About Break
The style that’ll get your head spinning with those tricks and grooves? Let us introduce you to the diverse and athletic style that is break!
Breaking, more widely known as breakdancing, is a style of street dance that has been documented in the late 1800s but developed into a more defined style in the early 1970s from African American youth before gaining increasing popularity in other communities towards the end of the decade. Pioneers and innovators of the style, referred to as ‘the 1st Generation Bboys’, included individuals such as Trixie (Lauree Myers), Dancing Doug (Douglas Colon), A1 Bboy Sasa, The Legendary Smith Twins and Clark Kent. There were also notable dance crews who were predominantly comprised of Puerto Rican-Americans, such as ‘SalSoul’ and ‘Rockwell Association’.
The style focusses on four types of movement: power moves, freezes, toprock and downrock. It draws on more gymnastic and acrobatic movement than some other styles and requires a fair amount of strength but when done correctly can look effortless! Attributed to Bronx-based DJs, who created ‘breakbeats’ by looping the rhythmic breakdown sections of songs, breaking became a style used in dance battles and ‘cyphers’.
Want to be that cool b-boy around campus?
Watch how UCL takes on break in this piece from our 2019 Bloomsbury show
Want to know more? Click here to join our facebook page.
Breaking, more widely known as breakdancing, is a style of street dance that has been documented in the late 1800s but developed into a more defined style in the early 1970s from African American youth before gaining increasing popularity in other communities towards the end of the decade. Pioneers and innovators of the style, referred to as ‘the 1st Generation Bboys’, included individuals such as Trixie (Lauree Myers), Dancing Doug (Douglas Colon), A1 Bboy Sasa, The Legendary Smith Twins and Clark Kent. There were also notable dance crews who were predominantly comprised of Puerto Rican-Americans, such as ‘SalSoul’ and ‘Rockwell Association’.
The style focusses on four types of movement: power moves, freezes, toprock and downrock. It draws on more gymnastic and acrobatic movement than some other styles and requires a fair amount of strength but when done correctly can look effortless! Attributed to Bronx-based DJs, who created ‘breakbeats’ by looping the rhythmic breakdown sections of songs, breaking became a style used in dance battles and ‘cyphers’.
Want to be that cool b-boy around campus?
Watch how UCL takes on break in this piece from our 2019 Bloomsbury show
Want to know more? Click here to join our facebook page.
