Breakdance Rap
tagStarted 1982Peak 1983-1985Last big hit 1986
Located in 1 route
The hard-hitting breakbeat and electro-funk sound built to move b-boys: punchy percussion breaks, 808 booms, funky bass and chants tailored to footwork, freezes and power moves. Tempos sit in the breaking pocket, with energetic, hype-style vocals cheering on the dancers more than spinning complex narratives.
History
Rooted in the long percussion 'breaks' Kool Herc looped for early b-boys — the Incredible Bongo Band's 'Apache' became the genre's anthem. As breaking went mainstream via films like Beat Street and Breakin' (1984), labels cut purpose-built breakdance records; West Street Mob and the Rock Steady Crew soundtracked the craze before it faded mid-decade.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- https://www.complex.com/music/2012/11/a-history-of-the-apache-breakbeat
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incredible_Bongo_Band
- https://www.whosampled.com/sample/1242/West-Street-Mob-Break-Dance-Electric-Boogie-Incredible-Bongo-Band-Apache/