Hip Hop

Dance and Pop Culture (Quiz#4)

5 Components

1. Deejaying or turntabling

2. MCing

3. Graffiti Painting

4. B-Boying/B-girling or breaking

5. Knowledge

Deejaying

Creating music in real time

Mcing

Hype-person, guides the energy (person usually mic’s up)

Graffiti Painting

Art expressing self/life outdoors with spray paint

B-boying/B-girling

• Original dance style

• Top rocks, fast footwork, down rocks, freezes, and power moves

Knowledge

a. “Knowledge of the self” is a term used in Hip hop to describe the process of

gaining self-awareness and understanding of one’s cultural identity and

history

b. Empowerment

DJ Kool Herc

• Father of Hip Hop

• Block parties in the West Bronk

  • played funk and soul

  • “Birthplace of Hip Hop”

• Noticed people got most hype during the breakbeat of the song

• Isolating breakbeat

Grandmaster Flash

• used headphones to pinpoint exactly where the beats started and ended

• “precure” the beats and make seamless transitions between the breaks

• extended the technique, back spinning and “juggling” the break between turntables in rapid fashion

Knowledge

“_______ of self”

• gaining self-awareness and understanding of one’s cultural identity and history

• empowerment

Breaking

• born in hip hop block parties

• athletic style

• one-upmanship (battles)

• blend of salsa, rumba, jazz and martial arts

• purpose without violence

What technique did DJ Kool Herc create?

Coined the term “breaking” 

Technique: Breaking

• fast footwork/down rock (using hands on floor to support legs in air)

• freezes (hold moves)

• power moves (propelling entire body into continued spin or rotation 

• top rocks (dance while standing)

Locking

• Originated in the West Coast

• Points and pauses in dancing

• freeze-mid move

What technique did Don Campbell create?

“Locking”

• he had trouble doing the funky chicken

• was a dancer with no formal training

Popping

• inspired by jerk and the twist

• isolate and tense muscles throughout the body 

• create edges and angles

What technique did “Boogaloo” or Sam Soloman create?

Popping

• Fresno, CA

Krumping

• emerged in 2000s in South Central, LA

• high energetic battles, dramatic movements: intense, fast-paced, and sharp

• rechallenging aggression into dance

What technique did Cesare Willis and Jo’Artis create?

Krumping

Impacts of Hip Hop dance

1. Cultural Exchange

2. Pop Culture

3. Fitness and Wellness

4. Education and empowerment

Impact 1 (Cultural Exchange)

helped to break down barriers between different group of people

Impact 2 (Pop Culture)

• music videos, movies, TV shows

• hip hop dance moves and styles have been adopted by mainstream culture and are widely recognized

Impact 3 (Fitness and Wellness)

• high-energy form of exercise that combines cardio, strength training, and flexibility

• gyms and fitness studios offer hip hop dance classes as a fun way to get in shape

Impact 4 (Education and empowerment)

• many dance programs and workshops use hip hop to engage young people and teach them about self-expression, teamwork, and discipline

• way for marginalized communities to reclaim their identity and celebrate culture