in front of la escuelita or food shopping in Farrington Pathmark. Althrough we did not know one another very well we talked for a good long while and exchanged numbers. What becomes of a Legend most.... a Legend attains their dream without lossing sight of the trail they blaze. God bless you Willi Ninja.

[blustormskeetr]

What I love about Willi Ninja is that he made something for himself and his life. He was able to share his talents with the world. I remember being a kid and hearing about him when Madonna came out with "Vogue" and all that. Years later I hear he passes away and then I saw "Paris Is Burning". The kids don't have anything on the old school and that's a shame.

[writeBoy]

Willi Ninja is a testament to the fact that Voguing is a true ART FORM and is a credible form of dance and should be respected. Alot of the "Kids" who vogue today don't respect it, they just love to "dip" and vogue femme and have the other "kids" go up for them. Willi Ninja left a mark on the world, which is more than 99% of those who walk and have walked this Earth can, could or will do. R.I.P. WN.

[pizblixim]

The last time I saw him was a year or two ago on The Jimmy Kimmel show. Jimmy and Dominic Monighan were laughing at him because he was just a "voguer" who supposedly taught Paris H. to walk (and maybe chew gum?) but when he started dancing they were absolutely DUMBSTRUCK! I was very saddened to find out about his death... I was just looking for that performance. Would anyone out there PLEASE upload it? I'll keep checking!

[pizblixim]

I am so grateful to have met Willi once in New York, 1991 or 1992. He was a really sweet guy. I told him how I saw Paris is Burning in my small town in Vermont, and he was so nice to talk to me and hang out for a little while. One of the first celebrities I ever met!

[2damfly]

Im late hearing of Willie Ninja. This man is BRILLIANT. *1,2 work it now POSE...a moment capture in time*

[ThatCaliChick]

Werk it Bitch! That's all I gotta' say. I love this guy. I've never heard of him til now. Was he in Madonna's Vogue video-he clearly taught her everything. He was amazing. Wow where have I been I'm sick I never knew of him. Luv the attitude, Mama was rockin the ponytail. Limber as shit. RIP Ms.Thang & where ever U are-U Betta' Werk~ :)

[Afriend137]

I never got a chance to see Willie outside the hospital in his last stages, I took care of him. He was a really nice guy, and seemed to always think of everyone's elses welfare. He loved all the visits he had from his friends that stayed by his side 24hrs around the clock. He told me how successful he was in his field, but until now, I never really knew.

He spent his last days praying and talking to God. I would walk in his room and he would be praying, or reading the bible. He will be missed.

[jayon922]

I Live for This Man Right here, GOD Bless u Willie & May NINJA Continue to Be Encouraged

[crystalclear1]

I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know willie in the early eighties when he would freequent the SAINT and he always had a way of working the room.In a club full of boring people he was a breath of fresh air conversationally and he was very well cultured.He not just knew vogue and the ball scene but he knew what was going on in the world such as in the enviroment and politically, something he would use later in his life.A true well rounded guy.Such a sad waste.

[kdigga1977]

I didn't know him, but by watching this footage, I felt like I have. Willi, you will be greatly missed! Rest In Peace

[deziremenow143]

Lets not also forget that

He also had a little modeling class

where he would teach young starlets

such as Paris Hilton and many others

how to pose and give face !

He Was And IS A Living Legend....

May God Rest His Soul....

[ayjae]

The one the only Icon he is in abetter place

[FrankiexNYC]

I was shocked to hear about Willi passing. I first met Willi in the early 90's at a favorite hangout in the east village called "Sugar Babies" on Monday nights. He was a true inspiration, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to know him. Rest in peace, Willi. And Rafnyc, thank you for sharing this..Frankie

[TRUCKIE504]

A True L E G E N D

[nedric]

yo i just hate that i didnt get the chance to meet him he is the one that inspired me to learn. R.I.P Willie

[DRzIlleZtX]

I feel the same way...Willi and The House Of Ninja, are my inspiration and to continue his legacy someday i hope to be a speck of the vogue legend he was and continue to be.

[Bacom21]

what is the song's name on minute 7:20??? pleaseeee

[lilgirlprd]

The song you are asking about is called "Give It Up" by The Goodmen.

DJ Michele Miruski (Aviance)

[dutchy023]

The song is by the Goodmen and its called "Give it up" (proud to hear it, the song is made by my nephew!!). R.I.P. Willie

[Deecock]

he really infuensed me, I danced with him once and actually dropped him on the floor we both laughed as hell.RIP

[jamesbx]

I once met Willi at the Monster (NYC) back in 1991. I was voguing at the club and later when I went to the bar to get a drink - Willi was standing to my right and asked me who taught me. I replied "You did". I bought him a drink and he replied "Good Student". RIP

[kesummitt]

wonderful...Heaven has the best praise dancer EVER now!

[dahlio]

he was ahead of his time. he revolutionized it and made it his own. he created moves that we do to this day.bye willie ninja i hope the new mother is as good.

[NativeMoon]

There will only ever be one Icon Immortal - Willie Ninja... may he rest in peace

[sct1970]

Forever Fierce!!!!

[YouBettaWerqBitch]

I'm glad that someone else recogognizes that. I am so deeply saddened by his death. I just found out a few days ago that he passed. I hadn't talked to or seen Willie in a few years but he was a great freind and person. When you speak of ICON, Willine was a GODDESS! His name rings bells everywhere amongst all walks of life. Willie was one of the few people that I ever talked to that was for perpuating vogueing as a true art and dance form. I miss him so much.

[uptheduff]

Gorgeous...I am so happy that I had a chance to meet him before his transition.

[prjr1973]

rest in peace Willi! Scandalize heaven with your fearceness!

[memomgirl]

nice tribute

[synnerman]

I am so sorry that Willi Ninja has left us. My condolences go out to his family and friends and I can hope that his legacy lives on for a very long time.

[burakatinc]

He will be in our hearts.

[Nightriderqt]

I will Always remember u Mother Willi Ninja!!! U are an inspiration and made an impact to so many people that u will never be forgotten!!