The Birth of Breaking: Hip-Hop History from the Floor Up

Breaking, a widely practiced dance form in the world today, originated as an African American expression in the Bronx, New York, during the 1970s. Despite its global reach and nearly 50-year history, stories of its origins have neglected the African Americans who founded it. Dancer and scholar Serouj Midus Aprahamian offers a detailed look into the African American beginnings of breaking in the Bronx, challenging myths and misconceptions and revealing how indebted it is to African American culture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 24 August 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Breaking, one of the most widely practiced dance forms in the world today, has a fascinating history that began as a distinctively African American expression in the Bronx, New York, during the 1970s. With around one million participants in this dynamic and multifaceted art form, breaking is considered the first and most widely practiced hip-hop dance globally. It has even been recognized as an Olympic sport since 2024. Despite its global reach and nearly 50-year history, the stories of breaking's origins have often overlooked the African Americans who founded it. In his groundbreaking book, "The Birth of Breaking," dancer and scholar Serouj Midus Aprahamian delves into the African American beginnings of breaking in the Bronx, New York, challenging numerous myths and misconceptions that have permeated studies of hip-hop's evolution.

"The Birth of Breaking" offers a detailed look into the early development of the dance, the institutional settings where hip-hop was conceived, and the impact it had on sociocultural conditions in New York City throughout the 1970s. The book includes previously unseen archival material, interviews, and detailed depictions of the dance at its outset. Through the inclusion of over 50 founding b-boys and b-girls' first-hand accounts alongside movement analysis informed by his embodied knowledge of the dance, Aprahamian reveals how deeply indebted breaking is to African American culture, as well as the disturbing factors behind its historical erasure.

Breaking emerged as a response to the social and economic challenges faced by African Americans in the Bronx. It was a form of self-expression and empowerment that allowed individuals to express themselves through movement and music. The dance was characterized by its raw energy, creativity, and athleticism, and it quickly gained popularity among young people in the community. However, breaking faced significant resistance from mainstream society, which saw it as a symbol of rebellion and disorder.

Despite the challenges, breaking continued to thrive in the Bronx, and it soon spread to other parts of the United States and the world. It became a cultural phenomenon that transcended boundaries and influenced various art forms, including music, fashion, and literature. Breaking has also played a significant role in social justice movements, with its practitioners using their dance to raise awareness about issues such as racism, inequality, and police brutality.

In conclusion, breaking is a dance form with a rich history that began as a distinctively African American expression in the Bronx, New York. It has evolved into a global phenomenon that has influenced various art forms and played a significant role in social justice movements. While stories of breaking's origins have often neglected the African Americans who founded it, Aprahamian's book "The Birth of Breaking" offers a valuable contribution to understanding the African American beginnings of this dynamic and influential dance form.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501394300