The History of Hip Hop Dance
Hip hop dance, also known as breaking or b-boying/b-girling, is a street dance style that originated in the United States during the 1970s. It was created by young African American and Latino youth who lived in the Bronx, New York City, as a way to express themselves and escape the harsh realities of their daily lives.
The Origins of Hip Hop Dance #
The origins of hip hop dance can be traced back to African and Caribbean cultural traditions such as tap dancing, stepping, and African and Cuban dance styles. These dance forms were popular among African American and Latino communities in New York City during the 1960s and early 1970s.
In the mid-1970s, DJ Kool Herc, a Jamaican immigrant living in the Bronx, began hosting block parties to promote his sound system. He played funk and soul music and encouraged people to dance by extending the breaks of songs using two turntables. The dancers who gathered around him became known as b-boys or b-girls, and they developed their own unique style of dancing that combined acrobatics, gymnastics, and freezes.
The Evolution of Hip Hop Dance #
As hip hop culture began to spread throughout New York City and beyond, new styles of hip hop dance emerged. These included popping, locking, krumping, and tutting, which were all popularized by different groups or individuals. Each style had its own unique movement vocabulary, techniques, and philosophy that reflected the cultural, social, and historical contexts in which they were created.
For example, popping and locking were developed by dancers who wanted to express their individuality and creativity through their bodies. They used quick, jerky movements to create a sense of tension and release, and they often incorporated humor and storytelling into their routines.
Krumping, on the other hand, was created in South Central Los Angeles by a group of young men who used dance as a way to express their anger, frustration, and grief over the violence and poverty that plagued their neighborhoods. They used fast, aggressive movements and powerful facial expressions to convey intense emotions and energies.
Tutting, meanwhile, was developed in Egypt and spread to Europe before reaching the United States. It involves precise, geometric movements of the body that mimic the lines and shapes of architecture or engineering designs. Tutting is often used in music videos or commercials as a way to add visual interest or style to the footage.
The Globalization of Hip Hop Dance #
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, hip hop dance began to gain international recognition as more people from different parts of the world started to appreciate its artistry and cultural significance. This led to the creation of various dance crews or collectives that specialized in different styles of hip hop dance, such as the Electric Boogaloos, the Jabbawockeez, and the Rocksteady Crew.
These groups traveled around the world to perform at concerts, festivals, and competitions, where they showcased their unique skills and creativity. They also taught workshops or classes to share their knowledge and experience with aspiring dancers who wanted to learn more about hip hop culture and dance.
Today, hip hop dance is a global phenomenon that spans across various genres of music and art forms, from theater and film to fashion and graphic design. It has also become an Olympic sport, as evidenced by the inclusion of breaking in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Conclusion #
In conclusion, hip hop dance is a powerful expression of self and community that has evolved over time to reflect different cultural, social, and historical contexts. It has not only influenced popular culture but also provided a platform for marginalized groups or individuals to express their voices and perspectives through movement and art. As we continue to witness the growth and expansion of hip hop dance around the world, it is essential that we recognize its importance as an art form and a means of self-expression that transcends borders and boundaries.