Breaking in the Olympics: An Important Thing to Remember Now That It's Over

[00:00:00] [SPEAKER_02]: I am Brother Cornel West and this is Hip-Hop Can Save America

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[00:00:56] [SPEAKER_01]: Now let's go.

[00:00:59] [SPEAKER_02]: The thing about hip-hop today is it's smart. It's insightful.

[00:01:07] [SPEAKER_02]: The way that they can communicate a complex message in a very short space is remarkable.

[00:01:14] [SPEAKER_02]: And a lot of these kids, they're not going to be reading the New York Times. That's not how they're getting their information.

[00:01:44] [SPEAKER_00]: In 2023, much of the world collectively jumped at the chance to participate in the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip-hop.

[00:01:51] [SPEAKER_00]: Now while no single origin flashpoint could possibly exist for a movement as complex as hip-hop, it was somewhat universally agreed upon.

[00:01:58] [SPEAKER_00]: A milestone and certainly one worth celebrating.

[00:02:01] [SPEAKER_00]: After all, as the words of the late lyricist, the notorious B.I.G., will remind us forever, none of us ever thought that hip-hop would take it this far.

[00:02:08] [SPEAKER_00]: However, as I pointed out last year in an op-ed in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, there were glaring omissions at most of these major events.

[00:02:15] [SPEAKER_00]: Rarely on display were the other elements of hip-hop.

[00:02:18] [SPEAKER_00]: Even the DJ, known as the cornerstone of the very genre that we're celebrating, was rarely given top billing and received very little fanfare.

[00:02:26] [SPEAKER_00]: For the most part, hip-hop 50 jubilations were overwhelmingly rap-centric.

[00:02:31] [SPEAKER_00]: That's understandable. I mean, in terms of exposure and commerce, rap's exponentially outgrown its artistic hip-hop siblings.

[00:02:38] [SPEAKER_00]: Still, the downside of that prioritization is that for much of the general public, hip-hop only equals rap music.

[00:02:45] [SPEAKER_00]: And what's more, most positive attention being showered on the genre would disappear as soon as the 50-year-old clock struck midnight.

[00:02:52] [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, only months after the August 11th, 2023 milestone in 2024, media coverage of hip-hop would largely center on rap beef or the fall of Diddy.

[00:03:01] [SPEAKER_00]: But most recently, Megan Thee Stallion supporting or twerking for Kamala Harris.

[00:03:06] [SPEAKER_00]: The wording would depend on who's telling the story.

[00:03:08] [SPEAKER_00]: These things are worthy of covering, no doubt, but still a far cry from last year's feel good about hip-hop vibes.

[00:03:13] [SPEAKER_00]: This summer, though, there's a twist.

[00:03:16] [SPEAKER_00]: Breaking was just in the Olympic Games for the first and potentially last time.

[00:03:22] [SPEAKER_00]: This dance movement, which coalesced during the early days of hip-hop's Big Bang and the Bronx, catapulted into the public view during the 1970s and 1980s thanks in part to movies like Breaking.

[00:03:32] [SPEAKER_00]: And it's always fun to say, Breaking 2, Electric Boogaloo.

[00:03:35] [SPEAKER_00]: It perhaps reached its highest pinnacle of general public awareness during a televised performance at Ronald Reagan's 1985 Presidential Ball.

[00:03:45] [SPEAKER_00]: Breaking had broken in, and for a time at least, it steady rocked the sizable linoleum line square firmly planted in the pop culture zeitgeist.

[00:03:53] [SPEAKER_00]: However, similar to how hip-hop's other artistic elements would take a back seat to the front-facing and way more lucrative industrial rap complex, Breaking would be relegated to something of an underground existence.

[00:04:05] [SPEAKER_00]: For many, it would simply disappear entirely.

[00:04:08] [SPEAKER_00]: Still, these elements would prove to be indestructible.

[00:04:11] [SPEAKER_00]: In later years, graffiti writers who spent their youth dodging law enforcement would become sought-after artists, commissioned for paintings and murals with institutes of higher art, academia, and archival spaces starting to welcome this once-disparaged art form into their hallowed halls.

[00:04:26] [SPEAKER_00]: And with some corporate backing and technological advancements, turntablism would survive as well.

[00:04:31] [SPEAKER_00]: Competitions like the DMC World DJ Championships would keep that aspect of the culture alive, evolving, and youthful, crowning champions as young as 12 years old.

