Urban Dance

Dance, the movement of the body in a rhythmic way, usually to music and within a given space, for the purpose of expressing an idea or emotion, releasing energy, or simply taking delight in the movement itself.

Dance is a powerful impulse, but the art of dance is that impulse channeled by skillful performers into something that becomes intensely expressive and that may delight spectators who feel no wish to dance themselves. These two concepts of the art of dance—dance as a powerful impulse and dance as a skillfully choreographed art practiced largely by a professional few—are the two most important connecting ideas running through any consideration of the subject. In dance, the connection between the two concepts is stronger than in some other arts, and neither can exist without the other. – Judith R. Mackrell, celebrated dance critic

The Urban Dance style or Urban Dance Choreography stems mainly from hip-hop and street dance styles (house, funk, pop, lock, and breaking) and also draws inspiration from other dance styles, such as: jazz, contemporary, tap, and more. It allows dancers from different background, personalities, dance training, etc. to freely interpret different types of music, integrating different dance styles to create their own choreography.

Oftentimes, because Urban Dance is heavily influenced by hip-hop, many would refer to this dance style  hip-hop dance . It is important to recognize that Urban Dance is not hip-hop or  street dance  as one is heavily choreographed and the other focuses on individuality and on the spot free-styling.

In the past 20 years, the Urban Dance culture has created its own identity under the dance umbrella through characteristics such as: concept videos, dance workshop/classes, mainstream music videos, and its most recognizable feature which is collegiate dance team competitions. (Steezy)

When talking about the history of Urban Dance, one has to refer to its most prominent feature, the dance team competition. Like any humble begin, it started with a few friends creating some fun choreography to their favorite songs.

Despite the fact that there was a rapid growth in dance team formations, according to Arnel:

We never had a chance to compete together…Until car show promoters noticed the appeal in hip-hop crew performances, and took advantage of this by hosting dance competitions at their events. It was a great way to meet other dancers from other areas and watch them dance, but the setting wasn’t very relevant to us. We were a part of a marketing tool for the car show promoters to capitalize on.

At the suggestion of his teammate Joseph Lising, Arnel decided to host a dance competition as a way for dance teams to connect and showcase their own unique styles. This idea gave rise to the  VIBE Dance Competition  and the competition scene exploded. In 2019, there exist  Prelude ,  Maxt Out ,  Ultimate Brawl ,  Fusion , and the most prestige of all,  Body Rock , which has been referred to as the Super Bowl of dance competition. ( The Beast Network )

Vibe and Body Rock did not always have a roster of teams from around the world, rather they started small but mighty with the help of the "neighbors from the north" such as Chain Reaction and  Funkanometry SF . Additional, it is important to note that the competition scene has evolved beyond its collegiate origins over the past 20 years. (Steezy)

We started to realize that, through productions like these, we were shaping the culture of [urban] dance. - Anna Sarao

Before the arrival of YouTube and social media, the only way for dancers to connect was through the  Boogiezone's  forum. In 2005, the game was changed as YouTube made the art form much more visible and accessible via the internet. The rise of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and viral culture also contribute to the exponential growth of the Urban Dance style, specifically with concept videos and music videos. (Steezy)

It’s a tool to promote and connect. I love how it bred fusions of styles within hip-hop. - Angie Bunch, founder of the Culture Shock Dance Troupes

YouTube wasn’t created until 2005, more than 10 years after our dance community started. Other developments in technology provided a way for dancers to connect socially and artistically. - Arnel Calvario

One of the biggest impacts that the Urban Dance culture has created is a sense of belong, family and community among participators regardless of their ethnicities, cultures, and social economic backgrounds.

In her thesis called "Asian American Pacific Islander Student [AAPI] Participation In Urban Dance Crew: Implications For University Mental Healthy", Christina S.Y. Louie explores AAPI university students' experiences on a competitive urban dance team. The participants of this study were University of California at Berkeley (UCB) students who self-identify as AAPI and are members of  Main Stacks  dance crew, which is known to be one of the most selective urban dance teams at UCB.

