Break Dancing

The first djs would only play the breakdown of the record; they would play just the beat of the record. A break beat can come from any record that has a break down beat in it. So famous djs would only play the breaks of records and people would dance over the breaks of the record and these were called break dancers.

Break dancing is one of the most popular forms of dancing all over the world. People would take their aggression out in dancing, instead of going out and robbing people or participating in gang related activities. Hip hop dancing began in the Bronx, and requires a lot of energy, athleticism, and creativity. It is an important element of hip hop, just as important as emceeing, beatboxing, and djing.

There are many different styles of dances in break dancing. There are 7 basic moves: the drops, the foot work, the floor rock, the power moves, the top rock, the suicides, and the freezes (Kulkarni). These basic moves also break down into various sub categories. The most fascinating part about break dancing is that people can create their own moves all the time, there are little to no rules when it comes to breaking, so any move can be made up.

I really love how some break dancing moves are influenced by martial arts. Martial arts techniques and fighting styles are beautiful in their own way, and the way people utilize them as part of their dance is captivating. I was watching an old Kung-Fu movie one day and noticed a lot of the moves were similar to break dancing moves.

Capoeira, which is Brazilian martial arts, that consists of a stylized dance, performed in a circle called the 'roda', with music playing in the background. It involves self-defense, combat, dance-like expression, acrobatics, and music. Capoeira isn't fought, it is 'played'. Then two capoeiristas enter the roda or circle and perform a dance-like battle (What is Capoeira). I find Capoeira interesting because it reminds me a lot of break dancing. There are probably many break dancers who are influenced by Capoeira, and incorporate it into their dance.
This is what a Capoeira performance looks like:

Kulkarni, Arjun. "Breakdance Moves List." Buzzle.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2013. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/breakdance-moves-list.html>.

"WHAT IS CAPOEIRA?" Get Fit While Having a Blast with Capoeira! N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2013. <http://capoeirasd.com/what-is-capoeira/>.