"There Were Females That Danced Too": Uncovering the Role of Women in Breaking History. Issue 2 (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aprahamian, Serouj
• Is Part Of: Dance research journal. Volume 52:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 41
• Page End: 58
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: b-boy, -- b-boying, -- b-girl, -- b-girling, -- breakdance, -- breaking, -- gender, -- hip-hop, -- rap, -- urban dance; Dance -- Periodicals; 793.3
• DOI: 10.1017/S0149767720000169
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7677

Abstract

Abstract : The dominant narrative regarding breaking history is that the dance developed as an "exclusively male" expression of inner-city "machismo." In this study, I challenge this narrative by bringing in the voices of breaking's often-neglected founding practitioners. By juxtaposing primary testimonies with mainstream representations, I aim to show how women have histoirically played a critical role in the dance, and how hegemonic discourse has obscured our understanding of hip-hop's beginnings. I also consider how uncovering the role of women in breaking's history reframes prevailing conceptualizations of its gender performance.