“
Bring me the street!
launches the host of the
Battle of Legends
event into his microphone .
Saturday, February 5, the hip-hop culture born in the streets landed on stage and by any.
More than 90 dancers from all generations invaded the Pierre Boulez room at the Philharmonie de Paris.
Organized by Romuald Brizolier, this show combining dance battle and historical retrospective is part of the Hip-Hop 360 exhibition, on display until July 24 at Porte de Pantin.
It's nothing new, hip-hop has become a popular phenomenon.
It even treats itself to an immersive exhibition which reminds us that before being invited to the Opera, this movement had its origins in the street.
After donning headphones, visitors discover an animated frieze retracing the 40-year history of this prolific movement.
The photographs of French artists Martine Barrat and Sophie Bramly immortalize the birth of hip-hop in the streets of the Bronx in the 70s.
Read also30 years of hip-hop in Suresnes: the party continues
In this exhibition, the objects bear witness to history.
A necklace from the Zulu Nation recalls the importance of this group in building the values of the movement.
A former gang member, Afrika Bambaataa decides to fight against street violence by bringing together dance, rap, DJing and graffiti under the same peaceful banner.
A single sentence sums up this ideal:
“Peace, Love, Unity and Having Fun”
.
In 1984, hip-hop arrived in France not far from the Parc de La Villette.
Journalist Bernard Zekri organizes an international hip-hop tour called
New York City Rap Tour
, which passes through Paris, at the Hippodrome de Pantin.
Hip-hop culture is taking over the streets.
"We danced where we could, at the time we didn't have a room
," recalls Thony Maskot, former member of the Panthers and creator of the first female hip-hop dance group.
"We went to Place Carré in Châtelet and we cleared the skins to be able to dance"
, says the dancer with his hood raised on his head.
The dancers take over places such as the vacant lot of La Chapelle, the Bataclan or the room Le Center 57 on loan from the couturier Paco Rabanne.
The fear of standardization
“At the time we were taken for thugs, today it has become a big fashion
, replaces Thony Maskot,
the proof we arrive at the Philharmonie.
This event
only confirms a trend that has existed for ten years.
Hip-hop is everywhere.
Dancers from this training are now at the head of choreographic centers and the Opéra Garnier is no longer at its first show of its kind.
This weekend, the famous choreographer Blanca Li takes over the classic ballet
Casse-Noisette
to offer a hip-hop version as part of the Suresnes Cité danse festival.
"Today it's totally mainstream,"
says P.Lock, hip-hop dancer trained by Thony Maskot and winner of the
Battle of Legends
.
A craze particularly carried by the younger generations.
“Social networks help a lot with dissemination.
But the problem is that some declare themselves to be dancers when they are not even aware of the culture”,
worries Boubou, finalist with the dancers Les Sanchos de
La France has an incredible talent
2020. To ensure this transmission, Thony Maskot integrates into his professional training a theoretical course on the history of hip-hop.
Created in 1999, this school has given birth to many dancers from the bases recognized by the profession.
This culture wishes to preserve its freedom, the source of its creativity.
“We have been fighting against a state diploma for years,”
recalls Thony Maskot.
In 2015, Manuel Valls' proposal divided the profession.
Some arguing for better recognition in the face of the fear of a standardization of others.
A similar debate agitated the world of hip-hop with the integration of breakdancing in the 2024 Olympics. One thing is certain now, hip-hop leads the dance.