[00:04:41] [SPEAKER_00]: The World Beatbox Association would be formed, hosting similar exhibitions and competitions celebrating this unique form of oral musicianship made famous by Buffy the Human Beatbox, Doug E. Fresh, Biz Mark E., and many others.

[00:04:54] [SPEAKER_00]: Breaking would also find new ways to elevate, as organizations like Freestyle Session and companies like McDonald's and Red Bull would host high-profile events throughout the world.

[00:05:04] [SPEAKER_00]: Breakers from every continent and across all age levels and skill rankings would maintain world-class athletic and stylistic brilliance, maybe subconsciously hoping for that unlikely call from Olympic headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

[00:05:16] [SPEAKER_00]: Lausanne, Lausanne, Lausauce, from Switzerland.

[00:05:19] [SPEAKER_00]: That call would come after a highly successful inclusion in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.

[00:05:26] [SPEAKER_00]: Breaking's temporary promotion to the main Olympic stage this summer really should have removed any doubt about the level of athleticism, professionalism, depth and dedication that's alive and well within the global Breaking community.

[00:05:38] [SPEAKER_00]: But it got a little more complicated than that.

[00:05:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Now, for good reason, Breaking's milestone moment drew plentiful local network, cable news coverage, public discussion and social media chatter.

[00:05:50] [SPEAKER_00]: But just like Hip Hop 50, much of this attention will fade away now that the last windmill has windmilled.

[00:05:57] [SPEAKER_00]: And after, of course, the controversy surrounding Ray Gun of Australia finally dies down.

[00:06:01] [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, it was this confusing debacle of a performance that's heightened ongoing mixed feelings within the Breaking community and now among regular folks as well about Breaking's Olympic ascension in the first place.

[00:06:14] [SPEAKER_00]: It was always pretty problematic, but those who are still in favor generally agree that like beatboxing and turntablism, Breaking has been an undervalued element.

[00:06:21] [SPEAKER_00]: So the opportunity to go off for the world, to renew public interest in the dance, to prove that it's still a formidable cultural force and hopefully inspire the next generation.

[00:06:32] [SPEAKER_00]: This was a long awaited and worthwhile opportunity.

[00:06:35] [SPEAKER_00]: On the other hand, many continue to view its inclusion as a full on gentrification of the art and the culture, an attack on its authenticity and a diminishing of its roots.

[00:06:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Many oppose the imposition of obscure rules that don't really fit a Breaking ethos, a confusing judging process and the fact that Breaking originators and pioneers were never really afforded this level of prestige or acclaim or inclusion.

[00:06:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Now people have all kind of opinions on this and many are valid viewpoints that will definitely need to be ironed out.

[00:07:02] [SPEAKER_00]: But no matter what side anyone might fall on, the bottom line is that nearly every Breaking competitor in Paris was highly skilled and obviously deeply dedicated to their craft.

[00:07:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Whether or not you like this particular overall presentation or not, Breaking long ago developed into a world class sport and dance and a form of cultural and individual expression.

[00:07:23] [SPEAKER_00]: It's varied. It's beautiful. It's powerful. It's beloved worldwide by millions. It honors its past and evolves with the times.

[00:07:31] [SPEAKER_00]: It's inspiring. It crosses all boundaries. It's intergenerational. It's unifying. And when it's done right, it is unequivocally dope.

[00:07:40] [SPEAKER_00]: So it's a thing we really should collectively and continuously appreciate way after these closing ceremonies, because unlike more established and universally recognized sports, Breaking still requires ongoing attention to help guarantee its survival.

[00:07:55] [SPEAKER_00]: So as the Paris Games come to a close and the world gets back to life, back to reality, this uniquely inspiring creation that was birthed among rubble, fueled by despair, inspired by generations before it and nurtured into a global phenomenon.

[00:08:11] [SPEAKER_00]: It's owed at least the same public recognition, support, funding, attention and advocacy that it was able to get this last summer.

[00:08:18] [SPEAKER_00]: We can find ways to do that, not just by sharing memes, but by seeking out local dance events, sponsoring local organizations, engaging with our favorite dancers or crews on social media, amplifying their work and their concerns, uplifting other incredible stories that were found all through Breaking culture.

