Module 008 – Hiphop and Street Dance

Breakdance
Breakdance (media coined phrase), also known as breaking, b-girling or b-boying, is a
street dance style that evolved as part of the hip hop movement that originated among
African American and Latin American youths in the South Bronx of New York City during
the early 1970s. It is arguably the best known of all hip hop dance styles. A breakdancer is
also known as a breaker, and B-boy.
Break dancing is largely improvisational, without “standard” moves or steps. The emphasis
is on energy, movement, creativity, and an element of danger. It is meant to convey the
rough world of the street gangs from which it sprang. It is also associated with a particular
style of dress that includes baggy pants or sweat suits, baseball caps worn sideways or
backward, and sneakers (required because of the dangerous nature of many of the moves).
The term break refers to the particular rhythms and sounds produced by deejays by mixing
sounds from records to produce a continuous dancing beat. The technique was pioneered
by DJ Kool Herc (Clive Campbell), a Jamaican deejay in New York who mixed the percussion
breaks from two identical records. By playing the breaks repeatedly and switching from
one record to the other, Kool Herc created what he called “cutting breaks.” During his live
performances at New York dance clubs, Kool Herc would shout, “B-boys go down!”—the
signal for dancers to perform the gymnastic moves that are the hallmark of break dancing.
From those early roots, break-dancers began to add different moves to their routines, such
as “pops” and “locks,” which brought a robotic quality to the dance. That style was
popularized in the early 1970s by artists, including Charlie Robot, who appeared on the
popular Soul Train television program. Disco dancers began to emulate those moves, which
then entered the mainstream disco culture. At that time, however, break dancing and
the hip-hop culture from which it emerged were still associated with crime and gang
violence.

Popular speculations of the early 1980s suggest that breakdancing, in its organized fashion
seen today, began as a method for rival gangs of the ghetto to mediate and settle territorial
disputes. In a turn-based showcase of dance routines, the winning side was determined by
the dancer(s) who could outperform the other by displaying a set of more complicated and
innovative moves.

It later was through the highly energetic performances of the late funk legend James Brown
and the rapid growth of dance teams, like the Rock Steady Crew of New York City, that the
competitive ritual of gang warfare evolved into a pop-culture phenomenon receiving
massive media attention. Parties, disco clubs, talent shows, and other public events became
typical locations for breakdancers, including gang members for whom dancing served as a
positive diversion from the threats of city life.

Though its intense popularity eventually faded in the 1980s, breakdancing persists as a
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mainstream phenomenon, maintaining exposure through often comical portrayals in
commercials, movies, and the media. Breakdancing remains an enjoyable pastime for
enthusiasts and, for a few, a serious competitive dance where annual exhibitions and
competitions of all levels take place.
The dance
A basic routine might include toprock, a transition into downrock, also known as
footwork, a display of power moves, and finally a climactic freeze or suicide.
Toprock refers to any string of steps performed from a standing position, relying
upon a mixture of coordination, flexibility, style, and most importantly, rhythm. It is
usually the first and foremost opening display of style, and it serves as a warm-up for
transitions into more acrobatic maneuvers. In contrast, downrock includes all
footwork performed on the floor as in the 6-step. Downrock is normally performed
with the hands and feet on the floor. In downrock, the breakdancer displays his or
her proficiency with foot speed and control by performing footwork combinations.
These combinations usually transition into more athletic moves known as power
moves.

Power moves refer to moves that require momentum and physical power to execute.
In power moves, the breakdancer relies more on upper body strength to dance, using
his or her hands to do moves. Power moves include windmill, swipes, headspins,
flare, and airflare. Because power moves are physically demanding, breakdancers use
them as a display of upper body strength and stamina. Many moves are borrowed
from gymnastics, such as the flare, and martial arts, with impressive acrobatics such
as the butterfly kick.

The more difficult freezes require the breakdancer to suspend himself or herself off
the ground using upper body strength, in poses such as the handstand or pike.
Whereas freezing refers to a single pose, locking entails sharp transitions between a
series of freezes.

Suicides are another type of move to end to a routine. Breakers will make it appear
that they have lost control and fall onto their backs, stomachs, etc. The more painful
the Suicide appears, the more impressive it is, but breakdancers execute them in a
way to minimize pain. In contrast to Freezes, Suicides draw attention to the motion
of falling or losing control, while Freezes draw attention to the final position.

