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Hip-Hop
is conveyed as a means of expression, a cultural phenomenon which pertains
to the Lower class Individuals; primarily African American and much more. While
it’s a popular genre listened to by the general American masses, the Hip Hop
genre serves as a movement of resistance aimed at the masses of music and white
American culture. Elements of Hip Hop such as the Breaking, DJ'ing, graffiti, B'boying/B'Girling MC'ing, Knowledge of oneself and the whole resistance movement. The emergence of Bboying as a physical form
of graffiti (claimed by Skeeter Rabbit) is important because like the other elements
of the Hip Hop resistance movement, Bboying was a construct which was created
by the marginalized Blacks and Puerto Ricans in the South Bronx. This form of cultural style
not only adapted to Hip Hop from gang related acts, to dance but as well spread
into various regions/countries as a movement against poverty and a means for creating a new culture
through dancing.
According to DJ Kool Herc, the
term b-boiying and b-girling refers to the act of “breaking” which is a term
that describes excitement and energy, or routines. The actions of B-boying and
B-girling are terminologies derived by the acts of dance movements in the Bronx
hip hop events. (Forman, Neal, pg. 58) With Bboying, the dance styles where
originated as a means of expression with often went along with the breaks
produced by Kool Herc, or DJs in general. Herc would shout “Bboys are you
ready? Bgirls are you ready?” and the dancers would dance to the breaks. The
term of Bboying had originated from the Uprock; a dance form in the 60’s. Gangs
would incorporate gestures and movements into the form as a form of rivalry.
Often, the best Breakers in opposing gangs would battle dancewise instead of
fighting. They would battle over turf or altercations among rival gangs. By
dancing, this would show who the better and tougher crew is. As the incorporation of
different themes where brought into the dance form, Bboying developed in
practice. There are various components and means of Breaking, according to the
location. "As Bboying and Bgirling progressed, breakers incorporated the toprock, downrock, power moves, and freezes." (Mathew.
2009) The important aspect of bbboying/girling is that it had incorporated the tradition
sound of soul and famous black performers such as James Brown, Richard colleen,
etc. These moves signaled the more intricate and as well skills of the
performer when challenging another individual on the dance floor.
The movement of Bboying and Bgirling had build momentum from
a United States movement of culture to a bigger theme, on a global scale. In countries
such as Brazil, American individuals would spread the dance style and elements from
Brazil to America are incorporated. "Dance styles such as Capoeira share similar
patterns as New York Bboying/girling." (Neal, & Forman, 2004. Pg. 58) In South Korea, Bboying/girling had grown since its
introduction by us troops during the 1980's and 90's. Koreans would place events
such as annual breaking dances and more. In Japan, the practice was introduced
by the rocks steady crew. The crew along with others has influenced a rise in
public popularity for breaking and even foundation of their own events and
organizations for Bboying/girling. In these different countries it is used as a
form of pastime or skill which is different than its initial origins and uses
in the US. Where in the US, it started
as a way to rival gangs and others, today it has grown diverse and the dancing
styles have changed.
References
·
History
of Breakdancing. (1999). Retrieved March 23, 2016, from http://www.globaldarkness.com/articles/history
of breaking.htm
·
Schloss,
J. G. (2009). Foundation: B-boys, b-girls, and hip-hop culture in New York.
Oxford: Oxford University Press.
· Breakdancing/B-boying/Breaking.
(2014). Retrieved March 23, 2016, from https://historyofthehiphop.wordpress.com/hip-hop-cultures/break-dancingdance/
· April,
Matthew (2009). Foundation: B-boys, B-girls, And Hip-Hop Culture In New York.
Oxford University Press
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