From Breaking to Krumping Looking Back on Hip-Hop
by Jonathan Bostick T
hese days, it is hard to imagine a life without hip-hop cul- ture permeating and molding the greater popular culture of America. But, as with anything, there was a beginning – and in the last 40 years, hip-hop dance has evolved into a world wide phenomenon, bringing dancers and dance communities together. Here is a look back at its evolution:
1970’s
Out in the streets (and far from any dance studio) the genesis of hip-hop dance began in the South Bronx, in the form of break- ing. In its early form, breaking grew out of James Brown’s “Good Foot” dance, from which he had become very popular for. As breaking extended into greater New York City, breaking grew to include gymnastics, floorwork, freezes (stylish poses done on your hands), as well as fancy footwork. In time, street dancers became labeled as “b-boys” or “b-girls” (breaking boys/girls).
At the time, dance was used as vehicle to command respect from other people who lived in other places. Thus emerged dance crews and hip-hop battles, where people would come together to out-dance the competition. And though, the compe- tition still remains heavy to this day, it was never bred out of vio- lence, but (like Samurai culture) honor. This meant representing honor of where you came from and honor of what others can bring to your culture.
As breaking gained popularity on the east coast, street dancers began to develop what would become popping and locking on the west coast. Locking, originally called ”Campbellocking” after
Pictured: A Hip-Hop showcase from DancePlanet 15 Photo: Daniel Fermaint Photography
Don “Campellock” Campell, started in Los Angeles and became popular through his dance crew, “The Lockers.” About the same time, Sam Solomon created popping in Fresno, California which was performed by his dance crew the “Electric Boogaloos.” By the 1980’s hip-hop dance could be found in full swing in many urban communities as well as on the television show, Soul Train.
1980’s
By the 80’s, hip-hop dance came to the movies with the films, Breakin’, Beat Street, and Wild Style. As hip-hop dance gained expo- sure, the dance industry responded with a studio based version known widely as “jazz-funk” where trained dancers began affecting their dance technique with hip-hop influences.
1990’s and 2000’s
In the last 20 years, hip-hop dance has evolved to the point of commercialization, through movies and shows on television, such as The Grind, Dance 360, Planet B-Boy, Rize, Step Up and most recently, America’s Best Dance Crew. Hip-hop dance has even turned viral with a web series, The LXD – a show about a league of extraordinary dancers who spectacularly demonstrate the athleticism the dancers of today have.
What distinguishes hip-hop dance from other dance genres is that often, much of the dancing is “freestyle” or improvised within the moment it is being performed. This has led to many other derivatives such as tutting, turfing, jerkin’, and krumping. And so, like jazz music, what started as an outlet for expression has become a staple in American art, and is sure to be around for generations to come.
Pictured: A Hip-Hop showcase from DancePlanet 15 Photo: Daniel Fermaint Photography
page 16 February 2012
Jonathan Bostick’s pursuits include dance performance, marketing and writ- ing.
www.thedancecouncil.orgDANCE! NORTH TEXAS a publication of the dance council of north texas vol. 15 • no. 1
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