Summary of Urban Dances

Goals

1. Gain insight into key urban dance styles: hip hop, breakdance, popping, locking, and more.

2. Recognise and understand the unique characteristics of each urban dance style, including freedom, creativity, expressiveness, and movement.

Contextualization

Urban dance forms are a vibrant cultural expression rooted in the streets and communities of major cities. Styles like hip hop, breakdance, popping, and locking not only serve as entertainment, but also as powerful expressions of identity and resistance. They evolved as a means of communication and community-building among young people from diverse backgrounds, reflecting their distinct social and cultural stories. For instance, breakdancing emerged in the Bronx, New York, in the 1970s within hip hop culture, acting as a voice and source of empowerment for many youths at the time.

Subject Relevance

To Remember!

Hip Hop

Hip hop stands out as one of the most recognised urban dance styles, originating within the African American and Latino communities of New York during the 1970s. It's marked by lively and rhythmic movements that often harmonise with rap music. Hip hop dance promotes creativity and personal expression, acting as a mode of communication and a stamp of cultural identity.

• Origin: African American and Latino communities in New York during the 1970s.

• Characteristics: Lively and rhythmic movements, frequently tied to rap music.

• Concepts: Creativity and personal expression are at its core.

Breakdance

Breakdance, or breaking, is an urban dance style renowned for its acrobatic ground moves. It developed in the Bronx, New York, around the same era as hip hop and serves as one of hip hop culture's most visual forms of expression. Breakdancers, or b-boys and b-girls, execute spins, freezes, and power moves which demand strength, agility, and coordination.

• Origin: Bronx, New York, during the 1970s.

• Characteristics: Acrobatic ground movements like spins, freezes, and power moves.

• Concepts: Strength, agility, and coordination are vital.

Popping and Locking

Popping and locking are urban dance styles that surfaced in California during the 1970s. Popping entails quick muscle contractions and relaxations to produce a 'pop' effect in movements, while locking features rapid, crisp movements punctuated by dramatic pauses. Both styles cherish precision and musicality and are often showcased in solo performances and dance battles.

• Origin: California during the 1970s.

• Characteristics: Popping (rapid muscle contractions) and locking (quick, crisp movements).

• Concepts: Precision and musicality are essential.

Practical Applications

• Urban dancers can take on roles as choreographers for music videos and live performances, creating showcases that highlight their creativity and skills.

• Urban dance instructors can teach in studios, schools, and community initiatives, spreading knowledge and promoting urban culture.

• Dancers frequently engage in competitions and battles, leading to career opportunities at both local and international events.

Key Terms

• Hip Hop: An urban dance style characterised by lively and rhythmic movements, tied to hip hop culture.

• Breakdance: An urban dance style known for its acrobatic ground movements, originating in the Bronx, New York.

• Popping: An urban dance style focusing on rapid muscle contractions to create a distinct 'pop' in dance movements.

• Locking: An urban dance style marked by quick, crisp movements and dramatic pauses.

• Freedom: Refers to the ability to express oneself authentically through dance.

• Creativity: The capacity to innovate and devise fresh movements and routines.

• Expressiveness: The ability to convey emotions and feelings through dance.

Questions for Reflections

• How can the freedom, creativity, and expressiveness found in urban dance be reflected in other areas of your life?

• In what ways might the skills honed through urban dance influence your future career?

• What hurdles did you encounter while crafting your choreography, and what strategies did you use to overcome them?

Craft Your Own Urban Dance Routine

To solidify your understanding of today's concepts, you'll create an urban dance routine in groups, incorporating elements of freedom, creativity, and expressiveness.

Instructions

• Form groups of 4 to 5 members.

• Select an urban dance style (hip hop, breakdance, popping, or locking).

• In 20 minutes, develop a 1 to 2-minute routine that reflects freedom, creativity, and expressiveness.

• Use key movements from your chosen style and unleash your creativity.

• After creating, each group will showcase their choreography to the class.

• Post-presentations, reflect on the challenges faced and lessons learned throughout the activity.