Take Me Back To the Real Hip Hop...

Many people think of the history of Hip Hop as an emergence in the Bronx during the 1970s, with the Jamaican, Clive Campbell, more widely known as Kool DJ Herc, Campbell's break-beat DJ skills and a new concept of word rhyming over turntable music, which was yet to be recognized as "rap." His popularity in the Bronx set the stage for the more infamous Grandmaster Flash (Joseph Saddler) and Afrika Bambaataa (the man coining the term "hip hop.")

But Hip Hop dance specifically can be traced as a development out of already existing dance forms in America. Credit is due to the Lindy Hoppers of the 20s, 30s, and 40s and the Jitterbuggers of the 50s. Social dancers enjoyed the Twist, Monkey and Jerk during the 60s and moved on to the Hustle in the early 70s (which carried elements of the 20s' Lindy Hop). Hip Hop dance, such as Breaking, the Electric Boogie and Popping, introduced itself on the east and west coasts as a social dance evolutionary point during the latter 70s, and continues to multiply in facets and popularity into the present.

Since the 70s, people such as Rennie Harris of Puremovement in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, growing up during these changing times, are helping popularize and expand Hip Hop dance as an art form and legitimate expression of culture, people and spirituality. "'We love what we're doing,' he says of his troupe. 'Any one of us would rather die dancing because you get to a high, and the high is God. This work has nothing to do with social commentary. It's about our journey on this planet, reaching a higher plane'" (Dance Magazine, Aug '99, p60.)

Title: Hip Hop Congress
Address: http://www.hiphopcongress.com/
Description: Attempts to provide information dealing in all compartments of life, with the central theme of Hip Hop. Along with links to major Hip Hop artists, the site provides a table for forum speaking, comments, etc on the life and nation of Hip Hop.
Web Source: Hip Hop Congress

Title: San Francisco Hip Hop Dancefest
Address: http://www.sfhiphopdancefest.com/dancefest_info.htm
Description: Site describes reason for the Dancefest and provides links for the nineteen youth hip hop dance programs involved. "The San Francisco Hip Hop DanceFest is committed to the development of youth talent. By providing youth groups with the opportunity to performer large audiences and in a professional venue, the DanceFest helps to nurture the confidence and abilities that are needed to pursue dance professionally."
Web Source: unknown

Title: Culture Shock Dance Troupe
Address: http://www.cultureshockdance.org/
Description: Provides links to Culture Shock Dance Troupes in seven major US cities. Offers videos of performances and aid with hip hop choreography for purchase.
Web Source: Stephen Ko

Title: D.A.R.E. Dance
Address: http://www.citydance.net/dare/
Description: Maps the beginnings of a new facet to the D.A.R.E. Programs already functioning in urban public schools. The page offers information on the program's curriculum and approach and can be a resource for following the success of programs such as these.
Web Source: D.A.R.E. America and CityDance Ensemble

Title: HipHop-Directory
Address: http://www.hiphop-directory.com/
Description: Page is a great resource for researching any facet of the Hip Hop culture. The site also provides a search engine for topics within the Hip Hop realm.
Web Source: unknown

Title: Rap/Hip-Hop
Address: http://rap.about.com/cs/history/
Description: The most important aspect of the Hip Hop web link page is its link concerning ONLY Hip Hop dance and its links. Lots of good links are available from hp hop apparel to top performers in the country.
Web Source: About.com

Print Sources:
Dyson, Michael. Culture of Hip-Hop. Minnesota: University of Minnesota Press, 1993. (Call#:
PS3551.L3838 W5 2000)

ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education. Urban After-School Programs: Evaluations and
Recommendations. New York: ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education, 1998. (Call#:
ED 1.310/2:425263)

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Reaching the Hip-Hop Generation. Philadelphia: MEE
Productions, Inc., 1993. (Call#: HQ796.M4 1993)

Non-Print Sources:
Light, Alan. The Vibe History of Hip Hop [CD-ROM]. New York: Three Rivers Press, 1999.
(Call#: ML353.V53 1999)

Jones, Otis. Steppin'. New York: Cinema Guild, 1992. (Call#: 65-V4123)