The Rhythmic Pulse of the Olympics: How Hip-Hop Broke its Way into Paris 2024

‍Break Dancing: From the Bronx Corners to the 2024 Olympics

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B-Boys and B-Girls, break out your cardboard and rejoice! In a monumental decision, the 2024 Paris Olympics are set to have hearts racing and speakers blasting with a groundbreaking addition to their lineup: break dancing, or "breaking" as it’s more commonly referred. This inclusion marks a significant milestone not only for the sporting event but also for the broader hip-hop culture from which it originated. Breaking's inclusion in the Olympics is a testament to its evolution from a street dance born in the Bronx to a globally recognized athletic discipline. This recognition is an effervescent testament to the global expansion and transformative influence of hip-hop culture.

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Spinning from the Streets to the Olympics

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Break dancing emerged in the early 1970’s in the South Bronx, New York City, a neighborhood melting pot of diverse cultures and a spirit of resilience amid economic challenges that arose in that period. The combination of economic decline, urban decay, and reduced social services contributed to a rise in crime and the proliferation of drug use, particularly heroin. This lack of economic opportunities and breakdown of community structures led many of the youth to turn to the streets for survival. This environment of adversity fostered a sense of urgency to find alternative means of expression and escape. Pioneered by African American and Latino youth, breaking became a form of expression, competition, and social commentary, serving as a physical representation of the sonic soundscape known as Hip-Hop.

Breaking is one of the four pillars of hip-hop culture, alongside DJing, MCing (Master of Ceremony, or rapper), and graffiti artistry. It embodies the creativity, resilience, and innovation of hip-hop. The dance form has always been more than just physical movement; it’s a means of storytelling, resistance, and community building.

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The Break that Echoed Around the World

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The genesis of breaking can be traced to DJ Kool Herc, often hailed as the father of hip-hop. At his block parties, Herc would extend the instrumental breaks of funk songs, creating a continuous rhythm that allowed dancers to showcase their moves. These dancers, known as B-Boys and B-Girls, would use these "breaks" to execute acrobatic and intricate movements, laying the foundation for break dancing. Breakers around the world have honed their craft, battled for respect, and built communities that transcend their language and borders.

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Pushing Boundaries and Barrier Breaking

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Breaking drew it’s inspiration from a variety of sources, including martial arts, gymnastics, and traditional African and Latin dance forms. Early break dancers like the Rock Steady Crew and the New York City Breakers played pivotal roles in popularizing the dance. Movies like "Wild Style," "Beat Street," and "Breakin'" brought breaking to a broader audience in the 1980s, helping it transcend its New York origins and become an international sensation.

From its inception, battles have been central to breaking. These competitive face-offs showcase dancers' skills, creativity, and stamina. Events like the Battle of the Year and Red Bull BC One have become international stages where breakers from around the world compete, further legitimizing breaking as a serious art form and sport.

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A Union Born Through the Universal Language of Dance

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By the 1990s and 2000s, breaking had spread globally, with breaking scenes emerging in Europe, Asia, and various places around the world. Each region added its unique flavor, resulting in a rich tapestry of styles and techniques. This global expansion set the stage for breaking’s inclusion in prestigious events like the Youth Olympic Games in 2018, where it made its debut as an official sport.

Breakdancing's road to the Olympics is emblematic of the Games' own ethos - Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger). B-boys and B-girls embody this spirit, pushing past the human body’s limitations to achieve, power moves, freezes, and intricate footwork. Their outstanding bouts of strength, agility, and creativity which will now be celebrated alongside javelin throwing, sprints, and dives.

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The Olympic Games and How to Play Them

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The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to include breaking in the 2024 Paris Olympics is a recognition of its athletic rigor and cultural significance in the pop culture zeitgeist. The competition will feature head-to-head battles judged on criteria like technique, creativity, musicality, and performance.

Olympic breaking will be judged on the following four primary criteria:

1. Technique: Precision and execution of the  moves.

2. Creativity: Originality and innovation in the routines

3. Musicality: Synchronization with the music’s rhythm and beats.

4. Performance: Overall presentation, including energy and stage presence.

The breaking competition at the Olympics will feature two events: one for B-Boys and one for B-Girls. The format is as follows:

1. Pre-Qualifiers: Athletes will participate in pre-qualifier battles to secure their spot in the round-robin stage.

2. Round Robin: Competitors are divided into groups where they face each other in head-to-head battles. Each battle is judged by a panel based on criteria such as creativity, technique, variety, and musicality.

3. Knockout Rounds: The top performers from the round-robin stage advance to the quarterfinals, followed by the semifinals, and ultimately the finals, where the gold medalist is determined.

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An Olympic Meeting: A Breakdown of Team USA

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The games will feature 16 B-Boys (male breakdancers) and 16 B-Girls (female breakdancers) representing various countries. The prominent break dancers that are likely to represent Team USA are:

B-Boy Victor, (Orlando Florida’s own known for his dynamic power moves and intricate footwork, Victor has won numerous prestigious titles, including the Red Bull BC One World Final and the Undisputed World B-Boy Series) B-Boy Jeffro (This Houston legend is known for his captivating stage presence and explosive power moves, he has made a name for himself in the breaking community with his unique blend of explosive power moves, smooth transitions, and intricate footwork. Jeffro has won several high-profile competitions, making him extremely valuable on Team USA's breaking team) B-Girl Logistx (The San Diego native is known for her technical prowess, creativity, and expressionist style. She has won various titles at events such as the Red Bull BC One World Final and is a prominent figure in the breaking community) and last but not least, B-Girl Sunny Choi (Born not too far from it’s origin, the new York native is recognized for her dynamic style and competitive spirit. She has competed and won in various international competitions)

This years inclusion of breaking in the Olympics is expected to elevate the dance form's profile, attracting new participants and audiences. It also presents an opportunity for breakers to gain international recognition as athletes, potentially leading to increased support, sponsorship, and development of breaking as a professional sport.

While breaking's Olympic debut is groundbreaking, also brings challenges. The community must navigate the balance between staying true to its roots and adapting to the formal structures of an Olympic competition. However, the essence of breaking as a spirit of innovation, resilience, and cultural expression will undoubtedly continue to shine through.

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From Paris to Paterson

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And now you have the chance to be apart of Hip-Hop history, as after the monumental moment of representing us in the Olympics, you can now connect with the Olympians themselves as B-Boy Jeffro and Olympian Miguel Rosario, along with seeing the infamous DJ Kool Herc turntables at the PRS Music Festival at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, NJ on August 31st.