Has popping gotten less exciting or am I just changing?

[BigBlackBrit]

Everyone is so good now... everyone can do every style.. everyone can freak beats super hard.. everyone sort of has the same style in a certain way... or all the people that are unique ive seen 10,000 times so it all just sort of blurs to me now...

i mean i love popping just as much as ever and i can watch it and think about it and do it all day.. but the PASSION and the EXCITEMENT feels a lot more rare now... does anyone feel the same way?

i have also begun exploring other art forms like making music and video editing and design a lot more now so maybe it's just my creativity branching out in different ways...

what do you guys think??

im so over the events too... except for garrett's house... my idea of a good popping event is a bunch of people on acid... :)

lol

[Graph]

"my idea of a good popping event is a bunch of people on acid... Smile"

COSIGN!


Graph

[itstitoitstito]

thats becus u take poppin too seriously u dont have as much fun as u used to have... becus poppin should be spontaneous..

some can pop like they are workin... and still have fun with it i have respect for em tho
________
Angelciel cam (http://camslivesexy.com/cam/Angelciel)

[TETRIS]

Mr.Brit in the house!


Sometimes i feel that way, since its rare nowadays when you see someone doing something completely mind blowing (except when u see the hardcore OGs get down), but like recently, when i saw that one Umin vid (the one with the 2 solos) stuff like taht makes me hyped again.

I also agree with tito, when u take poppin too serious, it becomes a task or a routine, and it can bring down the fun.

I still find it very interesting and i still love it even though my mind is on a million other things hehe 8)

[t0xic]

battle people that are better than you that you dont know

[Snale]

hmm

i used to feel that way, but i hardly watch any videos at all.

if you keep watching alot of videos or the same videos, you dull yourself.

and i spend less time watching other people create and watch myself more.

when you develop your own style and set goals for yourself, it becomes a full time thing...

i replaced the perceived repetition of others by looking at myself in new ways.

it takes time for someone to get their own "look" going.

messing with other arts helps you understand how important you are to your dance.

like, so what if you can make music like RJD2, can you make music RJD@ would listen too?

thats my goal atm, peace

[LOBO]

Just take a break from popin man, sometimes that can help. Like a few weeks break or sumthin.

Also in my opinion one shuldnt compare themselves to others .... say like u see sum1 doin insane waves, musicality, and control....ur like fawk I gota catch up or start learnin that..... Naw.... just be like wow thats dope. K ima do my own thang.. ;]

tito's right, the less stress u have w/ poppin, the more fun you'll have wit it.

[Ge0m3tRiC]

werd Otis, werd.

[t0xic]

i think too many people stay at home and pop/watch popping videos, talk on forums, or always watch things from a distance and dont include themselves in events...

id say half of the popping population out there are these kinda people..

they think they suck and so they give up...

people need to try and include themsleves in the scene, go to an open session or a club or a party or a jam an event..and bust out...call people out..anyhting it makes you want to get better...

meeting people that pop, or ogs makes a huge impact on how you pop

this is advice for everyone

[iamPROTOTYPE]

before i read thru all tha replies, and judged it by the title i was ready to reply with...
"popping is at a really high level right now, way higher than when we were impressed with a basic wave.. conclusion: your jaded."
i read what you had to say though, and i understand what you mean..
everyone had really good replies too..
tetris pretty much summed up how i feel though..
its not my main focus and consuming me like it used to (maybe thats a good thing?), but i still love it.. and the people that love it too. :D
yo brit..
science of mind bro. you know!

[Boogiewalker]

I think the "I'm just changing" aspect is a valid reason...

I mean, when I first started getting into dancing through hip hop choreo., I would trip every time I saw some "dope" choreo. piece or some big-name hip hop choreographer come up with something.

Then, as I got more into funkstyles and street-style dances, my excitement for hip hop choreo. dancing diminished--to the point now where if I see "dope" hip hop choreo., I say, "yeah, that's good hip hop choreo., but I really don't care that much about it..."

I think perhaps since you've been in the popping scene so long, your own take on the scene is influenced by your exposure (over-exposure?) to all things popping-related. I know there's still excitement in the scene b/c things are growing and changing and whenever I meet new cats who are just starting to learn, they're really into it.

so, anyway, I think a person has to think about which particular lense they're viewing the situation through and take into consideration their own station in life in terms of evaluating your attitude or judgment of something first...

[Boogiewalker]

I think the "I'm just changing" aspect is a valid reason...

I mean, when I first started getting into dancing through hip hop choreo., I would trip every time I saw some "dope" choreo. piece or some big-name hip hop choreographer come up with something.

