Watching a crew of Breakdancers in Times Square
NEW YORK CITY, USA
Our adventure continues as we explored Times Square in New York City, USA late on a Thursday night. There are numerous flashing lights and billboard ads to walk through but cool street breakdancers are one of the attractions that caught my eye. Hip-Hop and breakdancing culture originated in New York City, USA amongst young Hispanic and African American communities during the late 1960's, as an alternative channel to release their frustrations with gang and class warfare that was rampant at the time. Synonymous with rap, scratch music and graffiti art, the style encompasses the movements of break-dancing and body-popping, and has been internationally recognized since the 1970's. The 1980's saw the emergence of a new style of hip-hop into rap videos, distinguished from original break dancing styles by its concentration on footwork as opposed to acrobatics. Hereafter, the emergence of anti-violent house music saw hip-hop re-invent itself again with a broader range of influences and a much more peaceful and freer expression and a way to stop or reduce the number the unnecessary murders in the streets. Old School / New School, General History The Old School Hip Hop Styles such as Locking, Popping and Break dancing or B-boying emerged from the USA in the 1970’s, and were a result of improvisational steps and moves from the streets and clubs. Old-school music had fast beats which matched the breaking moves. New moves were and are continually being invented by creative and innovative versions and mixing of the Old School Styles. Current trends, cultures and disciplines such as Martial Arts, Reggae and Soul Train also had an effect and resulted in New School Hip Hop styles evolving in the late 1980’s. Moves were very simple with steps such as "The Running Man", "Roger Rabbit", and "Robocop" were popular in this era. These were moves that everybody could do, unlike the Old School Styles. However, new school dance in present time nowadays is much more surprising, unpredictable spontaneous and at times, unbelievable. Many dancers have ‘twisted’ body popping or electric boogie and put in their own moves. Today, Funk and Hip Hop have many individualized styles but the roots are still in Old School Hip Hop and in New School Hip Hop.