25 Things You Should Know About Hip Hop
Break dancing is a term created by the media! Once hip hop dancers gained the media’s attention, some journalists and reporters produced inaccurate terminology in an effort to present these urban dance forms to the masses. The term break dancing is a prime example of this misnomer. Most pioneers and architects of dance forms associated with hip hop reject this term and hold fast to the original vernacular created in their places of origin. In the case of break dancing, it was initially called b-boying or b-girling. This is the dance form that includes: fancy footwork on top (top rocking) that works its way to the ground (floor rocking or foot work), striking poses (freezes), spins and other dynamic moves. According to the creators of this form, the “b”, in b-boy/girl stands for “break,” which has been defined as the most percussive part of a highly rhythmic song. Other pioneers claim it was taken from the street slang “break,” which is to do something with great intensity. The term breaking was coined by the second generation of dancers in the 1980s and was also popularized by the media.
Pop-locking is an incorrect term! The West Coast gave birth to two major dance forms associated with hip hop. One form is known as locking while the other is popping. In Los Angeles, CA, Don "Campbellock" Campbell created locking and members of his dance troupe added foundational steps and moves as well. Popping was created by Sam "Boogaloo Sam" Solomon out of Fresno, CA. As these two dance forms gained popularity, viewers identified each style by their distinctive techniques, steps and moves. These dances were both celebrated in the same places and shared the same social scene. Quite often, dancers learned both popping and locking and did one or the other depending on the DJ's musical selection. In conversation it was common to mention these dances side by side (popping and locking), which eventually morphed into one word or term, pop-locking. Some creators and pioneers of the dance forms reject this hybrid term and believe the two names should be referred to separately since they have never been successfully fused as one.
The moonwalk was originally called the back slide. This amazing move was taught to Michael Jackson by a dancer named Casper. When done correctly the dancer appears to be taking steps forward, yet hovering backwards. Various interpretations of this move have been seen throughout dance history, from the legendary hoofer/tap dancer known as Bubbles to the master of pantomime, Marcel Marceau. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Creepin' Cid, from the dance troupe Electric Boogaloos, and Jeffrey Daniels from the band Shalimar also popularized the back slide on the television program “Soul Train.” Michael Jackson was taught by the members of the Electric Boogaloos, and for about 13 years his personal popping instructor was Bruno Falcon who is known as “Popin' Taco.”
Top rocking and up rocking are two different dance forms! In the late 1960s and early 1970s New York City youth created a number of dance forms. Among them are top rocking (steps done before you drop to the floor and do foot work) and up rocking (originally known as rocking), which is war dance. Throughout the years younger generations mixed these styles and their proper terminology. While top rocking seems to have been created in the Bronx, there is evidence that up rocking was done in the Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn. In many cases, NYC street gangs were attracted to this dance because of its aggressive nature.
Dancing didn't always replace fighting! This is a romanticized version of the urban dance scene. Sometimes inner city youth used rocking, breaking, popping and locking to start fights. Physical contact among rival dancers during a dance battle/challenge was a major violation.
Many famous hip hop DJs and MCs/rappers were dancers as well! Among these were: Melle Mel and Kid Creole (Furious Five), Grand Mixer DXT, Mean Gene (L Brothers), GrandMaster Caz (Cold Crush Brothers), Grand Wizzard Theodore (Fantastic Five), DJ Jazzy Jay, Pow Wow and MC GLOBE (Soul Sonic Force), MC Pebble Poo, Kangol (UTFO), Busta Rhymes, Big Daddy Kane, Ice T, The Booya Tribe and many others.
John Travolta was trying to Lock in the movie "Saturday Night Fever." He was taught by Denny Terrio who was once the host of a popular television show “Dance Fever.” John Travolta's points, knee drops, and other steps and moves were a weak attempt at locking.
The first New York-based dance troupe to perform narrative based theater pieces was The Magnificent Force. Directed by Julie Fraud this dance troupe pioneered hip hop theater back in 1984.
The first hip hop musical that included most of hip hop's elements (dancers, rappers, DJs and aerosol artist) was created by members of two dance troupes: The Rhythm Technicians and Rock Steady Crew. The theater piece was titled "So What Happens Now?" and was first performed at NYC's Performance Space 122 in 1990.
The first hip hop Off-Broadway musical was created, choreographed, directed and performed by Ghettoriginal Productions Dance Company. In 1995, "Jam On The Groove" opened at The Minetta Lane Theatre.
The first music video that featured a popper was "Young Turks" by Rod Stewart. The featured popper was “Cool Pockets” from the dance troupe Chain Reaction.
The first music video that featured b-boys and a NYC graffiti writer was Malcolm McLaren's "Buffalo Gals." This 1983 video featured Rock Steady Crew and legendary aerosol artist DONDI.
The first major motion picture to feature popping and locking was "Xanadu." The featured dancers were members of Chain Reaction.
The first independent film about hip hop culture was "Wild Style" directed by Charlie Ahearn.
The first major motion picture to feature breaking and up rocking was "Beat Street." The featured dancers were: The Magnificent Force, Rock Steady Crew and New York City Breakers.
Joe-Joe, one of the founders of Rock Steady Crew, invented the backspin.
Crazy Legs, president of Rock Steady Crew is the inventor of the continuous backspin also known as the windmill.
Icey Ice, formerly of Magnificent Force and of the New York City Breakers, invented the first air move and the ninja freeze.
Kid Freeze of Dynamic Breakers invented air tracks, continuous headspins and hollow backs.
Mr. Wiggles of the Rock Steady Crew and Electric Boogaloos invented the wiggle walk.
The Lockers had their own Saturday morning television show for children in the 1970s.
Electric boogie is a false term for popping and robotic movement in New York City. The term was inspired by the Electric Boogaloos performance on “Soul Train” in the ‘70s. Up until the early 1980s, dancers in New York City had very limited access to the practitioners of these dance forms from the West Coast.
GrandWizzard Theodore invented the trademark sound for hip-hop music: the scratch, at the age of 13.
The founding fathers of hip hop culture were all DJs: Kool DJ Herc, Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash and they had one more commonality: each pioneer has West Indian roots!
In a famous dance scene in the movie “Flashdance,” it was Crazy Legs of the Rock Steady Crew performing the backspin and not lead actress, Jennifer Beals.