NTU SOUL FUNKY

• STREET DANCE

A street dance is a dance style—regardless of country of origin—that evolved outside dance studios in any available open space such as streets, dance parties, block parties, parks, school yards, raves, and nightclubs.

The term is used to describe vernacular dances in urban context. Vernacular dances are often improvisational and social in nature, encouraging interaction and contact with spectators and other dancers. Vernacular dances are dances which have developed 'naturally' as a part of 'everyday' culture within a particular community.

• OG (Original Gangster)

OG stands for original gangster. It is a term which originates from gangs and is used nowadays as a term to describe founding and pioneer members of specific dance genres.

• THE SOUL TRAIN

The soul train is a television programme series created by Don Cornelius. The show featured various performances by different artists and it helped to spread locking and popping to the rest of the world when the groups, The Lockers and Electric Boogaloo performed on it.

• UNDERSTANDING THE MUSIC

These are some explanation of the different types of music. Not all genres of music are included here, only those that might be relevant to the styles that we do. Credits go to Zi Ang (Alumni) for breaking this down and explaining.

• Funk Song [ Identify by the funky rhythm and arrangement. The main instruments are the bass, guitar, snare, piano and TRUMPETS]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB5KgOXHcxc

• Popping/Instrumental Music [ Generally, for popping you can use Funk Song also, but nowadays peopl like to use intrumental music like this, utilising the heavy beats and music layering to create different effects]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJdv3D82u54&list=PL9EADFA2431E98328

• Disco Music [Usually for waacking. It's usually arranged with soaring vocals, electric bass, high hats, strings, horns, electric pianos. It's a very diva kind of feel]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKQc8REIyQo

• House Music [ music characterized by repetitive 4/4 beats! It's an electronic dance music, arranged with kick drums, off-beat hi-hat cymbals, and synthesized basslines! Generally it has a faster tempo than the rest, and repetitive on the house rythm!]

https://youtu.be/IW3ghh2u4OI?list=PL235DBC9499F4E270

• Soul Music [ It is the base and foundation of Funk Music! It combines the elements of jazz, blues and gospel music. Hence, instruments also a mix of instruments use for the other elements.]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJbETMGDeDo

Locking (originally Campbellocking) is a street dance and part of the original funk style. The name is based on the concept of locking movements, which basically means freezing from a fast movement and "locking" in a certain position, holding that position for a short while and then continuing in the same speed as before. It relies on fast and distinct arm and hand movements combined with more relaxed hips and legs. The movements are generally large and exaggerated, and often very rhythmic and tightly synced with the music. Locking is quite performance oriented, often interacting with the audience by smiling or giving them a high five, and some moves are quite comical in nature. A dancer who performs locking is called a locker. Lockers commonly use a distinctive dress style, such as colorful clothing with stripes and suspenders.

Locking was founded by Don Campbell in the late 1960s. The original lock was created by accident: Don Campbell couldn't do a move called the 'The Funky Chicken' and stopped at a particular point whilst moving his arms, creating a 'locking' effect He wasn't able to perform it fluently, for he couldn't remember which step to take next. (Even the acting towards the audience was spontaneous: when people started laughing at Don because of his unfamiliar moves, he responded by pointing at them.)

These steps were created by Don Campbell in the nightclubs of Los Angeles in the early 1970s. These halts soon became popular as Don added them into his performances. The resulting dance was called Campbellocking, which was later shortened to Locking. In the early 1970s this set off a movement of Locking dance groups, notably Campbell's group The Lockers.

Locking OG

The Lockers

The Lockers (originally named The Campbell Lockers) were a dance group formed by Toni Basil and Don "Campbellock" Campbell in 1971. Active throughout the 1970s, they were pioneers of street dance. Don Campbell is the founder of the locking dance style and originally, Locking was called The Campbellock - a style that was based on the dance and song that Don Campbell created. Toni Basil met Campbell at a club in 1971 and together they formed The Lockers as a dance group. Toni Basil also served as The Lockers' manager, and was responsible for staging the act. All the dancers contributed steps and choreography with their unique and individual styles. By 1975 they were "Dancing their way to stardom" on their own. Individual members' contributions (as soloist performers) to the dance style and group image coupled with their unique presentation in staging and concept broke down many barriers. It has been said on the reality dance competition So You Think You Can Dance that "The Lockers emergence on the dance scene changed the face of dance not only for street dancers but for dance in general and has made street dance a true American art form.”

Members of The Lockers:

Don "Campbellock" Campbell

Toni "Mickey" Basil

Fred "Mr. Penguin" Berry

Greg "Campbellock Jr" Pope

Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones

Bill "Slim the Robot" Williams

Leo "Fluky Luke" Williamson

Tony "GO GO" Lewis Foster

Popping is a street dance and one of the original funk style. It is based on the technique of quickly contracting and relaxing muscles to cause a jerk in the dancer's body, referred to as a pop or a hit. This is done continuously to the rhythm of a song in combination with various movements and poses. Closely related illusionary dance styles and techniques are often integrated with popping to create a more varied performance.

Popping is founded by Sam Solomon (Boogaloo Sam) in Fresno, California in 1977. The dance was named as popping because Boogaloo Sam would mouth off the word ‘pop’ when he is doing the technique of contracting and relaxing of muscles.

Popping OG

The Electric Boogaloos are a street dance crew responsible for the spread of popping and electric boogaloo. They were founded by Boogaloo Sam in Fresno, California in 1977. Their original name was the Electric Boogaloo Lockers but "Lockers" was dropped the following year.

Members of Electric Boogaloo

Boogaloo Sam

Popin’ Pete

Skeeter Rabbit

Suga Pop

Mr Wiggles