"If you've driven by San Jose State on a Sunday or Tuesday, you might've seen people doing headspins by the MLK Library's front steps. Breakdancing, an energetic, acrobatic dance of precision, is experiencing a resurgence of interest in the area after decades of ebbs and flows in popularity. With breakdancing competitions still being held globally, as well as many underground events in the Bay, what initially developed in New York in the '70s has piqued the interest of a younger generation."
"Breakdancing or "breaking," emerged from communities of the Bronx in the 1970s, intertwined with the genesis of hip-hop culture. Poor, marginalized youth pioneered the dance form, blending unseen rhythmic footwork and athleticism to early DJ sets from trailblazers like Kool Herc or Grandmaster Flash. By the early 1980s, breaking made its way to California through the popularity of early hip-hop themed films like Breakin' or Wild Style."
Breakdancing is experiencing renewed interest in San Jose and the Bay Area, with visible practice sessions by the MLK Library steps and active local meetings. Student organizers report growing participation and community vibrancy. Breaking originated in the Bronx during the 1970s as part of hip-hop culture, created by marginalized youth combining rhythmic footwork and athleticism to DJs like Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash. The form spread to California in the early 1980s through films, while Bay Area styles absorbed Oakland locking and robotic influences emphasizing individuality. Local cyphers emerged in the 1980s and enthusiasts shared VHS tapes of European competitions before the internet.
Read at Metro Silicon Valley | Silicon Valley's Leading Weekly
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