Breakdancing, also known as breaking or b-boying, is a form of street dance that originated in the Bronx in the 1970s. It is a form of hip hop culture that has become a global phenomenon, with dancers and crews around the world showcasing their skills and creativity. Read on to look into the history of breakdancing, from its origins in the Bronx to its rise as a worldwide cultural force.
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| Photo by Anna Frizen |
Origins of Breakdancing
The origins of breakdancing can be traced back to the street culture of the Bronx in the 1970s. Young people in the Bronx, especially those from low-income communities, were drawn to music and dance as a way to express themselves and escape the challenges of everyday life. DJ Kool Herc, one of the pioneers of hip hop music, is often credited with inventing breakdancing by using his DJ equipment to create extended drum breaks in funk and soul music that dancers could use to showcase their moves.
The Birth of B-Boying
In the early days of breakdancing, the dance style was known as b-boying or breaking. Dancers, also known as b-boys or b-girls, would battle each other in the streets, showing off their moves and competing for respect and recognition. The dance style was characterised by acrobatic and athletic moves, including spins, freezes, and power moves. B-boying was a way for young people to express themselves creatively and build a sense of community.
The Rise of Hip Hop Culture
Breakdancing was just one element of the larger hip hop culture that was emerging in the Bronx in the 1970s. Hip hop culture included not just music and dance, but also graffiti art, fashion, and spoken word poetry. Together, these elements created a vibrant and creative community that was a reflection of the challenges and aspirations of urban youth culture.
The Influence of Pop Culture
As breakdancing began to gain popularity in the Bronx, it also began to attract attention from the wider world of pop culture. The 1984 movie "Breakin'" brought breakdancing into the mainstream, and helped to popularize the dance style around the world. Breakdancing also became a staple of music videos and television shows, with dancers showcasing their skills to millions of viewers.
The Golden Age of Breakdancing
The 1980s were a golden age for breakdancing, as dancers and crews around the world began to push the boundaries of the dance style and create new moves and techniques. Battles and competitions became more organized & Breakdancing crews also began to form, with groups like the Rock Steady Crew and the New York City Breakers becoming international stars.
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The Decline & The Resurgence
The popularity of breakdancing began to wane in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as other forms of hip hop culture, such as rap music and graffiti art, became more popular. Many dancers and crews moved on to other pursuits, while others continued to practice and innovate within the breakdancing community. Despite the decline in popularity, breakdancing remained an important part of hip hop culture and continued to influence other forms of dance and music.
The return of breakdancing to the mainstream began in the early 2000s, with the emergence of reality television shows like America's Best Dance Crew and So You Think You Can Dance. These shows brought breakdancing to a wider audience, and helped to spark a new wave of interest in the dance style. At the same time, social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram provided a new platform for breakdancers to showcase their skills and connect with other dancers from around the world.
Breakdancing Today
Today, breakdancing is a global phenomenon, with dancers and crews from around the world showcasing their skills and creativity. Breakdancing has also become a competitive sport, with events like the Red Bull BC One World Final and the Olympics featuring breakdancing competitions. Breakdancers continue to push the boundaries of the dance style, creating new moves and techniques that inspire the next generation of dancers.
5 Interesting Facts About Breakdancing
- Breakdancing was originally known as "b-boying" or "breaking," and was part of the larger hip hop culture that emerged in the Bronx in the 1970s.
- The first organized breakdancing crew was the Rock Steady Crew, which was formed in the Bronx in 1977.
- Breakdancing became popular in the mainstream in the 1980s, with movies like "Breakin'" and music videos featuring breakdancing becoming major pop culture phenomena.
- The popularity of breakdancing waned in the late 1980s and 1990s, but the dance style experienced a resurgence in the early 2000s, thanks to reality television shows and social media.
- Today, breakdancing is a global phenomenon, with dancers and crews from around the world showcasing their skills and creativity.
Who are 20 of the most famous male and female breakdancers of all time?
- Crazy Legs (Richard Colón)
- Bboy Lilou (Ali Ramdani)
- Bgirl Jilou (Julie Hinds)
- Bgirl Roxy (Roxanne Hidalgo)
- Bboy Pocket (Maurizio Inzaghi)
- Bgirl Fly Siu Mai (Heidi Chan)
- Bgirl Paulina (Paulina Mlynarska)
- Bboy Junior (Roussel Jun)
- RoxRite (Omar Delgado)
- Bgirl Terra (Terminator)
- Bboy Hong10 (Kim Hong-Yeol)
- Bboy Thesis (Tuan Anh)
- Bgirl Eddie (Edina Seleskovic)
- Bgirl Rascal (Alina Rasyid)
- Bboy Moy (Omar Davila)
- Bgirl Ayumi (Ayumi Fukushima)
- Bgirl AT (Annika Torres)
- Bgirl Narumi (Narumi Lee)
- Bgirl Ami (Ami Yamasaki)
- Bgirl Shorty (Elisabeth Roxas)
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and there are many other talented breakdancers out there.