popin pete. an o.g. member of the electric boogaloos breaks down a breif history of the electric boogaloo style which is credited to his older brother, boogaloo sam.these next few clips show popin pete and skeeter rabbit (RIP) showing different techniques and styles within the electric boogaloo dance. amazing technique by both these legends. some of these styles are rarely seen or taught outside of the electric boogaloos. enjoy!Afrika Bambataa on hiphop, gang culture and the 5th element.
I'd like to meet:
What is "Funk Styles"?In the 80's when streetdancing blew up, the media often incorrectly used the term "breakdancing" as an umbrella term for most the streetdancing styles that they saw. What many people didn't know was this within these styles, other sub-cultures existed, each with their own identities.Breakdancing, or b-boying as it is more appropriately known as, is known to have its roots in the east coast and was heavily influenced by break beats and hip hop. The term "funk styles" was coined to give what we do it's own identity and separate it from hip-hop. Popping, locking and boogaloo were styles that were created in the WEST COAST during the FUNK ERA, and while these styles were adopted into the hip-hop movement, its roots should still be recognized as pure funk. Hence the term, FUNK STYLES.The Birth of Popping and Electric Boogaloo StyleIn a town called Fresno, California, there lived a shy boy named Sam. Inspired to create his own style of dance after seeing the original Lockers perform on TV, in 1975 Sam started putting together movements which later became known as boogaloo or boog style.The name came from the old James Brown song "Do the Boogaloo". One day when Sam was dancing around the house, his uncle said "Boy, do that boogaloo!" A puzzled Sam asked his uncle, "What's boogaloo?". "That means you're gettin down" his uncle replied. From that day on he was known as Boogaloo Sam.Not many people know what electric boogaloo style is or how to do it. Electric boogaloo is a fluid style that uses every part of the body. It involves using angles and incorporating fluid movements to make everything flow together, often using rolls of the hips, knees, head. Making your legs do wierd things, and covering a lot of space on stage using "walkouts" or other transitions to get from one spot to the next spot. Although it is described as fluid, please note that electric boogaloo is different from the style known as waving. (Also please note that electic boogaloo dance should not be confused with the original boogaloo dance style created from new york, which came before electric boogaloo. that of course, has another history and different story in itself.)Popping was another style created by Sam. People get confused about what this style is. They think it is the name for all the styles that came out of the funk movement (1970's California). It is not. Popping is a style in itself, that involves snapping the legs back, and flexing your muscles continuously to the beat to give a jerky/snapping effect. Popping is a unique style. It's not the universal name for all the funk styles. If you pop, then you're a popper. If you wave, then you're a waver. If you Boogaloo, you're a boogalooer, and so on.Sam would say the word "pop" (under his breath) every time he flexed while he danced, similar to the way someone might make machine noises when they do the robot, Sam would say the word "pop, pop, pop". People would always say to him, "Hey do that popping stuff!"A lot of people ask what Electric Boogaloo style is. Electric Boogaloo style is combining popping and boogaloo style together. The two styles compliment each other well and is known worldwide as the signature style of the EB's.OTHER STYLESWhile Sam was creating popping and boogaloo, others were creating and practicing unique styles of their own. Back in the day many different areas in the west coast were known for their own distinct styles, each with their own rich history behind them. Some of these areas included Oakland, Sacramento and San Fransisco.Although the EB's primarily pop and boogaloo, we still like to mix it up and encourage all dancers out there to learn and mix other styles as well.Some of these styles include:Air posing
Animation
Boogaloo
Bopping
Centipede
Crazy Legs
Cobra
Dime Stopping Filmore
Floating/Gliding
Hitting
Popping
Puppet
Robot
Saccin
Scarecrow Snaking
Spiderman
Sticking
Strobing
Strutting
Ticking
Tutting
WavingThe Electric Boogaloos would like to give respect to the other OGs and innovators of all styles who contributed to make the street dance scene what it is today. Keep the funk alive!(Small excerpt from the Electric Boogaloos website. please visit their website for full knowledge of the funk style dance. www.electricboogaloos.com)
Music:
will listen to almost anything. as long as i can dance to it. pretty much anything worth popping to. the funkier the better!micheal jackson vid. this video explains the moonwalk and what it really is. jeff daniel, demonstrates what the moonwalk and backslide really is. watch and learn about the misconceptions of the moonwalk and backslide moves.