Then, as I got more into funkstyles and street-style dances, my excitement for hip hop choreo. dancing diminished--to the point now where if I see "dope" hip hop choreo., I say, "yeah, that's good hip hop choreo., but I really don't care that much about it..."

I think perhaps since you've been in the popping scene so long, your own take on the scene is influenced by your exposure (over-exposure?) to all things popping-related. I know there's still excitement in the scene b/c things are growing and changing and whenever I meet new cats who are just starting to learn, they're really into it.

so, anyway, I think a person has to think about which particular lense they're viewing the situation through and take into consideration their own station in life in terms of evaluating your attitude or judgment of something first...

[LOGiC]

.....sigh*


i have to agree a lot with what a few of you have said... cause i feel the same way.


...is anyone going to have the guts to step up with me and keep the innovation in this scene alive....?... probably not.


but i agree... popping is losing something, and is dying.

Why..?... perfect example is my "battle" post... it is impossible to simply request a competition or introduce new styles or ideas to the community without getting sucked into a shit-talking session.


people are so concrete about their idea of this dance.. that we're doomed to become a boring past-time that people occasionally mock a night clubs or when they're really drunk.


we'll be reduced down to i-pod commercials or circus performers pretty soon here. :roll:

so much tension and static... when it comes to anything "new"



Something to think about... even right here on this website you can get a feel for what i'm talking about...

... read the Wiggles interview.

He describes a scene that I would be proud to have been a part of.

Why.....?...
1.) because in his day it was okay to innovate.
2.) because it was expected that you call people out to brand your new
moves and prove superiority in doing the existing ones.
3.) branding and name recognition were key. (you wanted to be known
as "that popper" who was seen doing moves no one has ever seen)
4.) you were allowed to create new styles or blowups
5.) the dance was evolving.
6.) people were competitive... not crying bitches.
7.) you weren't as concerned with offending people as much as proving
you were the best.
8.) no politics
9.) you lived and breathed the dance... and kept it growing.

THE DANCE WAS CONSTANTLY CHANGING

10.) Why is popping going to fade away???......
...... because today's dancers are simply more comfortable repeating the same series of moves, assuming everything has been created already, sticking to whats comfortable and easy to understand, and crucifying anyone who dares to point out that it's 2007 and about time we came up with some new shit.


This could be so much more... but we choose what's easy.

I've posted what I have to say on this website.. I'm out.


pce, luv and respect.

[jigsaw]

*sings* You're going thru changes.

[duongbong]

hey man...fear of full commitment and the knowledge of the hardships that comes with full commitment into mastering your art.

maybe you jump to other things cuz it is always easy to start new. abandon what you've had before to release your hardships of your "current" art into something "new". that's a mind game that many of us do. and when one goes through something new they most likely succeed in the beginning...but the contrast of the "newfound" art form to the struggle of the art form you have been struggling with is released...or at least one thinks. it is illusion. i maybe wrong...but look into your heart and find truth. no one can tell this except for you my friend.
-taken from the new book "hello objective self, hello subjective self...nice to finally meet you"

anyways bro...nice to see you on the boards again. i knew even when took yourself off the wigz board...your desire was still there and you'd find a replacement for it. welcome funkey-meyer.

[jigsaw]

1.) because in his day it was okay to innovate.
2.) because it was expected that you call people out to brand your new
moves and prove superiority in doing the existing ones.
3.) branding and name recognition were key. (you wanted to be known
as "that popper" who was seen doing moves no one has ever seen)
4.) you were allowed to create new styles or blowups
5.) the dance was evolving.
6.) people were competitive... not crying bitches.
7.) you weren't as concerned with offending people as much as proving
you were the best.
8.) no politics
9.) you lived and breathed the dance... and kept it growing.

1)It's okay to innovate now, just because most choose not to doesn't mean shit to me. That's their lame ass choice.
2)I don't care what moves you do, just keep it playful with teh music and have fun.
3)Who cares about that? Not me.
4)WHAT THE FUCK! And now you aren't? I guess if you feel that way I'm sad for you.
5)The dance is evolving where there is progression and that can be any and everywhere.
6)Competition isn't as important to me as sharing and learning now and I have way more fun now.
7)I don't know who's out there afraid of offending others, but that's your hangup not "Poppin's problem".
8)Don't want to get involved in the political bs? Don't.
9) People do this today.

