31 July 2024
What is Breaking?
Breaking was popularised in the 1980’s and is an acrobatic, physically demanding dance style characterised by Power Moves, which include back spins and head spins. It involves elements such as Top Rock, Footwork, Freezes and Power Moves. The term Breakdance stems from the percussion and drum breaks in the music which the Breakers would dance to. Commercially, it is known as Breakdance, however is known generally as Breakin’.
How will Breaking be an Olympic sport?
In the open-air arena built in La Concorde, the Breaking events will consist of two events split by gender. Each will follow the same format: one-on-one bouts (known as 'battles') between competitors, as they aim to showcase a display of talent greater than their opponent. These battles each have rounds of 60 seconds each, with the winner of two out of three rounds moving forward.
Judging will be based on the competitor's use of power moves, as well as how effectively they adapt and improvise to the DJ's music. Scoring is broken down into five categories (musicality, originality, technique, vocabulary and execution), each equally weighted.
Breaking events begin on the 9 August with the B-Girls event, followed by the B-Boys event on the 10 August, and will consist of a round robin phase with four groups of four, before the winners of each progress to semi-finals and finals.
What music is it danced to?
Breaking doesn't exist without music, and DJ Kool Herc pioneered mixing two different tracks together on vinyl within the ‘breakdown’, which prompted dancers to the dancefloor to get down and show their moves. Grandmaster Flash is another notable DJ who was recognised at this time for bringing methods of his mixing skills to the forefront, and inspiring some of the greatest Breaking dancers and crews.
Primarily, the genres you might expect to hear in Breaking include hip-hop, funk, rap, and soul. In the 2024 Olympics, music will be picked randomly by a DJ, bringing an element of spontaneity and improvisation into the event.
Who helped popularise Breaking?
Pioneering Breakin’ crews who garnered mainstream attention included the Rock Steady Crew and New York City Breakers:
Though now a series of crews sharing the same name, the Rock Steady Crew was formed by Jimmy Dee and Jojo in New York, 1977. At the time, Breaking was used as a way to settle disputes and arguments in a non-violent way, but whilst its popularity within the Bronx was beginningto fade, Dee and Lee set up the crew aiming to repopularise and elevate the dance form.
Inspired by witnessing a battle between the Rock Steady Crew and another group, The Dynamic Rockers, filmmaker Michael Newman was inspired to form a crew titled New York City Breakers, launching them on national talk show The Merv Griffin Show in 1983. The New York City Breakers would gain more widespread media attention, with features on Ripley's Believe It or Not! TV show, and performing alongside Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.
Alongside these crews, films that popularised the style were Beat Street and Breakin', though its influence is widespread - members of the Rock Steady Crew even appeared in Flashdance!
How can I get involved?
Has this article piqued your interest? ISTD Street Dance classes could be for you! Learn more on the ISTD Street Dance webpage, including how to get involved.
