Toprock
Encyclopedia
Toprock is a major element of b-boying
. It generally refers to any string of steps performed from a standing position, relying upon a mixture of coordination, flexibility, rhythm, and most importantly, style. It is usually the first and foremost opening display of style, and it serves as a warm-up for transitions into the more acrobatic maneuvers of downrock
. Breakers may devote considerable time to developing their toprock, and the style they display is a point of pride.
Toprocking is a style of dance in and of itself, and the Indian step is the most commonly performed toprock "move". However, toprocking is very open to modification for individual style. For the same reason, it has come to incorporate elements that range widely from salsa steps to Lindy Hop to Liquid dancing
and the Robot
. In particular, uprock
, often confused with "toprock," is a competitively-oriented type of dance consisting of foot shuffles, spins, turns, and creative movements that may mimic combat. Although the history is still being researched, the bboy version of uprock resembles watered-down versions of "the rock" dance that originated from neighborhoods of Brooklyn, also known as Brooklyn rock. In fact Toprock was adapted from Uprock with Toprock the bboy's version of Uprock.
B-boying
B-boying, often called "breakdancing", is a popular style of street dance that was created and developed as part of hip-hop culture among African Americans and Latino youths in New York City. The dance consists of four primary elements: toprock, downrock, power moves and freezes...
. It generally refers to any string of steps performed from a standing position, relying upon a mixture of coordination, flexibility, rhythm, and most importantly, style. It is usually the first and foremost opening display of style, and it serves as a warm-up for transitions into the more acrobatic maneuvers of downrock
Downrock
Downrock is an element of breakdance that includes all footwork performed on the floor. Downrock is normally performed with the hands and feet on the floor, as opposed to toprock. In downrock, the breakdancer displays his or her proficiency with foot speed and control by performing footwork...
. Breakers may devote considerable time to developing their toprock, and the style they display is a point of pride.
Toprocking is a style of dance in and of itself, and the Indian step is the most commonly performed toprock "move". However, toprocking is very open to modification for individual style. For the same reason, it has come to incorporate elements that range widely from salsa steps to Lindy Hop to Liquid dancing
Liquid dancing
Liquid and digits is a type of gestural, interpretive, rave and urban street dance that sometimes involve aspects of pantomime. The term invokes the word liquid to describe the fluid-like motion of the dancer's body and appendages and digits to refer to illusions constructed with the dancer's...
and the Robot
Robot (dance)
The robot is an illusionary street dance style – often confused with popping – that attempts to imitate a dancing robot or mannequin...
. In particular, uprock
Uprock
Uprock, or Rocking as it was originally referred to, also known as Rock, is a soulful and competitive urban street dance, performed in synchronization to the beats and rhythms of soul, rock and funk music, but was mostly danced to a specific and exclusive collection of songs that contained a hard...
, often confused with "toprock," is a competitively-oriented type of dance consisting of foot shuffles, spins, turns, and creative movements that may mimic combat. Although the history is still being researched, the bboy version of uprock resembles watered-down versions of "the rock" dance that originated from neighborhoods of Brooklyn, also known as Brooklyn rock. In fact Toprock was adapted from Uprock with Toprock the bboy's version of Uprock.