Hip hop dance in all its forms

History of hip hop dance

Hip hop dance is a style that makes you want to escape and gives the impression of being untouchable. If this feeling can be felt, it is closely linked to its history, its development and its music. This is why understanding its foundations is essential as well as its evolution which gave birth to 5 variations of hip hop dance. 

Socio-economic context

Hip-hop is embedded in context socioeconomic American of the 1960s. Indeed, at that time, the industries which provided a living for the inhabitants of the Bronx, Brooklyn and Harlem were leaving the neighborhoods to settle in New York's industrial parks. At that time segregation was still in place, which means that only white people could follow their work and live around the factories. Unfortunately, the urban planning policy provides for the destruction of the buildings rather than their restorations. Due to this policy, the real estate value of these neighborhoods is falling rapidly and living conditions are deteriorating at high speed.. This results in the parking of Latin American and African American peoples.

Furthermore, the State of New York is increasingly neglecting these ghettos. This negligence has a direct impact on the morale of residents who suffer social instability, of the drug trafficking and one banditry urban on a daily basis from the 1970s. Increasingly distraught by the inaction of the State, certain places are run by gangs and become practically impossible to access for police officers and ambulances until they become lawless areas. 

A political movement

At the same time, a political movement to stop segregation taking place. Indeed, identity groups are formed within the ghettos to assert equal rights, the fight against racism And the destruction of institutional racial segregation. Those are peaceful political movements like the Black Muslim groups led by the emblematic Malcolm X and Black Power led by Martin Luther King. These groups are repressed by order And dismantled by the FIB and the leaders are murdered. 

The birth of hip hop

While some demonstrate in the streets, others broadcast black American music in the neighborhoods surrounding New York. The whole population gathered to party and dance. Hip-hop had not yet emerged, it was djing and break dance who followed suit. 

Shortly after, gang conflicts invaded the ghettos and some armed themselves with hip hop For to struggle against constructively against inter-neighborhood crime and propose this dance as a tool to escape the vice of the street. It was then that in 1973, a former gang leader Afrika Bambaataa launched the Zulu Nation movement. Hip hop aimed to channel neighborhood violence and of transform it into an artistic performance. This category brought together different artistic fields such as paint, THE singing, there dance and the music. 

Its multidisciplinarity has convinced the general public with films such as “Breaking” (1984) and thanks to rap music like “The Breaks” (1980). Today hip-hop dance continues to evolve and reinvent itself through competitions like the “World of Dance highlighting artists from around the world. 

The different styles of hip hop

Hip hop encompasses 5 styles dances including break dance, THE popping, THE lock, there house dance and the emblematic hip-hop. Each style offers a representation and an aesthetic unique with diverse and varied movements. Some styles are even part of tahitian dances. Discover the richness of hip hop style.

Popping

Popping originated in Los Angeles during the 1970s. This style quickly established itself as a pillar of hip-hop dance. Why the name popping? This comes from the basic technique which consists of contract and relax the muscles of the body in a way rhythmic to create jerky movements which give the impression of emerging. It is a dance associated with funk and to his sensational rhythms. Dancers are good atsynchronize their movements with the beats, rhythm and bass creating a perfect harmony between dance and music.

Also, the poppers move using insulation who move different parts of their bodies independently which gives theillusion of vibration and electrical movements. Popping allows free interpretation and of play with beats, speed variations and pauses to design striking visual effects.

Known movements

Aside from jerky movements, the dancers integrate fluid elements in their choreographies. In fact, they can perform a muscular contraction then chained on a smooth transition which produces a dynamic contrast. Fluidity and jerky movements give artistic versatility and one your unique to the dance. There we find movements known as the boogaloo which combines undulating movements, elastic And fluids to body insulation which gives the impression to spectators that the dancer is moves so liquid. There is also the tutting which uses geometric shapes and Egyptian hieroglyph postures. 

