The breaking competition at the Olympics, featuring Chula Vista native Logan Edra (known as B-Girl Logistx), was for some people, their first exposure to the style of dance known commonly as break dancing.
But the breaking seen by Olympic spectators is just one form of this form of hip-hop dancing called freestyle, according to Cheryl Armour Frye, owner of The Origin Hip-Hop Performing Arts Academy, where one b-boy or b-girl (“b” stands for breaking) battles another. There are also dance crews that compete in competitions internationally and locally.
“Breaking culture in San Diego is thriving,” said Christopher “Cros One” Wright, founder and CEO of Freestyle Session Inc. “We have a strong scene from kids all the way up to the older generation still in the mix mentoring youth.”
Here’s everything to know about the basics of what breaking, foundational moves, options for learning locally and some popular competitions to support.
What is breaking?
It’s a form of dancing and is one of the four original elements of hip-hop (DJing, emceeing, graffiti street art and breaking). Breaking started in 1973 when hip-hop was born in the South Bronx, a borough of New York City, according to Frye, whose dance studio has been open for 15 years in San Diego County with a location in La Mesa and a new one opening later this year in Carlsbad.
“Breakers got their names because they would dance during the break of old soul, funk, jazz and disco songs the DJ would loop to create an extended instrumental,” Frye, who is originally from Chicago, said. “This was also when emcees would freestyle and rap.”
Frye said some of the original breakers were Don “Campbellock” Campbell, Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Quiñones, Fred “Rerun” Berry and Toni Basil, who were all members of a group known as The Lockers.
Frye added that breaking has evolved with newer moves, dance crews and international competitions. Breaking made its Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but is not scheduled to be part of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
What are the foundational moves?
There are four main elements of breaking: down rock, top rock, power moves and freezes, according to Danielle Prince, executive director of Culture Shock San Diego, a nonprofit organization teaching dance.
Down rock is any movement in which the hands are the main part of the breaker’s moves.
Top rock is typically the first move for a breaker’s performance and involves any combination of steps from a standing position.
Power moves are moves where the upper body supports the rest of the body while breakers perform moves such as head spins, back spins and windmills.
Freeze is a pose that stops all motion and involves twists of the body to create a unique artistic form. One example is a handstand called the pike (one hand on the ground and the rest of the body forms a 90-degree angle with both feet extended in the air.)
Where can locals take breaking classes?
Culture Shock San Diego: The nonprofit organization teaches breaking classes for beginners and intermediate talent levels for kids as young as 7 years old, along with adult classes. At Culture Shock, students will learn the basic moves of breaking and the vocabulary of breaking. Class sizes average about 10 people. 2110 Hancock St., Suite 200, San Diego. (619) 324-4868, cultureshocksandiego.org
Finest City Dance: This organization describes itself as a hub for breaking and street dance culture in San Diego. Finest City Dance hosts programs all year at various locations around the county, including youth breaking programs and street dance camps. finestcitydance.com
The Origin Hip-Hop Performing Arts Academy: With two locations, this academy hosts various classes throughout the week for all ages and skill levels. It also offers dance camps and competitions crews that travel around the world. The Origin is currently fundraising to go to the World Dance Crew Championships in New Zealand. 5282 Baltimore Drive, La Mesa. 2525 El Camino Real Suite 173, Carlsbad. (619) 905-3645, originhhpaa.com
Tap Fever Studios: A nonprofit organization, Tap Fever Studios offers kids, youth and adult hip-hop classes teaching several forms of breaking techniques, including freezes and rock steps. Each class is 50 minutes and classes are divided into three 16-week sessions. 2146 Garnet Ave., San Diego. (858) 456-7301, tapfever.com
What are some popular competitions to check out?
Wright is the founder and CEO of Freestyle Session Inc., which started at at a Boys and Girls Club in Chula Vista and is one of the longest and largest running competitions for breaking and street dance battles in the U.S., according to Wright in an email.
“There (are) events every few weeks and weekly practices as well as plentiful places where kids can learn and grow with the dance,” Wright said. “I’ve been around it for almost 30 years now and it’s just been one of the most solid cities in the country.”
Some of the competitions Wright recommends are:
Cultures of 4 has been around since 2004 and holds battles during the summer in San Diego. In July it held a competition and celebrated its 20th anniversary. finestcitydance.com/cultureof4
Red Bull BC One hosts events in the U.S. and throughout the world. From Sept. 26 to Sept. 28, it is holding battles at Venice Beach for the first time. The event will feature various workshops and cypher battles. The winner of the Venice Beach competition will move compete at the Red Bull BC One world finals in Rio de Janeiro. redbull.com/us-en/events/red-bull-bc-one-cypher-and-camp-usa-los-angeles
Youth Breaking Championships is a competition for youth breakers and includes an all-day conference and skills camp. This year it will be held in Los Angeles on Nov. 14 and 15. finestcitydance.com/youthbreakingchamps
Freestyle Session World Finals will take place Nov. 16 and 17 in Los Angeles. This year’s competition will feature 10 categories, including three versus three breaking crews and one versus one international b-girl battles. freestylesession.com/blogs/vlogsblogs-more/freestyle-session-tickets-on-sale-now