Michael Jackson's Real Dance Teacher for 18 years: Poppin' Taco

The legendary Pop 'N Taco explains some of the work he did for Michael Jackson back in the days. Since he passed away, many people pretend to have worked with Michael Jackson. The truth is Michael Jackson learnt the foundations of locking and popping that are the core of his dance style from their OG's (e.g., Electric Boogaloos, Original Lockers, etc...) and dancers from Soul Train (e.g., Jeffrey Daniel). In particular, Bruno Falcon aka Pop 'N Taco has been a dance teacher and choreographer for Michael Jackson for 18 years. He worked on various projects with Michael and taught him the art of popping and snaking. Taco's influence on MJ can be clearly seen when MJ executes his King Cobra and the famous "robotic" walk from Billie Jean MTV 1995.

Spread the word. Spread the truth.

Happy Birthday Michael Joseph Jackson (1958 - FOREVER)

Extract from the documentary "Un stage avec Taco" © Christophe Amblard

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Michael Jackson
• King of pop
• Moonwalk
• Sidewalk
• Popping
• Locking
• Backslide
• Spin
• Pop N Taco
• Electric Boogaloos
• Original Lockers
• Jeffrey Daniel
• Billie Jean MTV 1995
• robot
• popping

[darrock747]

That's BULLSHIT! You are lying. Jeffrey Daniels showed Michael Jackson the back slide AKA the moonwalk and introduced him to popping way before this guy ever thought about or knew about popping was. Just lookup Jeffrey Daniels and watch some of his interviews. JD was in a group called Shalamar and he was a Soul Train dancer in the 70s.

[seiya2008]

@darrock747 Jeffrey Daniel not "Daniels" he does not like the "s" at the end of his name...he told me this and others during a workshop (I have a video on my chanel and pictures with him on his website). We talked for quite a while with him and I also met Suga Pop earlier this year and Mr. Wiggles...meaning I am in touch with the influential figures of hip hop/funk styles and I know quite a few things about the history of the dance.

[seiya2008]

@seiya2008 The Electric Boogaloos introduced popping on Soul Train in 1980. Among them, Poppin Pete who later taught Pop 'N Taco the art of popping. It is true that JD collaborated and taught MJ the backslide, but JD got it from watching the EB's themselves on Soul Train. There is not only JD or any other single guy who should be credited for having taught MJ some techniques and moves. There are a bunch of other people.

[seiya2008]

MJ took private lessons from Suga Pop in 1982 (watch the Westwood interview with Suga Pop), Pop 'N Taco, Poppin Pete, Don 'Campbellock' Campbell, Michael "Boogaloo Shrimp" Chambers as well as the Nicholas Brothers. He took lessons from other people too trying to learn and perfect his techniques as much as he could. JD and the EB's respect each other quite well (watch Jeffrey Daniel at the Breaking Convention as he gives a shout out to the EB's).

[seiya2008]

@seiya2008 Pop 'N Taco back then was a member of the EB's and spent quite some time to teach MJ popping and his famous snaking style (King Cobra). So, whatever he says in this interview is accurate and everybody in the dance community agrees with that.

[faraon001]

I met Bruno here in Houston, TX back in '81-82, he was w/ Michael "Turbo" as he was called in Breaking. Bruno was visiting a relative and talking the movie Breaking, took a couple photos which I still have, He's still the best popper I've ever seen!!!

[seiya2008]

@faraon001 Wow...how cool is that...Michael "Boogaloo Shrimp" Chambers is one hell of a dancer and a great guy too...so lucky...you might want to share your pictures on the "Bruno "Pop N Taco" Falcon - Officiel" Facebook page...that would be awesome....cheers

[tonm08]

@MrMarvel0us - What are you on about now? You're looking way too deep into all of this!

Poppin, Floppin, Hoppin - I don't care for all the deep stuff regarding this style of dance; It doesn't matter much to me. All I know is, I’ve never observed MJ struggling or looking awkward during any kind of dance routine he has done & I simply didn't look at anyone else & compare moves; eyes always fixated on MJ’s dancing.

MJ was well known for being a "Perfectionist" when it came to all his work.

[tonm08]

@MrMarvel0us “MJ struggled in Poppin and you can c it in his vids compared to original poppers”

That is a matter of opinion? And you have your's.

I have *never seen Michael Jackson struggling with *any kind of dance he did. That is my opinion - formed from my observation. Michael Jackson was a perfectionist. Fact! He would never have *performed* a dance routine that he was going to *struggle* with ...That is not how he worked his performances!

[LALOMAN18]

damn this cat turn gay as fuck or what? What happened Poppin' Taco Bell? U look and talk soft, blond highlights and earnings on both sides and the gay motions just makes my strong suspicions! WTF......

[BuddyAcesPRESENTS]

omg i saw a vid of taco doin a pop lock routine, then a while later i saw MJ doing a similar poplock routine and was like man these cats movin and doin danm near the same thing. well now i know why

[bm5891]

@darrock747 But Jeffery Daniel learnt popping from the Electric Boogaloos, of which Pop N Taco was a member. Jeffery is not the be all and end all of Michael's style, I would argue that Taco had a much more profound influence on MJ's style given the extent to which MJ uses snaking, cobra, waving, and animation.

[bm5891]

@tonm08 Are you a dancer? How can you tell from your observation if you don't understand what he is doing?

MJ makes things look a lot easier than they really are, and I have seen him do moves that are not completely accurate, because I know the actual way they should be done. As for performing only 'perfected' routines - most of his routines are simplified versions of popping/locking choreography, so they are by default much easier than the real version of the routines.

[bm5891]

@tonm08 You don't understand the complexity of the dance in which 1ReaZon is referring to. Just because MJ can do an arm wave does not mean he can out-dance a waver. You obviously are not a dancer yourself, nor do you know the history of the styles, because you don't seem to get what he is saying.

I am a huge MJ fan, I love his music and dancing, but I know that there are many dancers out there that can out-dance him in a battle.

[bm5891]

@1ReaZon Finally someone who actually knows their history! :) MJ is an amazing dancer and entertainer no doubt, but credit needs to be given where it is due. I get tired of people who assume MJ just created everything and is an absolute master at every style. Popin Pete even told me he tried to teach MJ boogaloo but he couldn't get it, the rolls did his head in. MJ was just a normal guy who struggled like all of us to learn these very difficult, yet amazing dance styles.

[bm5891]

@fmcneillii Yes, Michael has been dancing since his career began, but the point here is that the unique MJ style of dancing that he is famous for was heavily influenced by the emerging styles of popping, locking, and hip hop. The guys who taught Michael the majority of his most famous steps are the originators and pioneers of these styles. Michael didn't create any of them, he just brought them to the mainstream.

[1ReaZon]

there is no assumption. I've done my research and I know The REAL HIP-HOP and Urban Dance styles individually. I know the difference in choreographed dancers, feeling the music, freestyling, all of it. Michael was not overly developed in any one style. I've trained with the men who trained him, as they are my mentors. Michael is the #1 ENTERTAINER IN THE WORLD not the #1 DANCER PERIOD. Learn some shit before talking to me.

[1ReaZon]

@fmcneillii No actually I'm not assuming anything. This is fact. I my mentors trained Michael and although Michael was practicing before he began training with the E.B.'s , Taco, Bam, Daniels, Etc. these dances weren't exsplosive in the mainstream at that time, so Michael could have been perfecting these dances. Michael caught on fast yes but he never developed into each style. Michael can't wave for 45 minutes, tut for 45 minutes, strobe, or any of that for any real length of time

[MrGrandmasterr]

@seiya2008 CORRECT!.