Television:
mr.wiggles at juste deboute 2008. here he is just straight up poppin. peace
Books:
knowledge is power. so here's some knowledge at its' most powerful. this clip is about Kool Herc, the father of hiphop, explaining where this culture came from.MR.WIGGLES TEACHING A CLASS ABOUT THE INSIGHTS AND PHILOSOPHY OF POPPING
Heroes:
HIPHOP DANCING--you can't learn to be a HIP HOP dancer in a studio....
-you gotta pay dues in the cyphers...
-you gotta battle....
-you gotta live and breath HIP HOP as a culture....
-most of these artist don't even listen to HIP HOP, or even like it....
-most of these recording artist learn steps in a studio by hiring choreographers who go to clubs to see what the latest trends are, and incorporate it with they version of street jazz meets, freestyle....
-but if you ask half of these choreographers to bus, or get down....
-you will be very disappointed.....-Quote from Mr.Wiggles of Rock Steady Crew-
My hero/ inspiration/ teacher, the legendary mr.wiggles. this is a compilation of his dancing throughout his lustrious career.visit mr.wiggles' website for full knowledge of hiphop history, great dvd's and links to other hiphip related sites.this man needs no introduction. popin pete is another influence on myself. not only that, but i can proudly call him a long-distance teacher and mentor.Message from The Electric Boogaloo Family......On Friday, May 12th, 2006, Steven Nichols AKA Skeeter Rabbit, began his journey in the afterlife. A true warrior and tremendous spirit, Skeet leaves behind a legacy and an afterglow that will illuminate the lives of many for years to come. His wonderful attributes have left a permanent presence and impact on those he loved and cared for.Skeet was unmistakably larger than life. Although he stood at a hulking 6'4, even this massive body could barely house his overwhelming sensitivity and concern for his family and friends. Not only was he a gentle giant, Skeet's warrior spirit protected and nurtured those he loved. Able to balance mercy and wrath, his position as "Sergeant at Arms" was upheld to the highest degree.A born leader, Skeet constantly shared his views and guided many through their struggles and achievements. Wise and compassionate, he was blessed with the ability to soothe and heal those who turned to him for strength and direction.Those who had the privilege to know him will never forget him. His youthful character, marvelous sense of humor and profound intensity captured our hearts and offered us a breath of fresh air in a world full of constant struggle.Skeeter Rabbit's legendary status and pioneering individuality continues to inspire and shape the "Funkstyles" and Hip Hop communities worldwide. As a senior member of the Electric Boogaloos, he relentlessly performed and passed on the dance forms "popping" and "locking" to younger generations. Scientifically presenting formulas and equations, he helped to preserve the sacred Electric Boogaloo blueprint. Skeet was a brilliant being. His energy and passion for artistic expression was contagious and set the standards for many.A true folk hero and a soldier of culture, Skeet's influence lives through those of us who continue to strive towards a cultural imperative.We don't die, we multiply!Skeeter Rabbit, K.C., C.C. Rider, Steven Nichols, we will miss you tremendously and you will always live in our hearts. May God have mercy on your soul, grant you peace and comfort your family and friends.written by:
Fabel
Rock Steady Crew
Zulu Nation
Electric Boogaloo Family...........SOME OF MY HEROS AND INSPIRATIONS.....mr.wiggles, boogaloo sam, popin pete, suga pop,lil boogs, puppet boozer, robot dane, afrika bambatta, kool herc, jazzy j, legend, salah, ken swift, crazylegs, marvelous motion crew from houston texas, poppin taco, shabbadoo, boogaloo shrimp, popmaster fabel, my boys: fue and tou, don campbell, greg campbellock jr., skeeter rabbit r.i.p, jeff daniel, usher, rocksteady crew, zulu nation, aquaboogy,motion sickness crew, machine gone funk crew, jsmooth, bionic, asia one, jo-dance, orson welles, david blaine, criss angel, robert-houdin, david copperfield, and countless others. will add more later on. pretty much anybody and everybody that inspires me to be a better dancer, entertainer and person.
