Group 4 Reporting

HISTORY,
ELEMENTS
AND
GENRES OF
HIPHOP
DANCE
Hip-hop dance is a unique and exciting style of street dance that
is most commonly performed to hip-hop music. Hip-hop dance is
vibrant form of dance that combines a variety of freestyle
movements to create a cultural piece of art. Through its three
main styles of popping, locking, and breaking, hip-hop dance has
evolved into one of the most popular and influential styles of
dance.
History of Hip-hop Dance
Hip-hop dance began during the late 1960`s and early 1970`s originally
inspired by the movements of American dancing, and flourished as a new
style of dance performed on the street for the people.
Hip-hop incorporates aspects of modern dance, tap and swing, integrating
music and complex movements to form artistry.
The early history and roots of hip-hop dance are most often associated with
its beginning on the East Coast, specifically New York City. But the West
Coast also formed its own style of the East Coast hip-hop dance around
the same time.
East Coast hip-hop began with the unique rhythmic combinations created
by Kool DJ Herc, a Jamaican DJ who moved to Brooklyn at the age of 12
and quickly became one of the most popular DJ’s of New York City. DJ
Herc ingeniously thought to extend dance sections of songs to create better
opportunities to showcase the breaking movements of dancers.
West Coast hip-hop took the dance style from the East Coast and made its
own, transforming some of the frozen moves and making them more
robotic. The West Coast was also where two modern hip-hop’s most iconic
styles, popping and locking, were born.
East Coast and West Coast hip-hop dance styles were originally meant to
be two distinct forms of dance. However, as hip-hop grew in popularity, the
two styles began to merge together into a unique street dance culture. Over
time, hip-hop expanded from the street scene, and its choreography
became a sought-after style in dance studious, clubs, and other venues.
During the 80’s and 90’s, hip-hop dance competitions became increasingly
popular with the emergence of “battles,” one-on-one freestyle competition
on the dance floors of clubs surrounded by a circle of fans.
While hip-hop originated as informal street dance meant for the people
present, it has further evolved onto the stage and screen and into an
audience favourite. Hip-hop now is a highly sought-after and dominant style
of dance. It is among the most common styles of dance for music videos,
concerts, and dance competitions. It can be found in dance studious of all
kinds, teaching its unique and energetic compilation of movements to
young and old.
Hip-hop dance has transformed the world of dance and has taken the
dance culture by storm. Many of its distinctive moves are often integrated
into the choreography of more traditional styles of dance and it has even
worked its way into major theatrical and cinematic productions.
ELEMENTS OF HIP-HOP DANCE

When the style of hip-hop was first created, it had six foundational
elements: DJing (aural), MCing (oral), Baetboxing (vocal), Break dancing
(physical), Grafitti (visual), and Fashion.
DJing
DJing started in the 1970s with its trademark innovative breaks and
isolation of the percussive sounds. In these days, DJs like Kool DJ Herc,
Kurtis Blow, and Grand Master Flash combined their sound with brilliant
rhymes, gaining their prominence in the music world.
MCing
Mcing is a form of poetic and verbal “acrobatics.” It was inspired by
ancient African culture and oral tradition and was also known as “rapping”.
Rapping differed from other popular singing forms because of its rapid-fire
wordplay, freestyle rhymes, and lyrics that told stories about urban life as
rappers of the time knew it.
Beatboxing
Beatboxing was also a part of MCing, given that it had a vocal
element. However, instead of a music track, different sounds were made
using the mouth to create a beat and tune that served as the base upon
which raps were spoken.
Breakdancing
It all started with groups like Shaka Zulu Kings, Zulu Queens, and the Rock
Steady Crew. These dancers gave rise to breakdancing, otherwise known
as B-boying or B-girling. Also described as “poetry in motion,” breakdance
combines acrobatics, gymnastics, capoeira, martial arts, and other cultural
dances.
Graffiti
Perhaps the most controversial of all the elements, graffiti has and
continues to be considered “vandalism” to many. It is signified by “tags”, or
creatively designed spray-painted signatures of graffiti artists, sprayed on
walls, garbage cans, and other public surfaces. Today, in various parts of
Toronto, Montreal, and other major cities, approved graffiti has evolved into
enormous, beautiful, colourful illustrations that cover walls and even entire
sides of buildings.
Fashion
An element that has changed a lot over the years is the fashion
aspect of hip-hop. One’s image used to be extremely important in the early
hip-hop scene – boggy jeans, loose-fitting clothing, basketball jerseys,
graphic tees, bandanas, sports shoes and a hat. Fashion was a way to
show that you belonged in the scene and that you understood or
experienced the culture, urban heritage, and current issues. Nowadays,
hip-hop is no longer defined by appearance. Many of today’s hip-hop artists
have created their own look to show their individuality and uniqueness.
SUBMITTED BY:
GROUP 4
MEMBERS:
ABISAN, RIZA MAE
DADIVAS, STELLA MAE
DUBRIA, SHIRLY
FADERAN, LOVELYN
FRANCISCO, RICA
MAGASPAR, SHEILA MAE

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HISTORY,

ELEMENTS OF HIP-HOP DANCE

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