THE CULTURE OF BREAKDANCING
Breakdancing is one of the key elements of hip hop culture, along with rapping, DJing and graffiti art. It originated in the South Bronx, New York City in the 1970s and has continued to grow and gain popularity since then. Breaking is characterized by its energetic movements which includes toprock, floorwork, powermoves, and freezes. It’s an activity that encourages creativity and originality, and is open for all to take part in. A large part of the breakdancing culture is to participate in battles and cyphers. These are similar to competitions, where bboys and bgirls dance it out against each other and show off their skills.
The Origins of Breakdancing
Breakdancing is a form of street dance that originated in the South Bronx of NYC in the 70s. The harsh environment of the Bronx was marked by poverty and gang activity, leading young people to search for creative outlets and forms of self-expression to help them move past these unfortunate circumstances. Breakdancing is a combination of various influences, such as acrobatics, martial arts, African dance traditions, and funk and hip hop music. Breakdancing rapidly gained popularity and emerged as one of the key elements of hip hop culture.
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You Got Served!
Cyphers and battling are a crucial component of breakdancing culture. It adds a level of competition and camaraderie to the sport, and allow for breakdancers to showcase their skills and engage in friendly competition. It's also a way for dancers to reach out to each other and connect.
What's a Cypher? Cyphers, or dance circles, are spaces where breakdancers gather to dance and show off their moves. It serves as a platform for dancers to express their creativity, individuality and style. It's less competitive than a battle and is more so just for fun.
What's a Battle? Battles are more competitive than cyphers, in which breakdancing crews or individual dancers go head-to-head for various rounds. The performances are assessed by judges, who select winners based off of the difficulty, originality and execution of their sets. The competitive nature of battles encourages breakdancers push past their limits and develop unique styles and techniques to stand out from other dancers.
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While battles and possibly cyphers are competitive activities, respect and sportsmanship is emphasized in breakdancing culture. After a battle or cypher, the dancers usually show appreciation and admiration for their opponents' rounds, and are followed by handshakes to show mutual respect.
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Breakdancing Crews
A large part of breakdancing culture is to form or join crews within the community. Crews are groups of breakdancers who train, perform and compete together. Crews provide a sense of belonging and support for dancers and help further promote the dance form to a wider range of audiences. There are many key aspects to breakdancing crews. For example, crews may have their own names and logos, or even a unique and distinctive approach to the sport, which sets them apart from other groups. Crews also typically engage in battles and performances, sometimes even internationally. While competition is important, crews emphasize mentorship, cooperation and the exchange of ideas amongst themselves and sometimes with other groups.
Moves and Skills of Breakdancing
Breakdancing is characterized by a wide variety of moves. These moves require a combination of strength, flexibility, creativity and rhythm. Some iconic moves and skills include: Toprock, footwork, freezes and powermoves. Toprock is standing footwork, while footwork consists of moves on the ground on both hands and feet which includes spins and slides. Freezes are static poses, and are often performed on hands, elbows or the head. Powermoves are acrobatic movements that require exceptional strength and flexibility to do. They are based around momentum to gain power throughout the movement. Powermove are among the most difficult moves in breakdancing but also the flashiest.
The Breakdancing Aesthetic
Since breakdancing emerged alongside with Hip Hop culture, the fashion and aesthetics typically reflect the urban influences of NYC. Bboys and Bgirls can be commonly seen wearing baggy clothes as it allows for unrestricted movement. This includes baggy shirts, shorts, pants, jackets, etc. Hats and bandanas are also common, as well as accessories such as chains and wristbands. Breakers that are members of a crew may wear clothing that represents their group, which is typically seen in battles. However, as with any form of fashion, trends may vary as breakdancing culture encourages self expression and individuality.
Sources
“Break Dancing.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed July 30, 2023.
https://www.britannica.com/art/break-dance.Breakdancing basics: A guide to breaking’s history and moves - 2023 (no date) MasterClass. Available at:
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/breakdancing-guide (Accessed: 30 July 2023).
https://dancepoise.com/breakdance-moves-list
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https://www.vice.com/en/article/ev3v4z/exploring-the-birth-of-the-b-boy-in-70s-new-york
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