THIS POPLOCK ON MINES!!! Aint No Funkstyle In Compton Homeboy!

The Funkstyle Indoctrination

The term "Funkstyles" was coined by the EB's, back in 1999. This is what "Funkstyles" is according to them:

http://www.electricboogaloo...

"In the 80's when streetdancing blew up, the media often incorrectly used the term "breakdancing" as an umbrella term for most the streetdancing styles that they saw. What many people didn't know was this within these styles, other sub-cultures existed, each with their own identities.

Breakdancing, or b-boying as it is more appropriately known as, is known to have its roots in the east coast and was heavily influenced by break beats and hip hop. The term "funk styles" was coined to give what we do it's own identity and separate it from hip-hop. Popping, locking and boogaloo were styles that were created in the WEST COAST during the FUNK ERA, and while these styles were adopted into the hip-hop movement, its roots should still be recognized as pure funk. Hence the term, FUNK STYLES."

However, as you may know, dancers had already used "popping", "pop-locking", "electric boogie", "boogie", "smurf", "hittin" etc. as an umbrella term encompassing the different styles, and it was understood what dance(s) they were referring to.

Why coin a new term after 30 years, when "Funkstyles" doesn't alleviate the problem "pop-locking" supposedly created, which according to them fuses two separate dances and causes confusion, while providing a lack of credit to poppers and lockers. It also excludes the era that came before and after the "funk" era.

"Space Capital" put it this way:

http://www.4dapoppers.com/m...

"Why wait until 2000 to make a change to a dance that was out for 20 plus years? What is so wrong with the names we already are using? I believe the more changes we make the more confusing we make this dance. This is making it harder for novice dancers. Would this start a chain of events in this scene? Would other start coming up with changes they feel is legitimate? When you keep making changes it makes it easier to hide the past. The real history of this dance could get lost."

I will explain the real reason they felt so compelled to adopt "Funkstyles".
To put it simply, it boils down to control and ownership of the movement/culture.

The purpose of "Funkstyles" is to allow the EB's to OWN "popping". If "popping" is used as an umbrella term encompassing styles they can't say they created or originated, they wouldn't be able to dictate what it is and what it isn't. They would lose their grip.

They're also trying to change "boogaloo" to "boog" and "popping" to "popin" for the very same reason. They also tried to abolish the term "pop-locking", and down play "electric Boogie" even though countless others have been using it for 20+ years. When that wasn't working they tried claiming they created "Pop-locking" so that anyone who calls what they do pop-locking can ultimately trace what they do to them.

Who are they to determine what is correct or incorrect or what's right or wrong? (As Boogaloo Sam would say "you're either doing right or wrong")

Well, they use the "originators" and "creators" rhetoric to take ownership and create a scenario where all styles encompassing the popping umbrella would eventually come back to them, where only they have the key which unlocks the "purest form" *(c) the way it was designed to be done*(a). That's why it's SO important that they remain the "creators". For the styles they can't say they've created, they will convince you that Popping and Boogaloo are the most dominant styles and have the amazing ability to incorporate EVERY style, because within Boogaloo you can Sac, Fil(l)more, Tick, tut, (wave), you can do anything.