Previously I have shared to everyone of you one of the element in hip hop which is DJ, to view the post, click here. This time let us view in another hip hop element which is breaking or typically society call that street dance if you dont know what is breaking.
In breaking, cypher is a very important part in this culture and history. For those who is not in this scene must be asking what is cypher? Now let me explain first what is cypher to you in our breaking culture.
CYPHER
cyph⋅er [sahy-fer]
noun
- A secret method of writing, as by transposition or substitution of letter, specially formed symbols, or the like. (dictionary.com)
- Two or more b-boys or b-girls breakdancing (or rappers) in a circle together in an informal freestyle manner. They could be battling or simply playing off of each other. (urbandictionary.com)
(Source from ourbboys)
To easy understand what is cypher, bboys and bgirls will form a circle and everyone will take turn to dance in the circle. This is the most easy understanding about what is cypher is all about
The circle that form by dancer and dancer that wish to dance will go into dance circle to show their skill. Photo taken when I am in Taiwan joining a competition
But in some circumstances, we call cypher as circles, why?
This is because circles is all about having fun and positive exchange. Circles normally will form naturally and unforced. Normally this will happened in party or also competition. Back to history of Hip Hop, that time when Dj Kool Herc throwing party, all people will joined the party to have fun. They will naturally form circle and dance to the music and then this is the way we enjoy the vibe by see someone dancing and we dancing to it and also adding energy to the party.
one of the clip people throwing dance circle in wedding party
When it comes to calling it cypher, then we mean the real thing happened. Back in old days, when it come to proving who is the real one in neighborhood, they will come out to battle each other to see who is the best. No round limited, they can battle until the last minutes to see who stay on. This is same as octagon fighting in mixed martial arts, only the different is one is dancing and another one is fighting. In competition, if you feel that you can be better with another bboy, you can challenge the bboy and go for cypher. Then in the cypher you can see who is better. When you are in cypher, you need to put in all effort and confidence to it because this is about your own reputation. But off course respect must have in cypher battle.
the real cypher on going
Identify it is circle or cypher
Before you entering the circle or cypher, you need to identify it. If it is normal circle, just enjoy and having fun, no need to put it serious and make it bad. You will be hate. lol
But if it is cypher, what cypher is that? is it aggressive or chill? is it powermove cypher? or foundation? whatever it is, make sure you join the cypher with right intention and right style into it so that it will not make it awkward or bored, and off course, the confidence and full force.
Off course in cypher, we also got Etiquette to follow.
ETIQUETTE
Take turns
Sometimes it will happen two dancers going in circle in the same time and if the dancers is high rank or reputation good than you, you can give respect to him/her by giving chance to them to dance first. No worry, you can dance after him/her and beat what him/her does and show you are better. Then the relation will be better and you all can respect each other.No touching
This culture is all about respect, when you dance, just dont try to have touching to others or to have fight. This is a no no in this culture. So give respect to others and just dance.Show respect after battle
After done a cypher, engage with other bboy and show some respect to each other. With this when relation been made, everyone will respect to each other and achieving peace environment and vibe.
me inside the cypher
one of my friend showing his skill in cypher
Hope with my simple explanation you will know more this culture and resteem if you want others to know more about this culture.
Lastly give you all bonus video, this video is i took at RADIKAL FORZE JAM 2013 with my Go Pro Hero 2