[BigBlackBrit]

it's the scene...

the dance is still as good as ever :)

love you all thanks for your replies

[iamPROTOTYPE]

yo Brit..
have you seen those BK bruk up flexers? those guys are exciting to watch...

we have done such a good job of actively seeking out the OGz and preserving their personal history, each OG adding a piece to the giant puzzle. we have made our artform more accepted and respected in the "legit" commercial dance world.. by organizing styles and terminology into a systematic, organized format that can be more easily taught to the masses.

but in the process i think we have lost sight of what made our beloved artform so amazing..
that freedom to let loose and INNOVATE...
the freedom to be ORIGINAL...
the freedom to.... create.

these bruk up, flexin, turfin, buckin dancers were "popping" more than most of us who studied this dance... simply because they are doing what the OGz did when they created this artform... creating. yea, the names are not the same.. but thats just names. they were freely expressing themselves in dance by creating... what "popping", "poplocking", "strutting" was founded on... and exactly what produced all the styles we are trying to duplicate today.
dont get me twisted, its wonderful we have done what we have.. just like its wonderful these dancers are doing what they are doing...
we have helped preserve history that mightve otherwise been lost to time, we have helped some pioneers' stories live on through their influence and effect on us... its great for the OGz, for the generations to come, and the culture/artform itself...
but we cannot limited ourselves to just the history thats been passed down to us. we need to take what we have been blessed with, and take it further, just like the OGz did... thats what they want us to do. (some of us have already been doing this Tetris n others)
just like its up to the turfers, flexers, n buckers to learn history and technique if they want...
its up to us to take what we have been blessed with and do something (CREATE something) with it....
respect to ALLL dancers.. from the burbs to the hoods, worldwide.
lets ALLLL take this shiet to 3 levels past the next level.

[Icon]

lets step up our games!

those bruk up, flexin, turfin, buckin dancers are inspiring to watch due to the freedom and and the originality they have. props to them!

[chinkzilla]

sup guys.

I got sick of the scene a long time ago.

Egos clashing shit talking muscle flexing my style is better than yours B.S.

I stay plugged into the scene via you guys. My local homies and dancers. Events are BS and they suck.

I'd rather hang out with the homies at a dope house club any night.


What keeps my interest in popping?

Well first I discovered that I could dance for a purpose. Joining culture shock has really helped me with this. Before I would dance to uh, become a better dancer so that I could uh... dance better. What was I doing it for? Me?

Now I know that with my talents I'm able to give back to the community and raise some money for a good cause, or put a smile on a kid's face. Maybe give some teenager a reason to stay off drugs and out of gangs.
That's why I'm dancing now.

The other thing that keeps me going is HOW I'm using my dance. We get to perform in large professional level productions and I'm constantly surrounded by incredibly talented and creative people. The energy I get bouncing our ideas off of each other and being able to make those ideas a reality is indescribable.

Working with people like Jet Li, Tito, Andrea, Boogiewalker, and Lobo has given me a kind of creative freedom that I could never imagine before when just freestyling with myself. It's the next level.

I'm now challenged to come up with routines and moves that people have never seen before and really blow their minds. It's fun.

[itstitoitstito]

yeh i agree dennis. ...
i will be comin out once im free again..sorry .. and truly


1. dance cus i enjoy it
2. dance to help kids... reachin out to the community... and workin with a gang of dancin friends...is a joy of life nothing better than this...
not just dancin for myself and tryin to be famous and get money out of it..... but instead...do waht i enjoy to do to give back to the society...thats why i choose culture shock...thats what i want to do part time...

when i dance i try to leave money or fame behind
________
PRILOSEC LAWSUIT SETTLEMENTS (http://www.classactionsettlements.org/lawsuit/prilosec/)

[LOGiC]

that sounds like what its all about chinkzilla.


just wish people would start doing more creative and inspiring idea sharing and less internet popping and couch-side shit talking.

i support the vegas future and culture shock crews.


give back... dancing saved me.. as it did for many of you


sounds like you've got a tight event coming up on sun. give props to lobo and jet li from me. we'll be cyphering in a couple months

[JustBust1]

to put it simply why the popping scene sucks is because poppers worry too

much about moving "up" in the scene and being the winner of the next

popping event; Not about dancing to be themselves or have fun.


and I agree with you Dennis. It was a pleasure to do the show with you, thanks for the experience.

[Otter805]

I notice I feel "bored" with popping/funkstyles, for me personally is when I am in a slump. In fact I have been in a slump for about two months (military doesn't help that much though :() I am hoping that when I move back to cali it will kill some of this slump/boredom.

