History

• Breakdancing became popular in the 1980s. It was promoted by the media as the hip-hop fashion of dancing during that time and faded in popularity after a few years. This type of dancing began as a way for rival gangs to work out differences and set the location for a fight. The fight was also called a rumble. Bronx gangs met on neutral territory the night before to party before a fight. The dance-off, which pitted the leaders against each other, was similar to the fight planned. It was dancing with gestures and motions but no fighting. The winner was the one who could make up new moves that that other members could not. In the 1970s this style of dancing evolved among youth of the Bronx.
  
  

Significance

• Breakdancing got its start when disc jockeys began string breaks off of the popular dance records. A break is a musical track without vocal and baselines--it's where all you hear is the percussion music. This music became the ideal type for freestyle dancing with expression known as breakdancing. Most breaks in most music tracks are not long enough for breakdancing. That is why the music was engineered to be used for dancing in this style. Sometimes breakdancing was a way for rival gangs to settle disputes without violence--instead, dancing to see who the best dancer was. Oftentimes, though, deciding the winner led to confrontation and violence anyway.
  
  

Function

• Michael Jackson's robot dance helped to push breakdancing into popular culture in the 1970s. By the 1980s it enjoyed a worldwide popularity as a mainstream dance style. Jackson's moonwalk and M. C. Hammer's moves using his song "You Can't Touch This" helped push this dance style over the top. It transformed the gang ritual to a pop culture style of dancing. A group called the Rock Steady Crew helped to separate this dance style from gang violence.The group performed in Manhattan nightclubs and eventually appeared in the movie "Flashdance." It gave the dance style respectibility.
  
  

Types

• There are approximately four techniques that make up breakdancing foot moves. The first is known as top rock. It is any foot moves performed from a standing position using style and rhythm. It borders on hip-hop dance moves. It is an introduction to the dance that leads to more complicated movements. Down rock, also known as footwork, involves moves on the floor using the hands and feet together. The dancer demonstrates his or her talent in foot speed and control. Power moves are dance moves that require physical strength and stamina to master. This type of dance step uses the upper-body strength, and often the dancer is on their hands when performing. The breakdance ends with the freeze a move, where the dancer ends in a stop-motion physical pose that has style.
  
  

Features

• Some forms of music are important to the break dance tempo. Certain forms of jazz, soul, funk, disco and rock and roll have been used for breakdance music. The fashion, or way the dancers dress, often defines breakdancing, too. Some dancers wear flat-soled shoes with patterned laces and matching hats, shirts, pants and nylon tracksuits. Some wear hooded nylon jackets and trucker shoes. Function and style is important--like shoes that have low weight, good grip and durability. Bandanas and wristbands are often part of the gear used in breakdancing. Comfortable pants and shirts made of cotton or nylon often fit the style.