The lock

Locking is part of hip-hop culture and originated in the 1960s in Los Angeles. This practice is characterized by choppy movements, sudden movements performed with strong rhythmic precision. The dancers create series of expressive gestures and poses coupled with a confident attitude which results in broad gestures And exuberant to convey joy and some freedom. The locking is inspired by jazz since we find jazz dance elements like the pirouettes and jumps which gives a dimension acrobatic. This discipline has a theatrical form with the use of hand and arm movements like the “pointing” which consists of pointing fingers and “lock” which refers to crossing your arms and locking them. It is a dance that allows you to tell a story and of pushing the limits of creativity. 

Break dancing

Break dancing or b-boying comes from hip-hop and took its first steps on the streets of New York in the 1970s. Breakin' in a few movements is a acrobatic tricks, of the ground movements, of the explosive gestures and fast spins. Dancers or b-boys use toprock which are standing movements, THE power moves who are the acrobatics, THE freeze which is a frozen posture and the footwork who are the movements close to the ground. They are made in synchronization with music. Compared to other genres, break dancing is very competitive. B-boys and b-girls can compete against each other in battles and of competitions to show their mastery and level. 

Over time, breakdancing has added contemporary dance elements, of capoeira and of gymnastic so that the discipline remains relevant and does not lose its splendor.  

If you are looking for an equally dynamic dance that is out of the ordinary you can turn to the bollywood dance which is inspired by break dance movements. 

Hip hop 

As previously said, hip hop took shape in the 1970s in the disadvantaged neighborhoods of New York. The flagship element of hip hop is its groove. The bodies of the dancers are a means of translating the lyrics, melodies and beats of the music into synchronization. Let us remember that hip hop at its origins is a claim to identity. Today, it is a way of expressing a story or experience. Hip hop still remains a means of protest. Indeed, this dance was used to express social protest, it was a voice for the marginalized and the oppressed. The themes addressed in hip hop concern descrimination, anger, resilience or joy and love. The dance steps are similar to break dancing like toprock, THE freeze, THE footwork or even the insulation.

House dance

There house dance has its origins in the house music clubs of Chicago and New York around the 1980s. It is linked to the underground culture of electro music and was influenced by disco, soul and funk. The dancers let themselves be guided by the frenetic rhythms and percussive beats of the music in order to gain inspiration. Dancers use steps like jacking, it is an upper body movement, it includes swings, of the rotations and shaking to be in rhythm with the music. This dance also uses the footwork, THE insulation and the slides to make the choreographies totally unique and stimulating.  

How to succeed in hip hop? 

Are you afraid of not being up to hip hop dancing? No worries, here are some little tips to be the best in street dance. 

The first step to success is to take dance lessons. It may make you smile, but it's the best way to learn basic techniques, refine your style, and familiarize yourself with the different forms of hip-hop. Obviously to see your progress, it is important to go regularly to develop your coordination and activate your muscle memory.

Other solutions

Then you can study hip-hop dance videos to observe their movements, analyze their technique and reproduce their choreography in order to improve. 

Subsequently, you can expand your repertoire by exploring other styles like break dancing, popping or locking. In this sense, you develop your creativity. 

Focus on the music. Indeed, the more you think about the tempo and variations of the music, the better you will be at achieving movements in synchronization. 

Finally, if you feel like it, you can participate Has competitions or battles to gain experience on stage and assess your level. 

What you must remember

This article is coming to an end, here are the most important points of hip hop dance: 

Hip-hop emerged in a socio-economic context strongly troubled by segregation in disadvantaged neighborhoods of New York in the 1970s. For Latinos and African-Americans, dance was a way to express injustice and claim their rights. It came in 5 different styles with their own unique style: 

• Break dance

•  Hip hop

• Locking

• House dance

• Popping

If you want progress in hip hop, here are some tips : 

• Listen to several musical styles

• Analyze hip-hop videos

• Join competitions or battles
• Take dance lessons

Work on your movements at DECIBEL®

Does the idea of doing hip-hop torture your mind? Come and discover the revisited and exciting version from DECIBEL®. What should you expect? HAS 45 minutes of immersive dance workout mixing muscle strengthening And cardio so you can perform the basic hip hop steps like a king. 

Spend yourself under dim light accompanied by expert hip hop coaches to support you as best as possible. 

If you want to know more, you'll have to try!