Hip hop was founded by Jamaican native DJ Clive Campbell in the 1970s based off of poetry lyrics he heard spoken over music as a child.  Hip hop did not solely develop as a form of dance, but as a movement to combat oppression and divides regarding black individuals in the Bronx.  It served as an outlet for minorities and the daily hardships they faced and continue to face.  Opposed to resorting to gang life and violence, young individuals turned to dance to express themselves and create a sense of community and loyalty amongst each other.

The development of hip hop music and these Jamaican elements also had an impact on the development of rap music.  Still to this day, hip hop dance is often accompanied with rapping and rap music that carried this movement on.  A variety of techniques and different styles were developed corresponding to the different kinds of music produced.  For example, there was “waack,” which incorporates athletic theatrical movements, freezes, and popping and locking movements, and then there is rap dance, which incorporated similar styles but was less extreme on the body and was often leisurely performed at house parties.  The more athletic dance forms were often accompanied by rap and dance battles between members of different hip hop crews.

In the video below, we can see two young boys dance battling in front of a crowd of people that is cheering them on and encouraging them to show off their hip hop moves.  The boys and the onlookers clearly exhibit an enjoyable, carefree vibe and are just having fun grooving out to the beat.  The boys even incorporate the various techniques mentioned above.

The core of hip hop was derived from cultural elements (living in impoverished neighborhoods, out on the streets) that essentially united the black population in New York and ultimately elicited a widespread genre expansion.  In the present day, from various music videos to an abundance of hip hop and street dance workshops in New York City alone, it is clear that these original styles of hip hop dance continue to live on and play a role in present day society.  Additionally, hip hop has made its way back down to Jamaica, and interestingly is widely accepted by a majority of the natives residing there.  Elements of hip hop music have even been incorporated into typical dancehall and reggae music and are played frequently at parties in the Caribbean.  Thus, it is clear that hip hop dance and music are enjoyed by people of all ethnic backgrounds who are celebrating their pride in themselves and their skills and ultimately serves as a uniting force for all.