The upcoming Battle of the Month in September promises to be an exciting event, featuring a rocking 1vs1 contest as one of the main disciplines. It’s about time for rockers in Germany and Europe to show off, impress the judges (Papo774, Fly, Kenan) and crowd while expression the beauty of Rock Dance. Don’t miss out on the chance to be a part of the raw atmosphere and see who emerges victorious in the rocking contest – huh!
Rocking judges showcase BOTM 2023
Rock Dance enthusiasts, this is your chance to step up to the Rocking 1vs1 Contest this year in Stuttgart, Germany, at the Event „Battle of the Month“ and show off your skills on the floor! But this event isn’t just for competitors, if you like dance or simply looking for a great day of entertainment, this event will be a can’t-miss experience, you won’t want to miss!
May, 27th 2023 – Stuttgart – Germany
Spoiler – !Just to save your time!
Don’t keep reading, if you don’t see any reason to improve your rocking through integration of different genres of music into your rocking style but just to keep rocking to the classics!
Otherwise if you are interested in the topic music and rocking, keep reading!
Introduction
The relationship between music and dance is complex and dynamic, with each element influencing the other in profound ways. Whether you are a dancer looking to improve your performance or a music lover interested in the interplay of sound and movement, or a DJ who wants to rock the party, understanding the key factors that contribute to a successful skill improvement, gain knowledge while freedom of expression, is essential.
This article describes the important considerations for incorporating different musical genres into Uprocking (Rocking), from the role of rhythm and tempo to the cultural context and historical background of New York City.
We remember!
Lets backup for a moment and refresh our minds about the historical impact of Jazz, Latin, Funk, Soul, Rock and Disco music. What have these genres in common and what impact they had on the development of street dance styles like Rocking in New York City? These genres were major influences on the development of NYC street dance styles. These genres helped to shape the musical landscape of NYC and creating a new and dynamic genre of street dance that blended elements of jazz, rock, funk, soul, disco, and Latin music. Whether it was through the improvisational approach of jazz, the passionate beats of funk, the driving beats and amplified sound of classic rock, or the energetic grooves of Latin music. Artists and Groups like, James Brown, Louis Amstrong, Edgar Winter Group, Babe Huey, Tito Puente, Willie Colon, Jacksons 5, Incredible Bongo Band, The Jimmy Castor Bunch, The Temptations helped create a new and dynamic sound and approach to street dance – Rocking
Lets get started!
Music and dance have a close relationship where they often complement each other. Music sets the rhythm and pace for dance, while dance provides visual expression to music. This relationship has existed throughout history in many cultures and has been used in various forms of entertainment, cultural rituals, and social gatherings. The interplay between music and dance often enhances the emotional impact of both art forms.
Ok cool!
What happens if you rock to the same music over and over again ?
In my humble opinion, dancing to the same music over and over again can lead to monotony and boredom for the dancer. Familiarity with the music can cause the dancer to rely on muscle memory and become less creative in their movements. This can result in a lack of expression and a decreased emotional connection to the music.
Hmm, Ok! What else?
Dancing to the same music repeatedly can become predictable for the opponent, and audience, leading to a lack of interest!
What is the benefit of incorporating different music genres into your Rocking ?
Dancing to different styles of music can help you to expand your musical knowledge, increase versatility, keep your Skillz fresh, challenge yourself, your opponent and your audience!
Tips for improving musical selection to have an impact on your dance skillz:
Experiment with different genres:
Try out various styles of music to expand your musical horizons and discover new favorites. Experimenting with different genres can also help you understand how different types of music can affect your rock style.
Listen to music carefully:
Pay attention to the rhythm, tempo, and melody of the music you listen to. This can help you identify which pieces of music are best suited to your rocking style and which ones you may want to avoid.
Study the music:
Read about the history of the music you like and listen to it closely. This can help you understand the context and cultural background of the music, which can deepen your connection to it!!!
Practice:
The more you dance to different types of music, the better you will become at selecting pieces that suit your rock style and enhancing your dance skills
What is important when incorporating different music genres into your Rocking style ?
Rhythm: Rocking is heavily dependent on rhythm, so it’s crucial to select music that has a strong and clear beat. Consider Music with complex rhythms or changes in tempo, can make it challenging to execute smooth and precise movements.
Tempo: The tempo of a song can impact the pace and energy of your rocking.
Faster tempos are better suited to upbeat, high-energy styles like breaking, while slower tempos may be better for more controlled, detailed and technical styles. That does not mean, you can not rock or break to a slow/up-tempo song or beat!
Dynamics: Dynamic changes in the music, such as changes in intensity, can add an extra layer of challenge for you and enhance your performance.
Musicality: Musical elements/instruments such as drums, bongos, congas, electric/funk/bass guitar, horns sections, saxophone, vocals and melody to inspire your movements. Incorporating music that has a strong musicality can help you to connect with the music and enhance the emotional expression of your rocking performance.
