2 definitions by enveoner
the term "breakdancing" or 'breakdancer' was coined by the media in the late 80's as the dance became highly commercialised from more people getting involved in the hip-hop scene.
b-boys were getting alot of exposure in movies, commercials and were often seen dancing on the streets. People were amazed by the breath-taking maneuvers that a breaker would preform eg. flips, headspins, backspins, windmills, flares etc...
Very soon the public wanted to do 'them cool tricks that spin and stuff' to please the crowd. Therefor only learning the 'power' moves that a b-boy preforms and not learning the fundamentals of b-boying such as toprock, footwork and freezes.
breakdancers are usually looked down apon on the b-boying community as true b-boys break because they love dancing not to gain attention from a crowd.
b-boys were getting alot of exposure in movies, commercials and were often seen dancing on the streets. People were amazed by the breath-taking maneuvers that a breaker would preform eg. flips, headspins, backspins, windmills, flares etc...
Very soon the public wanted to do 'them cool tricks that spin and stuff' to please the crowd. Therefor only learning the 'power' moves that a b-boy preforms and not learning the fundamentals of b-boying such as toprock, footwork and freezes.
breakdancers are usually looked down apon on the b-boying community as true b-boys break because they love dancing not to gain attention from a crowd.
"Yo! lets go and learn some of those cool spins that we saw on that RUN DMC clip! Yo! i be like the illest at breakdancing and pull all the hoes and shiznit!"
by enveoner September 12, 2005
The words 'Break Boy and Break Girl' originated from the Bronx of New York. In the early 70's Dj Kool Herc would play the 'breaks' of songs. Meaning, he would only play parts of the songs where it was beat only, no lyrics. This would excite the people to dance. So in turn girls and guys who danced to these 'breaks' were called 'Break Boy and Break Girl' or 'B-Boy; B-Girl' in short.
B-boying started with the James Brown's 1969 "Get on the Good Foot". When on stage James Brown would dance around with such energy and almost acrobatic moves, many people began mimicking his moves, so they called it the "Good Foot". The 'Good Foot' was mainly dancing around that involved drops or spins on the floor. Thus, the beginning evolution of breaking.
During the 1970's martial arts were also very popular, so B-Boys (for the most part) incorporated martial art stunts to 'wow' the crowds. And today b-boying has evolved into a highly demanding dance physically and mentally. With massive b-boy dance competitions being held around the world, such as BOTY (Battle of the Year) in Germany and the FreeStyle Sessions.
It is important to know that the term b-boy cannot be used for an emcee, DJ or rapper. Only breakers can be called b-boys.
Also b-boys do not like to be called "Break-dancers", as this was a term coined by the media in the 80's, and is not a 'true' hip-hop' phrase. Break-dancers are dancers who have no style and show their powermoves to get props from people who have no idea about breaking.
B-boying started with the James Brown's 1969 "Get on the Good Foot". When on stage James Brown would dance around with such energy and almost acrobatic moves, many people began mimicking his moves, so they called it the "Good Foot". The 'Good Foot' was mainly dancing around that involved drops or spins on the floor. Thus, the beginning evolution of breaking.
During the 1970's martial arts were also very popular, so B-Boys (for the most part) incorporated martial art stunts to 'wow' the crowds. And today b-boying has evolved into a highly demanding dance physically and mentally. With massive b-boy dance competitions being held around the world, such as BOTY (Battle of the Year) in Germany and the FreeStyle Sessions.
It is important to know that the term b-boy cannot be used for an emcee, DJ or rapper. Only breakers can be called b-boys.
Also b-boys do not like to be called "Break-dancers", as this was a term coined by the media in the 80's, and is not a 'true' hip-hop' phrase. Break-dancers are dancers who have no style and show their powermoves to get props from people who have no idea about breaking.
by enveoner January 24, 2005