[priya_paprika]

* excuse me for writing a novel here

[VINHTERCOURSE]

explore other dance styles/cultures....

i use ot be into popping/boog/waving...etc


but now im a house dancer. perhaps the style/culture just isn't for you!


who knows, or perhaps you could find that by doing another dance, you realize how much you love popping!

[Tonyflow]

Yup...i think everyone go thru this phase one time or another...


Sometimes creativity flows....sometimes it just feel stucked and dull..

Whenever I feel like this, I would get myself to a club/party....take a movement away from my homies....just immerse in music myself alone....and DANCE! Yes...just dance....not doing any moves/styles...just
simply listen to the beats and let myself do whatever the mind and body tells me

That....I feel very helpful to get thru them "low seasons"

;)

Holla from Taiwan

TonyFlow

[k-tick]

Its exciting for me right now becasue I just started! Ask me again in 5 years.

[2(s)hawt]

wow this thread just seriously turned me off...

from watching utube videos..

i knw that it can detract u from individuality n stuff..but i forgot..i didnt realise if u know what i mean =p

i agree..less sitting on my ass watchin videos of people getting better than me/ already better than me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[prostylez]

Just go raving :) it'll probably make you forget about how dull dancing is and how fun it'll be!! well for me it does :)

[shokwav]

I'm with you guys. Battles have become the dance forum of the 'jock'. Too many people who dance at those events (and who watch them) have no sense of etiquette. It's one thing to mime pulling out someone's heart or strike a slick pose in an opponent's grill, but some people get straight up disrespectful. I went to a Bboy battle the other day and this one dude made obnoxious gestures to the crowd WHILE his opponent was dancing, and if that weren't enough, he got on the dance floor before the guy was finished and just took it over. His ass shoulda been booted out for that, but he ended up winning that round.

That's what happens when people see dancing as a sport rather than an art. You can see it in the comments people leave on battles posted on youtube. There's always some @$$ who's like "Hyun Joon is better than all these guys," or "So and so is a Salah wannabe." I even saw a comment once saying that such and such a dancer 'owned' a dancer from a different video, and BOTH DANCERS WERE THE SAME PERSON!

I got into dancing through the rave scene, and though that scene had its own snobs, the general vibe was peace, love, unity, respect. If you were too self conscious to dance, friendly people would 'roll' up and offer you gifts and encouragement (or fake drugs). Since the scene's pretty much dead now, and since I'm not into trance, I've gone to some House music nights and found much the same love as the old days and plenty of great dancers. Now I just need to find a cool club that plays some boogie funk and electro and I'll be content. Anyone know of anyplace like that in the DC area?

-Peace {@_@}

[shokwav]

Nevertheless, I still think there are plenty of interesting & creative poppers, many of whom have great attitudes. Here are some urls:

Hojin vs. Gucchon - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIgQL7vk5Ts
(This battle has a great vibe, and their second sets make it one of the best popping battles I've ever seen. even the crowd is really cool)

Onion popping to Aphex Twin - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVU2EmnTyj4&mode=related&search=
(New music inspires new movement. If people keep popping to nothing but Cameo and Twilight 22, their styles won't evolve.)

Iron Mike vs. Shonn Boog - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v1ULVe4kwM
(I wouldn't step into the arena with either of these monsters! This battle is sick--each set is better than the next.)

U-Min - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSdhDyPhyiU&mode=related&search=
(If you wanna see some insanely artistic choreography, look no further.)

Dementia vs. Salah - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8u9s4bih1Q&NR=1
(Dementia rocks the beat and his tuts are on point, and Salah pulls out some classic crowd pleasing antics)

Nam Hyun Joon doing 'Peter Pan' routine - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpMrj2Y2vaA&mode=related&search=
(Awkwardly elegant popping to orchestral music. It reminds me of Being John Malkovich.)

Hojin vs. K-Min - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSe1nD50_zE
(This battle is raw as $hit, these guys are less concerned with perfect technique than with simply killin' the beat!)

Formel Eins - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdRs97fIiHg&mode=related&search=
(At the end of the day, it really doesn't get any better than this. Straight up old school, through and through, Formel col' boogin' ta tha Jonzun Crew.)

[G]

I just love the people, although occasionally someone busts something out that blows my mind. Although I'm not really putting it into practice, I've finally realized that dancing is only fun when I'm the one who's feeling it and doing it. Its not satisfying to live vicariously through other people's passions anymore. I could care less if I'm interesting to watch or whatever, so long as whatever I'm doing (be it dance or music or whatever) is interesting to ME I'm happy.

[k-tick]

Thanks for sharing those nice clips Shokwav! :twisted: