Dance battles are so much fun because you see a totally different side of the dancers and the dancers interact with each other in unique, often funny, ways. For those of you who saw some of those gatherings during the week of the JCHS vs. Hooch game during lunch while the music was playing in which a few people were dancing in the enclosed bubble of the crowd, I want to clear up a misconception. That was not a dance battle. That was simply a group of the student body crowding around some people who were dancing past each other. There is a distinct difference. Just as well, my confident bet is that 98% of the people huddled around the blaring speakers to observe the event had no little to none of the knowledge that you have after reading my past three blogs. Ok, I'll guarantee it. All of that aside, it was still fun to spectate.
Dance battles are different.
The spontaneity of the whole situation creates an air of excitement. The dark, empty stage is illuminated by the vibrant spotlights, and the thunderous applause from the crowd begins. As the dancers take the stage, the crowd whoops and hollers. The MC introduces the two teams/dancers/crews and the opponents then move to opposite sides of the dance floor. Immediately the eager cries of the crowd die as the DJ drops a phat beat, which dancers on both sides welcome the music into their bodies with open arms; the music flows through them, allowing just enough control for them retain volition over their bodies. Then one dancer makes a bold move, sliding forward into the center of the arena. As he strings together isolations, waving, gliding, and tutting, the cheers, almost rivaling the music's voice. The dancer ends with an immaculate beatkill and the crowd roars its approval. A confident strut takes the dancer back to his territory and the floor awaits the feet of the next dancer.
That is a dance battle.
When you watch a really good dance battle a wave of delight kind of pervades through the crowd and even to a viewer watching it on YouTube. I have never been to a dance battle live, but I will links to the some battles of the battles that give me this feeling.
So if a picture is worth a thousand words, videos must be worth a couple million, right? Well as a supplement to the scene described above, give either of these a quick watch (you don't have to see all of it; about a minute or two is good): Bboy Battle or Hip hop battle
The first link had a bit more of an aggressive hint to it because it was a breakdancing battle which requires the dancers to assert themselves directly using both gestures and intricate moves, while the second video is representative of a typical hip hop battle. Battles communicate the fun the audience is having when you see the dancer execute a move that is in sync with the music and the crowd then pipes up with cheers and applause. This could have been seen in either link.
This subset of dance is only REALLY fun when you actually watch full on dance battles or excerpts. Dance battles are typically 5-10 minutes, but that varies based on the competition. In my honest opinion, the most entertaining and exhilarating hip hop battles are those that feature Les Twins.
You may remember that I mentioned them in earlier blogs. It's only fitting that I give you more history about them.
The Twins, or Les Twins in French, are two french dancers who have taken the hip hop dance scene by storm. These two brothers, Larry and Laurent, don't speak much English, but they communicate with the world through their dance. Based off of interviews and whatnot, I have gleaned that they have been dancing before the age of 9 because Laurent's first dance battle was at age 9 -- they are 24 now. They initially made appearances on the "America's Got Talent" equivalent in France, and shortly after began competing in -- and winning -- big dance tournaments worldwide. They even did shows with Beyoncé for a while. These guys are accomplished dancers, but their dance continues to grow and their dance is what separates them from the rest of the hip hop crowd -- IN A BIG WAY.
What differentiates them from the ever-growing crowd of dancers on the global stage is their impeccable musicality -- the ability or process of responding to the music: these two just feel the music and react to it--harness it--so well. This is something you really have to hear in their voice. Here is part of an interview in which Laurent talks about the musicality. What is really interesting is that he's not actually dancing---in the video he is moving his upper body only, but in movements that would seem so unconventional, odd even, without the music---but with the music he is creating moving art. It is remarkable. Laurent Interview Did you notice at 1:28 he says, "I no dance,"? Then what happened? Did you spot the beatkills and isolations? He does it so well.
Now the twins in battle are two different people. Sure they're still feeling the music and executing the moves, but these guys are 6'4" -- no matter how you look at it, that's a formidable stature, domineering even, to have to go up against, especially when a large portion of dancers are rather short haha. What adds to this formidable nature of the twins is that they are not even battling the other dancers. Most of the time they battle themselves -- the other twin. Sure they are brothers, but they always want to be better than the other -- typical sibling rivalry I suppose. The twins also have deadly combos: one twin can pick up on the movements that the other twin is doing and jump in at the right moment to create a combo comprised of both of them. That synergy is a really huge edge above many of their opponents. Sometimes, when the twins are aggressive in a battle, they don't even pay the opponent much notice and battle each other, which brings out some of their best free styling. And of course, like in all dance battles, they make gestures at the opponent or mimc the opponent's moves as if to say, "Did you really put soul into that move? Nice try buddy."
Now here are videos showing the twins dominating in battle. You need to see it to believe and understand it. Oh and also, the MCs and judges tend to get effusive and enthused in battles, which is pretty comical.
Here is the first battle in full: Twins vs OF Crew (haha the shorty with the hat tried to play tough guy at 2:40 in the battle)
- Laurent is about to begin his round when he suddenly hears a song that he knows VERY WELL. He shakes his head in a matter that can only mean, "Y'all are toast now." Watch what happens: Twins: You're a Jerk Did you notice how Laurent smokes the other team with that incredible beatkill? And how the twins combo'd together at 40 seconds in? And how they battled each other towards the end?
- Larry's turn to roast a team to a song he can take to the limit. Keep an eye out for the same things from the link above, but pay close attention to Larry's beatkills -- they are pristine: Larry: Go Go Yubari Did you see that killer beatkill at :23, :40, :49?
- Here is the last battle. It is a final between two different dance styles. What's interesting is that Larry starts off the battle being friendly and engaging the opposing team when one of the girls spits out a nasty, rather aggressive, remark (see if you catch it) to establish that gritty battle air on the stage. After that, Larry moves back to his twin and they both adjust tip their hats down, obscuring their eyes and creating a daunting appearance -- Larry isn't playing nice guy anymore. Watch what happens at 5:20 in the video: Twins battle
Dance battles are so much fun to watch and be a part of. Hopefully you get that sense now and realize that a lot more than just the moves goes into dance and dance battles: the gestures, handling of the music, dancer synergy (if its a crew or team dancing together), and dancer interactions play an integral role in creating this widely popular facet of dance.
I leave you with one more battle: Juste Debout final 2011
-Kylesh
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