"Battles" refer to any level of competition in which breakdancers in an open space

(typically a circle or square) participate in quick-paced, turn-based routines, whether
improvised or planned. Participants vary in number, ranging from head-to-head
duels to battles of opposing breakdance crews, or teams. Winners are determined by
the side exhibiting the most proficient combinations of moves. "Cyphers," on the
other hand, are open-forum, mock exhibitions where competition is less emphasized.

In pop culture
 Since its inception, breakdancing has provided a youth culture constructive
alternative to violent urban street gangs. Today, breakdancing culture is a
remarkable discipline somewhere in-between those of dancers and athletes. Since
acceptance and involvement centers on dance skills, breakdancing culture is usually
free of the common race, gender and age boundaries of a subculture and has been
accepted worldwide.
The world scene
Social interaction centers on practice and performance, which are occasionally
intertwined because of its improvisational style. While featured at dance schools,
breakdancing is very difficult, typically taught to newbies, or beginners, by more
experienced breakdancers and passed on to new generations by informal word -of-
mouth. Clubs and hip-hop schools do exist, but are rare in number and more so in
organization.

Music
As the clichéd quote "break to the beat" insists, music is a staple ingredient for
breakdancing. The original songs that popularized the dance form borrow
significantly from progressive genres of jazz, soul, funk, electro or electro funk, disco,
and R&B. (See 1970s and 1980s). The most common feature of breakdance music
exists in breaks, or compilations formed from samples taken from different songs
which are then looped and chained together by the DJ. The tempo generally ranges
between 110 and 135 beats-per-minute with shuffled sixteenth and quarter beats in
the percussive pattern. History credits Kool DJ Herc for the invention of this concept,
later termed breakbeat.

The musical selection is not restricted to hip-hop as long as the tempo and beat
pattern conditions are met. It can be readily adapted to different music genres (often
with the aid of remixing). World competitions have seen the unexpected
progressions and applications of heavily European electronica, and even opera.
Dance elements
There are four primary elements that form breakdancing. They are toprock,
downrock, power moves, and freezes.
Toprock generally refers to any string of steps performed from a standing position. It
is usually the first and foremost opening display of style, though dancers often
transition from other aspects of breakdancing to toprock and back. Toprock has a
variety of steps which can each be varied according to the dancer's expression (i.e.
aggressive, calm, excited). A great deal of freedom is allowed in the definition of
toprock: as long as the dancer maintains cleanliness, form, and attitude, theoretically
anything can be toprock. Toprock can draw upon many other dance styles such
as popping, locking, tap dance, Lindy hop, or house dance. Transitions from toprock
to downrock and power moves are called "drops".
Downrock (also known as "footwork" or "floorwork") is used to describe any
movement on the floor with the hands supporting the dancer as much as the feet.
Downrock includes moves such as the foundational 6-step, and its variants such as

