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Popping /ρορρινγ/, n., v., pop
“Popping is a dance that consists of contracting and relaxing of the muscles to the beat of the music.”
People may have seen this description (or similar) in many dance studios, dance websites, magazines, television basically any type of media under the sun. Yes it is a correct definition of the dance, but it is not the only definition.
The History:
Depending on which group and history that people base the dance from will determine their definition and also terms used to describe the dance.
The majority believe that Boogaloo Sam from the Electric Boogaloos (EBs) created popping in the mid 70s (during the Funk era) in Fresno California. Recently a lot of other OGs (original generation) poppers have started to come forward claiming that they saw popping before Sam. Some have also said that popping wasn’t created by an individual but from a group of people. The history is still being debated today.
Whether or not people believe that Sam was the soul creator of popping, people cannot deny what he has done for the dance. Sam basically pioneered the Boogaloo (style) that is seen across the world today.
The Terms:
There are a lot of terms that gets thrown around, some are correct, some are kind of correct and some are completely incorrect. It is important that every dancer should have an idea what these terms are, its context and history whether it is correct or not. Note that some dancers don’t really care about labels or terms because they never needed it, they just do it.
Popping (or Poppin):
There are several meanings associated with this term, the most common one being an umbrella term that includes all the other (sub) styles of popping eg Animation, Boogaloo, Gliding, Filmo, Robot, Strobing, Ticking, Waving etc. One can say because a pop (or hit) can be incorporated into each style therefore it is used as an umbrella term.
The other meaning is the style itself referring to contracting and relaxing of muscles that causes the hit/jerk effect.
Poplock:
This term has been argued over and over on popping forums. Again depending on which area, group or story is followed will determine its meaning. Here are some of the meanings. Popping and Locking are two different dances, and because of that one cannot combine the two dances together so nor can the terms. Though there are people that have successfully combined certain aspects of both styles together.
The word has been used in a certain area for so long, that is has become part of their history and culture.Some use it as an umbrella term just like popping.
Breakdance:
A term that was coined by the mainstream media when the ‘street dance’ phenomena exploded in popularity in the mid 80s. It was used as an umbrella term that consisted breaking/bboying, locking and popping. It is not an accurate term, yet many people and the mainstream media still use it today.
Liquid Dance, Liquid-ing:
It is probably referring to the waving style of popping. Liquid-ing is another dance style but it is associated with the raving scene. Though liquid and waving do share similar techniques and concepts between the two, but because of the difference in music the context of each movement is different. Just take a look at the bpm (beats per minute) for starters.
Funkstyles:
A term that was coined by Poppin Pete (from the EBs) in the early 2000s, it was used to differentiate the west coast (popping and locking) from the east coast dance styles (bboying, freestyle hip hop etc), because again the mainstream media has somehow lump all these styles under the umbrella term “hip hop dancing”. By doing this it has also created a new umbrella term, some accepted it some didn’t.
Those who didn’t accept it say that there is no need for the term because other ‘umbrella’ terms already exist and has been part of the culture for 20 years plus.
Electric Boogie:
Also a term that has been widely used with different meanings
An umbrella term similar to popping. A New York interpretation of the dance Popping (umbrella term). Keep in mind Popping (and Locking) was a west coast dance and breaking (bboying) was originally from the east coast (New York). Some even say that the Electric Boogie is a watered down version of the Electric Boogaloo (a combination of popping and boogaloo-ing that is made famous by the EBs).
The Music:
Originally popping is done to funk music. Below is a small example of the genres and songs that people can pop to. Notice that all these songs have a very consistent snare/clap and kick (drums). Besides Electro, all the other songs have a funky feel to it. Also keep in mind that genres are not always black and white, there will be some grey areas.
Different genres tend to more suited to certain styles, the challenge is be able to adapt the styles that are less suited, because of that some poppers tend to stick to one specific genre. Let’s say a popper that does only the Robot and has to dance to a really funky song, he or she might find it hard to keep the illusion of the robot because a funk song is telling him or her to get loose and funky. Depending on the skill level of the popper, he or she might be able to kind of find the middle ground of being funky while keeping the robotic illusion.
Funk:
Note that there are many types of funk.
- Freakshow on the Dance Floor by the Bar Kays
- Just be Yourself by Cameo
- Flashlight by Parliament
- More Bounce by Zapp and Roger
- Thighs High by Tom Browne
Note the very electronic instruments sounds, ideal for doing more robotic or illusional styles.
- Jam on it by the Newcleus
- Beatbox by the Art of Noise
- Tour de France by Kraftwerk
- Bop Gun by Ice Cube
- Fantastic Voyage by Coolio
- Pop Lock Funk by Dogg Master
- Around the World by Daft Punk
- You’re So Gangster by Chromeo
- Make it Right by Lakita
- Dance with me by Dizzee Rascal feat. Calvin Harris
"Just because you don’t think it’s right, doesn’t mean it’s wrong."
- Danis Kool
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