[00:08:36] [SPEAKER_00]: And we can keep all of these efforts alive all the time.

[00:08:39] [SPEAKER_00]: Each Olympic host city gets to choose the provisional sports it wants to include. And ironically, Los Angeles has chosen to exclude Breaking for the 2028 Summer Games. That was always the case.

[00:08:50] [SPEAKER_00]: The fact is, it may never return to the Olympic state, but it could. Now I don't know all the specifics, the timelines and all. It is possible that we have some time to potentially organize, orchestrate and push for a bigger, better presentation in time for the 2032 Summer Games in Brisbane.

[00:09:08] [SPEAKER_00]: That's in Australia, ironically. Not everyone wants that. I get it. But maybe this is all in accordance with prophecy and destiny will play a role here. I mean, would it not be fitting that the home of Ray Gunn re-welcomes Breaking into the Olympic mix?

[00:09:21] [SPEAKER_00]: This time without any of 2024 shenanigans but with the revamped everything centering on more adherence to the culture and the traditions that were excluded or compromised or mocked in 2024.

[00:09:32] [SPEAKER_00]: Because contrary to some beliefs, many traditionalists weren't completely turned off by what they saw. I mean, various public pride-filled commentaries have shown this continued interest in improving, not denying, the direction that Breaking's going. Even among those who hadn't fully bought into the Olympics idea in the first place.

[00:09:49] [SPEAKER_00]: With some urgently needed tweaks, perhaps the next time Breaking returns to the global stage, it'll be something that more folks can feel good about fully supporting.

[00:09:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Either way, it seems that many people were surprised by the look of Breaking in 2024. To be fair, most who are in the scene will say that that's because people haven't been immersed in the culture of Breaking or the evolution of the competitive circuit in all these years.

[00:10:13] [SPEAKER_00]: Still, there was a lot that we did recognize. Aside from genuinely talented dancing, the DJs did pretty well. Many thought that the music would be generic, but no, it wasn't. It was classics.

[00:10:23] [SPEAKER_00]: The show hosts kept up the energy, the stage was in a circle. Reactions from folks in the crowd who were obviously of the culture were emphatic and authentic. People were having a good time.

[00:10:35] [SPEAKER_00]: And of course there were things that none of us liked, true. But the next time we look up and see Breaking ascend to any world stage at that scale, it might be even worse.

[00:10:43] [SPEAKER_00]: Only way to avoid that is if we remember 2024. Not just for the weird though, but for the wonderful. Not for the failures, but for the victories. Not for the jokes, but for the joy it brought observers across the world and clearly the dancers themselves.

[00:10:59] [SPEAKER_00]: Mainstream media is not going to remember any of this. They don't remember it now. All they know is Ray Gunn. Most hip hop media didn't publish a thing about Breaking until the Olympics, so they're not going to remember this either.

[00:11:09] [SPEAKER_00]: And bandwagon corporations won't either. And those critics who never before but suddenly now have emphatic opinions about Breaking, like I said, some of them are valid, but most of those folks are going to move on to the next trending thing that the internet tells them they need to be all up in arms about soon anyway.

[00:11:25] [SPEAKER_00]: For those who truly care, let's stay engaged. Let's each look for ways to learn more about and support the movement, the dancers, the organizations, the culture, whatever ways we can. This and every year.

[00:11:41] [SPEAKER_01]: Once again, thanks for listening to another episode of Hip Hop Can Save America, aka the world's most important hip hop podcast. My name is Manny Faces. You can find out more about the show at hiphopcansaveamerica.com. You can watch the show now as a live stream on YouTube.

[00:11:56] [SPEAKER_01]: Check back for all the replays as well. The interviews from the live stream will be brought here onto the audio feed, so you always get the best of the live stream. You can also check out our Substack newsletter. It's free at mannyfaces.substack.com.

[00:12:11] [SPEAKER_01]: Filled with stories of hip hop innovation, inspiration and in general, hip hop news that isn't about dumb s***. Eternal shouts to our consulting producer Summer McCoy. Be sure to check out her dope initiatives, Hip Hop Hacks and the Mixtape Museum.

[00:12:26] [SPEAKER_01]: We'll be back soon with another dope episode, but check us out on the live stream as well. Mondays 9 p.m. Eastern, hiphopcansaveamerica.com slash watch. Until next time, it's Manny Faces wishing peace and love to you and yours.