PEH1 - TURNING INTO THE HIP-HOP DANCE

Module 7: Turning Into Hip-Hop Dance

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the context of hip-hop dance

  • Discuss different styles of hip-hop

  • Identify elements of hip-hop dance

  • Describe proper execution of the elements of hip-hop dance

  • Execute hip-hop dance styles correctly

  • Apply correct techniques to minimize risk of injuries

Introduction to Hip-Hop Dance

  • Common Genre for Youth:

    • Popular among teenagers due to exposure through media.

    • Freestyle nature distinguishes it from structured dance forms.

History of Hip-Hop Dance

  • Origins in the Late 1960s:

    • Emerged within African-American and Latino communities in NYC and California.

    • Popularized by dance crews across the U.S.

  • Peak Popularity in the 1980s:

    • Featured in movies, music videos, and television.

    • Global exposure through the internet in the late 1990s.

Characteristics of Hip-Hop Dance

  • Distinctive and Lively:

    • Allows personal expression and creativity.

    • Incorporates freestyle movement and improvisation.

Primary Techniques of Hip-Hop Dance

  • Popularity and Evolution:

    • Consists of three primary techniques:

      • Popping

      • Locking

      • Breaking

  • Breakdancing:

    • Combines breakdancing and body-popping; focuses on footwork over acrobatics.

Elements of Hip-Hop Culture

  • Rap (MCing):

    • Originated from Jamaica, where entertainers deliver rhythmic rhymes.

    • MCs set the stage for dancers and engage the audience.

  • DJing:

    • Disk jockeying involves creating new music using samples and recorded sounds.

    • DJs can perform live or pre-record mixes.

  • Graffiti:

    • An artistic expression associated with hip-hop culture, showcasing word and image-based art.

    • The legality and classification of graffiti as art can be controversial.

  • B-Boying:

    • Originated in NYC in the 1970s, features floor work, spinning, and acrobatics.

    • Breakers (B-boys and B-girls) were key figures in popularizing the dance form.

  • Beatboxing:

    • Vocal percussion that complements rapping; creates beats with vocal sounds.

Dance Styles in Hip-Hop

  • Breakdancing (B-boying):

    • Earliest hip-hop dance style combining acrobatics and rhythm.

    • Elements Include:

      • Toprock: Upright dancing and shuffles.

      • Downrock: Floor-based footwork.

      • Freeze: Poses during dancing.

      • Power Moves: Acrobatic, circular movements.

  • Popping:

    • Performed by rhythmic muscle contractions creating a jerky movement.

    • Popularized by dancer Sam Solomon and the Electric Boogaloos.

  • Locking:

    • Invented by Don Campbell, combines pauses and fast movement.

    • Emphasizes the