SPHERES OF INFLUENCE
This New York City borough is widely recognized as the birthplace of hip hop culture in the early 1970s.
What is the Bronx?
Credited as the "Father of Hip Hop Dance," this DJ and dancer from the Bronx introduced the technique of isolating and repeating breakbeats, giving rise to breakdancing.
Who is DJ Kool Herc?
his dance style involves dancers mimicking the movements of a mechanical figure, using stiff and jerky motions to appear robotic.
What is roboting?
This dance style fuses the technical precision of jazz dance with the groove and improvisation of funk, often seen in commercial dance performances and pop music videos.
What is jazz funk?
This 1996 track by a legendary Brooklyn rapper features one of the most famous head-nodding beats in hip hop history and is known for its smooth flow and lyrics about "living the good life."
What is Big Poppa by The Notorious B.I.G.?
Combining precise group choreography with hip hop, this dance style is a hallmark of South Korean pop music groups like BTS.
What is K-pop dance?
Born Adolfo Quiñones, this dancer was a member of The Lockers and starred as Ozone in the 1984 film "Breakin'," helping to popularize street dance worldwide.
Who is Shabba Doo?
In popping, this technique involves contracting and relaxing muscles quickly to create a sharp, snapping effect in the body.
What is hitting (or popping)?
One of the foundational ideas of street jazz is its fusion of traditional jazz techniques with this urban dance style, often seen in commercial music videos.
What is hip hop?
This 1983 hit by Michael Jackson introduced the world to the moonwalk and features a street jazz-influenced dance routine performed during a live broadcast, making it one of the most iconic moments in dance history.
What is Billie Jean?
Originating in Jamaica, this energetic dance style combines hip hop with Caribbean moves and has influenced street jazz choreography.
What is Dancehall?
This dancer and choreographer from Fresno, California, founded the Electric Boogaloos and is credited with creating the popping dance style.
Who is Boogaloo Sam (Sam Solomon)?
Originating in Los Angeles' LGBT clubs in the 1970s, this dance style features rapid arm movements and poses, often performed to disco music.
What is waacking?
In hip hop, this concept refers to using dance as a tool for battling and showcasing skills in a competitive format, often in cyphers or organized events.
What is battling?
This 2003 Missy Elliott song became famous not only for its innovative music video but also for the unique street dance routine, including breakdancing and hip hop popping, choreographed by Hi-Hat.
What is Work It?
This style of graffiti art emerged as one of the "four elements" of hip hop culture, becoming a global symbol of street art.
What is aerosol graffiti (or graffiti writing)?
Known as the "Mother of Hip Hop," this pioneering female dancer and choreographer was a member of The Lockers and helped bring street dance to mainstream audiences.
Who is Toni Basil?
Adapted from gymnastics, this power move in breaking involves the dancer spinning with legs extended in a circular motion while balancing on their hands.
What is the Thomas Flair?
This style of hip hop dance emphasizes improvisation and involves complex footwork, fast arm movements, and stylized poses, often performed in the context of battles.
What is popping?
In 1991, this group released a track with a hard-hitting beat and lyrics that exposed police brutality in Los Angeles, becoming an anthem for West Coast hip hop.
What is F** tha Police* by N.W.A.?
Jazz and hip hop cultures combined in the 1990s to form this genre, typified by groups like A Tribe Called Quest and The Roots, blending jazz instrumentation with hip hop beats and lyrics.
What is jazz rap?
As a key member of the Rock Steady Crew, this b-boy was instrumental in popularizing breaking globally and organizing significant hip hop events like the "B-boy Summit."
Who is Crazy Legs (Richard Colón)?
This intricate footwork style, originating in Chicago, is characterized by lightning-fast movements and is both a dance style and a genre of electronic music.
What is Chicago footwork?
In street jazz, this foundational concept involves blending theatricality and expressive performance with complex dance movements, creating a performance that tells a story and captivates the audience.
What is performance storytelling?
This 1940s jazz standard, later performed by Duke Ellington, was reinterpreted in many street jazz routines during the 1980s and 1990s, making it a cornerstone of jazz dance classes.
What is It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)?