Through various interviews, majority of dancers reported that they feel connected to the larger urban dance scene through hosting the Prelude dance competition and participating in various competitions in both Northern and Southern California. 

In addition, Main Stacks dancers that Christina interviewed all reported that dance:

• Provides an outlet for emotional expression and physical release that are often restricted and limited within the Asian American community
• Pushes them to achieve a new level of self-expression
• Encourages dancers to discover and expand their creativity
• Provides a mode of communication between individuals by telling a story, demonstrating a concept, or establishing a vision
• Boosts individual confidence, self-esteem, and perseverance through the support of the collective group. (Louie 62-68)

It has affected my identity. I am more poised and confident. - Main Stacks dancer  

As mentioned previously, the Urban Dance style draws its inspiration heavily from the hip-hop and street dance style. Given the rapid rise in its popularity, Urban Dance has been widely critiqued by hip-hop dancers when it is being referred to as hip-hop dance. When one knowingly calls Urban Dance as hip-hop, they are disregarding the culture and live experiences of marginalized communities that have been utilizing hip-hop as a medium to express and empower themselves. The danger of cultural appropriate looms when one refuses to acknowledge their lack of involvement in the hip-hop culture, yet claim to practice its elements.

If a studio is teaching Hip-hop “moves” that have nothing to do with Hip-hop music or culture, they’re removing the very essence of what makes the style. - Buddah Stretch, MC, dancer, choreographer

When I think Hip Hop, I don’t think of studio choreography. I think of jams, clubs, circles, people freestyling and doing their own thing, their own way. It’s great that Hip Hop styles got featured a lot more in the media; this created jobs and opportunities. But it’s also why everything is labeled Hip-hop now. - BGirl Asia One, Bgirl and activist

Now it’s about taking a mix of our experiences from the older days and teaching younger generations to love dance in a way that’s more than a fad. - Keone Madrid, choreographer, dancer, former director of Choreo Cookies dance company

We’re at a turning point right now. With all our dance competitions and events, we need to use our voice well – legitimize what we are doing as an art form. This comes with professionalism and true dedication to your craft. And we need to talk about it in more depth, rather than to promote yourself within the dance community. People focus so much on their own brand while neglecting the whole web they are a part of. - Arnel Calvario

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Coats, Daniel. “Arnel Calvario, Founder of Dance Troupe Kaba Modern and Kinjaz Member, Builds Community Engagement Through the Power of Dance.” Mihaylo News, 8 Sept. 2018, business.fullerton.edu/news/2018/09/10/arnel-calvario-founder-of-dance-troupe-kaba-modern-and-kinjaz-member-builds-community-engagement-through-the-power-of-dance/.

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“Dr. Arnel Calvario / Commits to Doing Things with Meaning and Purpose.” Dance Mogul Magazine, 15 Mar. 2019, dancemogul.com/news/?p=4822.

Louie, Christina S. Y. Asian American Pacific Islander Student Participation in Urban Dance Crews: Implications for University Mental Health, PsyD dissertation, Wright Institute, , 2017.,  http://p2048-www.wesleyan.edu.ezproxy.wesleyan.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.wesleyan.edu/docview/2101509723?accountid=14963 .

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“VIBE Dance Competition.” VIBE Dance Comp, 2019, www.vibedancecomp.com/about.

“What Is Urban Dance?” The BEAST Network (TBSN), 26 Feb. 2017, thebeastnetwork.com/what-is-urban-dance/#.XUrq3JNKjOS.

Winick, Stephen. “Urban Folklife, Urban Artistry: Breaking down the Complexities of Urban Dance with Junious Brickhouse.” Library of Congress, 14 Feb. 2017, blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2017/02/urban-folklife-urban-artistry-breaking-down-the-complexities-of-urban-dance-with-junious-brickhouse/.

Zhang, William. “What Are All the Competing Hip Hop Dance Crews in California? And Their Affiliations?” Quora, 14 Aug. 2013, www.quora.com/What-are-all-the-competing-hip-hop-dance-crews-in-California-And-their-affiliations.