38thnotes writes all the time about how frustrating it is that the Bay Area doesn't get regnognized or renowned for our contributions to the creative arts and pop culture, so seeing a nationally-televised segment on an indigenous art form feels pretty damn good! Not to say that others elsewhere won't see it, mimic it and win America's Got Talent because of it, but then again, who cares? Hip-hop culture recycles, trends spread and pop culture copies and commercializes. We can't control these things.
What we can do however is toast to the fact that Oakland has been recognized as the birth place of the next "latest craze" (Late train all aboard!), and YAK Films, The Turf Fienz and Youth UpRising are a big reason why. Clap for 'em. Dance styles are always collages of existing inspirations, but the way turf dancing has evolved has a particular flavor that is undeniably Oakland. Check out what the bodies and minds of East Oakland's finest have conjured up. There is brilliance here, and there are bodies more articulate than the mouths of most. Respect it.
Below are a couple performance art pieces from the Turf Fienz. The first being the one that built their viral buzz, and the second a new video the crew has just put out.
Below are a couple performance art pieces from the Turf Fienz. The first being the one that built their viral buzz, and the second a new video the crew has just put out.
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2 comments:
where is ZEEM at? he would kill it. shoulda been on the news
"God gave us music so we play with our words." -Talib Qwali, The Manifesto.
I love this.
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