More than a million people tuned in. The reactions were endless. After decades of debate, Breakdancing was finally approved by the International Olympic Committee as an official game in the 2024 Paris Olympics. And it all started in The Bronx 50 years ago.
The global reach of Hip-Hop culture is undeniable and immeasurable. The majority of the top music charts across the world contain influences and roots in Hip Hop. And yet, so many are unfamiliar with its basic elements and history. “Breaking,” or breakdancing, was birthed during the first surge of Hip-Hop in the 1970’s. C
Current artists have expanded the intricacies of the sound, but Hip-Hop music is all about the beat. The early DJs took breaks, where only the percussion of the song lived, from classic funk and soul songs and began making waves with parties throughout The Bronx and New York City. As DJs like Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash mastered the art of the break beat, dancers began to hit the ground and created a movement that would later cross continents. The Rock Steady Crew and Dynamic Rockers were some of the first pioneers of breakdancing, making appearances in early Hip-Hop movies like Wild Style and Beat Street. As the music began to take off, so did the dances, the art (graffiti), the clothing, and so much more.
Fifty years later, Hip-Hop artists perform at the Super Bowl and World Cup, clothing influences and brands surpass billions of sales, and breakdancing is a global force of competitive sport.
Kid Glyde is a lifelong member of The Dynamic Rockers and a legend in the world of breaking. For the past 10 years, Glyde has been a key member of the Hush Team, leading workshops and tours and sharing his b-boy magic with thousands of our guests. An NYC native and faculty member at Broadway Dance Center, Glyde has his roots in the origins of Hip-Hop and learned from the pioneers of the genre.
This journey is what Hush Tours guests get to experience. Whether on our Birthplace of Hip Hop Bus Tour, or curated dance workshops, participants leave with an unforgettable experience that interweaves New York and culture and history and unlocks some of the city’s hidden gems.
2023 was Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary. 2024, it made the Olympics. Join the Hush crew for an incomparable experience to learn more about Hip-Hop’s history and future!
Written by Debra Harris. Founder/President of Hush Tours.
