ABSTRACT
Dance in general has been part of human history since its earliest origins. B-boy dance has had a huge positive influence on youths and the society. It has been a tool that unifies streets and community from the early 1970s and 1980s till date. B-boy dance has helped to calm street violence amongst the black American community and has been part of the culture ever since then till date. Here in Edo state Nigeria, dancer Blackman has been able to use the dance style to help many young boys in the street gain focus and purpose in life. The dance itself is a form of physical exercise it has the advantage that sports would give to you. After the performance of the dance, dancers are physically, mentally fit.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study
..B-boy dance is a part of the hip hop dance style that has its root in the United States'.
Hip hop dance is a range of street dance styles primarily performed to Hip hop music and have evolved as part of Hip hop culture. It is influenced by a wide range of styles that were created in the 1970s and made popular by dance crews in the United States.
Hip-hop dance is a unique and exciting style of street dance that is most commonly performed to hip-hop music. Hip-hop dance is a vibrant form of dance that combines a variety of freestyle movements to create a cultural piece of art. Through its three main styles of popping, locking, and breaking, hip-hop dance has evolved into one of the most popular and influential styles of dance.
B-boying, known to many simply as break-dancing is a dance-sport, originated in the 1980s in New York's South Bronx region as a way for opposing gang members to get even without fighting. From the underground fight clubs of Brooklyn, it has now travelled overground to various arenas across the world.
Breaking is a strong genre of the hip hop culture that has grown and gained dominance as a style of dance all around the world since way back in time as early as mid 1970’s and it is arguable with few evidence that Nigeria also plays a role in the history of the culture as there have been some footages of past generations practicing the culture somewhere in Kaduna state in Nigeria.
In Nigeria, Hip-hop music and dance only began to gain popularity in the mid-1990s. The initial success of The “Remedies” was probably the catalyst. Formed in 1997, the group released two songs, “Judile” and “Shako mo”, which became overnight hits in Nigeria.
This study is on a prominent B-boy dancer in Edo state Blackman who is helping to popularize the dance style.
1.2 Methodology of Study
The method of this research process will be based on personal interview with mr Blackman.
Secondary source shall also be consulted through library research and internet sources.
1.3 Aims and Objective of the Study
The aim of this study is to document the life and works of B- boy dancer Blackman and his influence on youths.
The study were guide by the following specific objectives;
- Document the biography of dancer Blackman.
- To document how he started dancing
- To document his career and work
- To document his style of B-boy dance
- To document his impact on youths.
1.4 Scope of the Study
The scope of the Study is based on the life and times of B-boy dancer Blackman
The scope of the study is limited to hip-hop B-boy dance and the life of dancer Blackman, and his impact on the youths in Benin.
1.5 Significance of the Study
This study contributes to the efforts of writers, critics and scholars who probably don't know much about B-boy dance and it's positive effects on the youths of our society today.A study like this will provide an insight into the cultural history of Hip-Hop and thus serve as an invaluable repository for scholars who are interested in African American literature and culture. Principally the significance of the study is on the life of a solo dancer and how he has built up his career as a dancer.
1.6 Limitations of the Study
The problems and challenges that will confront me in this study are
- Availability of literature
- Time constraints: due to the Asuu strike the semester was too short, and rehearsal time to meet up other departmental course.
1.7 Definition of Concepts
DANCE: Dance is a Performing Art form consisting of sequences of movement, either improvised or purposefully selected. These movements have aesthetic and often symbolic value.
HIP HOP: A style of popular music of US black and Hispanic origin, featuring rap with an electronic backing.
HIP HOP DANCE: Hip hop dance is a range of street dance styles primarily performed to hip hop music or that have evolved as part of hip hop culture. It is influenced by a wide range of styles that were created in the 1970s and made popular by dance crews all over the world.(Wikipedia)
B-BOY DANCE: Breakdancing, also called breaking or b-boying/b-girling, is an athletic style of street dance originating from the African American and Puerto Rican communities in the United States.