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the 3-step. The most basic of downrock is done entirely on feet and hands but more
complex variations can involve the knees when threading limbs through each other.
Power moves are acrobatic moves that require momentum, speed, endurance,
strength, flexibility, and control to execute. The breaker is generally suppor ted by his
upper body while the rest of his body creates circular momentum. Some examples
are the windmill, swipe, back spin, and head spin. Some power moves are borrowed
from gymnastics and martial arts. An example of a power move taken from
gymnastics is the Thomas Flair which is shortened and spelled flare in b-boying.
Freezes are stylish poses that require the breaker to suspend himself or herself off
the ground using upper body strength in poses such as the pike. They are used to
emphasize strong beats in the music and often signal the end of a set. Freezes can be
linked into chains or "stacks" where breakers go from freeze to freeze to freeze in
order to hit the beats of the music which displays musicality and physical strength.
Styles
Although there are some generalities in the styles that exist, many dancers combine
elements of different styles with their own ideas and knowledge in order to create a
unique style of their own. Breakers can therefore be categorized into a broad style
which generally showcases the same types of techniques.
 Power: This style is what most members of the general public associate with the
term "breakdancing". Power moves comprise full-body spins and rotations that
give the illusion of defying gravity. Examples of power moves include head spins,
back spins, windmills, flares, air tracks/air flares, 1990s, 2000s, jackhammers,
crickets, turtles, hand glides, halos, and elbow spins. Those breakers who use
"power moves" almost exclusively in their sets are referred to as "power he ads".
 Abstract: A very broad style which may include the incorporation of "threading"
footwork, freestyle movement to hit beats, house dance, and "circus" styles
(tricks, contortion, etc.).
 Blow-up: A style which focuses on the "wow factor" of certain power moves,
freezes, and circus styles. Blowups consist of performing a sequence of as many
difficult trick combinations in as quick succession as possible in order to "smack"
or exceed the virtuosity of the other breaker's performance. The names of some
of these moves are air baby, hollow backs, solar eclipse, and reverse air baby,
among others. The main goal in blow-up style is the rapid transition through a
sequence of power moves ending in a skillful freeze or "suicide". Like freezes, a
suicide is used to emphasize a strong beat in the music and signal the end to a
routine. While freezes draw attention to a controlled final position, suicides
draw attention to the motion of falling or losing control. B-boys or b-girls will
make it appear that they have lost control and fall onto their backs, stomachs,
etc. The more painful the suicide appears, the more impressive it is, but breakers
execute them in a way to minimize pain.
 Flavor: A style that is based more on elaborate toprock, downrock, and/or
freezes. This style is focused more on the beat and musicality of the song than
having to rely on power moves only. Breakers who base their dance on "flavor"
or style are known as "style heads".
Street Jazz Dance
Often, street dance encourages dancers to interact with other dancers and even the
audience. Street jazz dance emerged from an amalgamation of modern dance styles that
were performed in nontraditional settings.
History
Street jazz dance evolved from informal dancing often done in informal settings in
nightclubs, schools and on the street. Street jazz dance was inspired by traditional dance
performed outside of professional studios.
Significance
Jazz dance, modern hip hop and funk make up street jazz dance. In fact, the hip hop and
funk dance styles that appeared on dance scenes in the 1970s inspired the development of
today’s street jazz dance.
Types
Considered by some as a sub-dance style or variation of hip hop, street jazz dance has
several forms: hip hop, jazz dance, broadway dance, breakdancing and contempor ary
dance.
Features
Urban styles, such as elements of breakdance, tecktoniks, and other dance forms, are
featured in street jazz dance.
Identification
Street jazz dance can be identified by performers’ fast and intricate footwork, refined spins
and acrobatic flips and moves. Inspired by modern hip hop, street jazz dance resembles
this original street style.
Various dance forms like zumba, hip-hop and bollywood dancing have gained momentum
as dance workouts. This is because dancing not just makes up for an effective
cardiovascular exercise but it is also a fun way to learn a few moves in the bargain.
But let's not limit working out to just a few forms of dancing. Thirty minutes of dancing can
charge you up physically and mentally too. And the best part is that now you can exercise
your way to some of Michael Jackson and Madonna's famous moves too.
You can do so with a dance form is called street jazz. It is a modern-day dance style that
stems from other dance forms like hip-hop, breakdancing, funk, electronic dance etc. The
moves involved in street jazz not only work out your muscles and give you a good cardio
session but can also be used to woo someone at a club. Here are some other fitness benefits
of a street jazz workout.
Improves stamina
Street jazz includes a range of energetic body movements that really work out your
muscles. Such energetic and regular workouts will greatly improve your stamina over time.
Boosts heart health
A 30 minute session of street jazz can really break a sweat. This cardiovascular workout
improves circulation, thus boosting your heart health.

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 Improves flexibility of hands, feet and joints
Street jazz calls for the use of your hands, feet and leg joints to support your body weight
during the dance. Such a routine when done regularly will surely increase and improve
flexibility.
Aids self-confidence
A dance like street jazz cannot go unnoticed. Once you begin to rain down a few moves,
they will be surely appreciated. This will increase your self-confidence considerably.

References and Supplementary Materials

Online Supplementary Reading Materials
B-Boy History; http://www.breakdancingninja.com/bboy_history.html; August 30, 2017
Break Dance; https://www.britannica.com/art/break-dance; August 30, 2017
The History of Street Jazz Dance; https://ourpastimes.com/the-history-of-street-jazz-
dance-12354177.html; September 21, 2017