PARIS– From the Australian b-girl with the meme-worthy “kangaroo” dance move to the Lithuanian silver medal winner in a durag, breaking’s Olympic debut had a few moments that raised questions from viewers about whether the essence of the hip-hop art form was captured in the Paris Games.
Rachael Gunn, or “b-girl Raygun”, a 36-year-old teacher from Sydney, Australia, quickly rose to Internet fame, but not necessarily for Olympic-level skills. Competing against some b-girls half her age, she was eliminated from the round-robin stage without earning a single point, and her unconventional moves failed but failed to match her enemies’ skill level.
At one point, Gunn lifted one leg while standing and leaned back with his arms folded toward his ears. At another point, lying on her side, she reached her toes, turned around and did it again in a movement nicknamed “the kangaroo”.
Gunn has a Ph.D. in cultural studies, and her LinkedIn page notes that she is “interested in the cultural politics of disruption.”
“I would never beat these girls at what they do best – their power moves,” Gunn said. “What I bring is creativity.”
Clips of his performance went viral on TikTok and elsewhere, and many cringed at his moves presented on the Olympic stage as a representation of hip-hop and innovative culture.
“It’s almost like they’re mocking the genre,” wrote one user on X.
Many black viewers, in particular, criticized Lithuanian silver medalist b-girl Nicka (legally called Dominika Banevič) for wearing a durag during each of her battles. Durags, once worn by African slaves to tie their hair for work, are still worn by black people to protect and style their hair. They became a fashionable symbol of black pride in the 1960s and 1970s, and in the 1990s and early 2000s they also became a popular element of hip-hop style. But when worn by anyone who isn’t black, durags can be seen as cultural appropriation. Banevič is white.
Actor Kevin Fredericks responded on Instagram to Banevič wearing the hat, saying it seemed “weird to see someone who doesn’t need it for protective styling or waves to rock a durag.”
The 17-year-old finally won the silver medal after losing in the final to Japanese b-girl Ami (Ami Yuasa).
In turn, Banevič credited 1970s Bronx breakers — the OGs — or “original gangsters” of hip-hop who created the dance — for his own success and style of breaking.
“It’s a huge responsibility to represent and raise the bar every time we break because they’ve done an incredible job. Big respect to the OGs and the pioneers who invented all these moves. Without them, this wouldn’t be possible,” she said. “Without them, breaking wouldn’t be where it is today. For that, I’m grateful for them.”
The challenge for Olympic organizers was to bring breakbreaking and hip-hop culture to a mass audience, including many spectators who were skeptical about adding the dance form to the Olympic roster. Others feared the subculture being co-opted by officials, commercialized and subjected to a rigid judging structure, when the spirit of brokenness is rooted in local communities, centered on street battles, ciphers and block parties. Hip-hop was born as a youth culture in the black and brown communities of the Bronx as a way to escape socioeconomic conflicts and struggles and make a statement of empowerment at a time when they have been labeled lawless, lost children by New York politicians.
Refugee Breaker Manizha Talash, or “b-girl Talash,” channeled that rebellious vibe by donning a “Free Afghan Women” cape during her pre-qualifying battle — a defiant and personal statement for a 21-year-old who fled her native Afghanistan to escape the rule. of the Taliban. Talash was quickly disqualified for violating the Olympics ban on political statements on the field of play.
Both American b-girls were eliminated in Friday’s round-robin stage, a blow to the country that represents the birthplace of hip-hop in what could be the discipline’s only appearance at the Games. B-girl Logistx (cool name Logan Edra) and b-girl Sunny (Sunny Choi) were among the top 12 ranked internationally, but did not reach the quarterfinals.
“The Olympics break changed the way some people dance,” Choi said, referring to some of the flashier moves and crowded routines. “Breaking changes over time. And maybe I’m just old school and don’t want to change. … I think a lot of people in our community were a little scared of that happening.”
Before Friday’s battles began, American rapper Snoop Dogg made a grand entrance into the stadium to the soundtrack of “Drop it Like it’s Hot”, sparking applause and dancing in the stands.
“I’m hip-hop and I know what hip-hop and break dancing should be like,” he told Vogue magazine before the start of the Paris Games.
Rapper ICE T also expressed his excitement for the competition ahead of yesterday’s battles.
“This is going to surprise people who haven’t seen a break in a while,” he posted on X. “All respect to HIPHOP.”
The b-boys take to the stage on Saturday to give Olympic breaking another chance to represent the culture.
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