The Evolution and Development of LA Style: A Dance History

LA Style is one of the newest forms of free dance, considered an evolved continuation of hip-hop. It incorporates the best elements from hip-hop, including brightness, precision, originality, and expressiveness. Unlike many other styles, LA Style prioritizes the audience's feelings and emotions above all else, placing the dancer second. But this hierarchy doesn't diminish the dancer's role; rather, it shapes the dance's unique character. How did LA Style form, what preceded it, and why did it take this specific form? Let's break it down step by step.

Don't believe the name? Sometimes obvious things are deceptive. LA Style didn't originate in Los Angeles. It gained popularity and public recognition there, but the dance actually emerged in New Orleans in the 1980s. It was the result of various choreographers' reflections on what makes great dance. Through collaborative effort, they created LA Style. Initially, it spread among the wealthy, so it's not a dance from poor ghetto neighborhoods. LA Style is a fusion of different modern dance styles. At first, it borrowed only minor elements from hip-hop, but over time the blend became more eclectic. For example, early LA Style was more relaxed, but gradually the focus shifted to precision and eccentricity.

LA Style is quite strict with its practitioners, leaving little room for improvisation. This sets it apart from many other styles that value creative freedom. However, the dance has always aimed to be more precise and technical. Over time, it became clear that these constraints led to unnecessary stiffness. While they weren't eliminated, movements were added to create a sense of free flight, like a bird soaring.

Musical accompaniment in LA Style has also evolved. Initially, it was exclusively hip-hop tracks. Now, it's impossible to pinpoint a single musical preference among dancers, as the choices are incredibly diverse. Modern LA Style can incorporate virtually any contemporary genre: pop, rap, jazz, country, jazz-modern, and more.

Over time, more emphasis has been placed on the dancer's plasticity. Today, plasticity is key to success in creative circles.

Accessibility: In its early stages, LA Style courses were only available to the wealthy, as choreographers designed it for them. The "common people" had access to hip-hop and other popular styles. But times changed, and now anyone can practice LA Style regardless of age or social background. The dance promotes equality.

Amorphousness and susceptibility to change: In traditional dances, it's hard to introduce changes because of their powerful historical background. There's always someone crying, "Don't touch our culture! Let's fight to save it!" And people listen. But LA Style doesn't have this problem because its history isn't rich. Its "ancestors" (the original styles that LA Style blends) have plenty of stories, but LA Style walks its own independent path, unaffected by historical context.

Gradually, LA Style has evolved, shedding unnecessary techniques and seeking new, promising ones. This reflects constant development and improvement. With each year, it becomes more diverse and interesting. It's hard to even guess what changes lie ahead in the dance world. Don't miss out—get dancing!