Hip Hop Dance: Moves and Music

So often I have heard people saying, "I can’t dance at all" and it has made me wonder if it really holds true. There was a time when I was probably the on-looker at most social dos and I always said ‘It’s fun to watch’ rather than to hit the dance floor. But contrary to what I told the people around me, I realized I was just too scared or plain ‘chicken’ (to be honest) to go out there and unleash myself. That was until I decided that I would do something about it.

I always found the dance floor to host a wide variety of ‘specimens’ ranging from the really good to the average person who believes in moving softly to the beats. But when I actually decided that I would learn to dance, I realized there was more to it than meets the eye. Dance is about self-expression; it is about feeling good and shedding all your inhibitions. Upon exploring, I realized there are so many styles and one can even find a particular style that would help one to express himself in the best way possible.

From Latin American to jazz styles, good old break-dance to the prim and proper ballroom dancing. There are really a wide variety of options. One such form that caught my fancy was the hip-hop style of dancing. It was really hip, cool and it required the individual to infuse his own attitude into the steps.

Think hip-hop and one instantly thinks of hip and cool ‘gangsters’ rapping somewhere on the dimly lit streets, dressed in their typical loose cargos and funky tee’s. And of course, topped with loads of accessories like heavy chains and bold rings that ooze attitude and style. But the one thing that really grabs your attention is their flexible form of dancing.

Unlike jazz, ballet and ballroom dancing, hip-hop style of dancing allows the dancer to experience complete freedom while moving across the floor. For styles like jazz, ballet or any other classical style; there is a technique that is mandatory, which is infused with the choreography in the later stages.

With no age restriction to learn this dance form, it remains as one of the most popular styles to date. All you need is the right attitude and one should learn to dance from the soul.

Hip-hop refers to the street style of dancing and there can be no single person who can walk away with the credit for this style that is still popular in terms of music and dance.

Switch to the mid 1970’s, South Bronx, New York city, where we see the first glimpses of this form of culture (Predominant amongst the Afro Americans). Today, hip-hop style of dancing combined with rapping, blend synonymously with each other.

Break dancing was one of the first and original forms to be associated with hip-hop during the early 1960s. The 1990s saw new styles emerging from this basic form. Funk dancing, krump, popping and locking, jigging are just some of the forms to name a few.

A lot of people believe in taking lessons to master this style of dance. This has raised quite a few eyebrows about having ‘planned’ moves across the floor, which is quite contrary to the origins of this free movement of dancing. But for those who wish to be jigging across the floor and look like a pro when at it, it becomes a necessity to enroll themselves for those grooving lessons.

Hip-hop is now more than just a dance form; it is a culture and a way of life embraced by those who really identify with it through its various components like rapping or break dancing.

When it comes to hip-hop, it would not be complete without the mention of groups like ‘Salt-n-Pepa’, ‘En-Vogue’, ‘Coolio’, ‘Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince’, ‘Eminem’ etc. who became immensely popular through their own distinctive and unique style of rapping. ‘Yeah! You can’t touch this’ is what drove dance-oriented rapper MC Hammer all the way up on the music charts. ‘Please Hammer, don’t hurt ‘em’ sold over 10 million copies and inspired a whole new generation of ‘Hammer look-alikes’ on the streets. Those baggy pants found a way into the wardrobe and have evolved with time.

Be it the super hot combo of ‘Salt-n-Pepa’ and ‘En-Vogue’ grooving to ‘Whatta Man’ or the ‘Digibal Planets’ being ‘Cool Like Dat’ (‘Rebirth of Slick’), ‘Coolio’ with ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ or ‘The Fugees’ version of "Killing me softly’, hip-hop is here to stay and rule! It has inspired a whole new generation and fan following all over the world since its origination. It is therefore not a surprise that it has carved a niche for itself in the world of fashion as well!

Since olden days, hip-hop fashion has evolved with the times and now holds a prominent position in the fashion scenario. The 1970s and the mid 1980s saw hip-hop icons like ‘LL Cool J’ and ‘Run DMC’ sport bright colored T-shirts, loose pants combined with designer jackets and sneakers. Fitting caps, oversized earrings (Popularized by ‘Salt-n-Pepa’), heavy chains and colorful wristbands completed the look.

One can see a lot of traditional African influences in the late 1980s to the early 1990s. Baseball caps, neon-colored clothing and sometimes even wearing your clothes backwards! The trend was catching on.

The mid 1990s to the late 1990s witnessed some more changes. ‘Gangsta-rap’ became popular and with it came some more influences such as tattoos, bandannas and baggy pants that were worn low. Dark denim gained popularity but it had its influence from the prison wear of that age.

Today the baggy style has made way for tight denims, short skirts worn with leggings, T-shirts with short sleeves, worn over long sleeved tees, bright colored wrist/arm bands combined with funky hair-dos!

Despite the gradual changes over the years, hip-hop still remains as one of the most popular styles and is now a culture in itself. With its growing popularity, one only needs to wait and watch for the next emerging trend. If you still haven’t got the hang of hip-hop, then simple turn on the music and let your body flow with the rhythm. As Will Smith puts it, it’s all about getting jiggy with it!