Hip-Hop

Hip-hop is very unique compared to the many other styles of dance. Unlike ballet or jazz, hip-hop is very loose and doesn't require much technique. Hip-hop is very grounded and funky. Hip-hop dancers usually wear loose clothing and sneakers. There are many different forms of hip-hop such as popping, breaking, locking, house, and lyrical hip-hop. Popping has to with flexing and releasing your muscles quickly. There are some experts in popping that can pop many different muscles in your body you wouldn't even imagine. When you flex, and release your muscles, your muscles 'pop'-- and this in incorporated into dance movements. Breaking has do with a lot of floor work. In order to be able to break, you need to have a lot of arm and upper body strength. While breaking, you have to be very careful because you can get easily injured.

Hip-hop has originated in the Bronx in New York, when dancers would dance in the streets as a way to express themselves. They would interpret the beat of the songs into their bodies, which is where popping and locking comes from. Hip-hop is usually danced to R&B, and or rap type of music. Many people gather into groups to form crews, and crews all around the world get together at events to compete against one another. For example, America's Best Dance Crew, a television show were the producers of the show audition crews to battle against one another. Since there are many different forms of hip-hop, people have their own individual style, which makes everybody dance unique. Hip-hop in my opinion, attracts more people because it is such a pleasure to watch and it's entertaining. Hip-hop, personally, is my favorite because its something I enjoy and have fun doing.

This link is a show held by Macy's where the first winners of America's Best Dance Crew, the Jabbawokeez perform. This is an example of hip-hop today. Click Here.