Sunday, April 12, 2009

Donald O'Connor, in 'Singing In The Rain': Origins of Hip Hop Dance in the US?

Donald O'Connor in Singing in the Rain is amazing! Check out this youtube video:

I know that hip hop dance allegedly originated in New York during the 70s, but O'Connor undoubtedly shows hip hop moves like the worm (when he dives on the floor), the centipedespin suicide flip (self explanatory), and the makeshift swipe he does when his one leg was locked under the other.

To be honest, the choreography for these moves probably has its origins from Capoeira. Capoeira is not Brazilian in origin, but was brought to Brazil via African slaves. Watch people play Capoeira, and it's pretty easy to see the similarities: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdZXp0Tq6Jk

Bottom line: hip hop dance has been around a lot longer than the 1970s.
(when he swings his one leg under the other), the

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