Cultural context: Different music genres have different cultural roots and origins, so it’s important to be mindful of this when selecting music for rocking. The cultural context can impact the style, energy, and expression tone of your rocking!
What cultural aspects needs to be considered when incorporating different music genres with Rocking ?
Historical context: Uprocking, also known as Rocking, is a form of street “battle” dance style that originated in Brooklyn in the late 60s, early 1970s. Incorporating music that is historically relevant or inspired to this time period, can help to maintain the authenticity of the dance style!
Geographic context: New York City is known for its diverse musical influences (Melting Pot) and has been a hub for various musical genres including hip-hop, R&B, Latin, and jazz. Incorporating music from these genres can reflect the multicultural makeup of the city and enhance your rocking.
Socio-economic and Political context should be also considered. However, by considering these cultural aspects, you can ensure that the music you incorporate into your Uprock style reflects the rich cultural heritage and history of New York City and the rock dance community.
Wrapping up
In conclusion, music and dance are deeply interconnected and have a profound impact on one another. From the cultural influences that shape the development of different dance styles like Uprocking (Rocking), to the various instruments and musical genres. Whether it is the energetic and powerful sounds of rock music, the soulful and smooth sounds of jazz, or the infectious rhythms of funk and disco, music has been an integral part of the development of street dance in New York City.
This article has highlighted the importance of music in shaping the further development of the street dance style – Uprocking (Rocking) from New York City. By exploring the cultural, musical, and historical influences that shape the development of Rocking, we gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which music and dance are inextricably linked and how they continue to influence each other to this day.
not long time ago, I was working on differentiating types of rockers and for the first time I came up with the following definition:
Rocker type 1:
There are rockers with such an extraordinary intuition,
with an almost spooky premonition that gives the impression that they are experiencing a fight in a kind of deja vu and not here and now.
Rocker type 2:
There are rockers who fight skillfully but mechanically and thus have nothing of their own to counter changes in the opponent’s strategy.
Rocker type 3:
There are rockers who give it their all and at the height of the fight realize they are losing.
Rocker type 4:
There are rockers, world champions in their own right – whose myths end abruptly and irrevocably under the eyes of the audience.
Rocker type 5:
There are rockers who possess an extraordinary and disturbing perceptive ability, with which you not only anticipate every opponent’s move, but also sense the slightest shifts in the mood of the audience, for which they feel responsible.
What rocker type do you fit in ? No# 1 to 5
it’s a matter of perspective…
R-(RAW)
O-(ORIGINAL)
C-(CREATIVE)
K-(KENAN)
I – (INCREDIBLE)
N-(NASTY)
G-(GERMANY)
If you’re into dance, IG is a great place to discover new dance styles, trends, and choreographers. Whether you’re interested in classical ballet, contemporary dance, or something more experimental, you can find a wide variety of dance content on the platform, and observing this content can be a great way to learn, be inspired, and connect with other dance enthusiasts.
One of the great things about observing dance on IG is that it allows you to see a wide variety of dance styles and techniques. From traditional forms like ballet and salsa, to more modern urban dance styles, you can find examples of almost any type of dance on the platform. But the focus here is Rocking (Uprocking) from NYC!
Rocking (Uprocking)
Rocking, also known as uprocking, is a battle dance style that involves fast feetwork and energetic body movements. It is often performed as a battle dance, with two dancers facing off against each other and trying to outdo each other with their moves. Rocking is characterized by its aggressive, high-energy style and often involves such as burns, jerks, freestyle, spins, hand gestures, and freezes.
Observations
A lot of the shared videos about Rocking on IG have a few things in common.
Execution of Jerks
It can be observed that in a lot rocking videos on IG, individuals rock against each other, jerks are not fully executed regardless of different rock styles from different boroughs in NYC and different style of jerks. But usually in most cases a jerk is into a squatting position meaning you drop down!
To be excluded here are obviously old generation rockers, who may not able to go down all the way because of knee injuries over the years!
Freestyle
When rock dancers perform solo dancing to show off their personal style, it can be noticed that the variety of styles does not feel natural and basically does not fit to each and every individual. Freestyle can involve a wide range of techniques and styles, and there are many different ways to approach it. Doing simple feetworks with a groove can be very nice, but it is required to be on beat, all the time.
The most important thing is to find (a) style:s that works for you, and to have fun with it.
Final words…
Also to be mention, is that social media platforms like IG has influenced dance by making it more accessible. When in the past, people might have had to seek out dance classes or workshops in order to learn how to dance, but today, there are countless dance tutorials and instructional available online. This makes it easy for anyone, regardless of their location or dance experience, to learn how to dance from their comfort of their own home! If you are an experienced dancer, social media can be a great source. However, there are also downsides when learning dance via social media.
No matter, in general it’s important to find an instructor or resource that is suitable for your skill level and interests. As you progress, you may want to consider trying different styles or levels of instruction to find what works best for you.
If you are not trained or experienced in/with rocking foundation, it’s important to seek the assistance of rockers with experience in rocking foundation.