How Breakdancers Are Redefining Hip-Hop Style For a New Generation

Published on July 17, 2023 at 4:45 PM

Red Bull Media House

Take one step into a breakdancing competition, and within a couple seconds, it's pretty clear just how physically demanding the sport is. Think flying legs and gravity-defying head spins coupled with dramatic lights and a bass-bumping soundtrack. It's powerful, energetic, and even a bit intense at times — a perfect complement to the bravado and vibrancy of hip-hop music itself.

Breakdancing dates back to the 1970s and the birth of hip-hop at a house party in the Bronx, New York, nearly 50 years ago on Aug. 11, 1973. Originally heavily male-dominated, breaking has now evolved to embrace the full spectrum of gender identity. Today, myriad dancers are taking the craft to new heights just as it receives unprecedented global attention. In just over a year, fans will be flocking to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics, where breakdancing will make its debut as an official Olympic sport.

Many dancers have their eyes set on Paris, both for the 2024 Olympic Games and for later this year, when the 2023 Red Bull BC One World Final will take place in the French capital on Oct. 21. For such major competition moments, fashion choices have to be flawlessly functional.

Ahead, hear from competitors from the latest Red Bull BC One World Finals in New York City about their essential B-girl style.

Swami Rizzitello, 17

POPSUGAR: How did you get into breakdancing?

Swami Rizzitello: I started to dance when I was 6 years old. I fell in love in the first class. It was just a hobby, then at 9 years old, I won my first competition on the day of my birthday. After that day, I could not stop dancing. The thing I most enjoy is the feeling when I'm dancing, when I'm sharing, and when I teach because I like to teach, too. I like to make people feel what I'm feeling when I'm dancing. And that feeling is something I'm addicted to.

PS: What do you usually wear during competitions?

SR: There are some tricks you need a long T-shirt for. Because if you have a slide with the elbow, if you do it with that [against the skin], it's going to burn. It's going to hurt. Some people need to use heavy shoes, but I like super-light shoes. One of the classic shoes are the Nike Huaraches. Now, I'm trying to learn how it feels with New Balance.

PS: Which materials do you lean toward when you're putting your competition outfit together?

SR: They must be light, as light as possible, because you don't want to feel heavy. Because when you dance, you want things to be flowy and stylish. I like it. It's a trick, too. If you use leggings, you're gonna seem maybe like a robot. I don't know how to explain it, but when you use big pants, it looks like you have more flow.

PS: How would you describe B-girl style?

SR: I think everybody has her own style. But there are a lot of particular styles, like some girls have painted their hair. They put on big earrings. I like to dance with big pants because they look more flowy and the [fabric] doesn't go up too much when you are upside down. A little bit of makeup and big earrings. I like a lot of the attitude. The attitude is so important in fashion. Attitude is super important in the dancing and in life.

Logan Edra, aka "Logistx," 19

POPSUGAR: Which shoes are your go-tos for breakdancing?

Logan Edra: I love the Nike Cortez. I've worn those for so many years in my breaking, dancing, and training. I've dabbled into other shoes, but for me, it needs to be flexible and durable, and those are the best for me.

PS: Who are your style icons?

LE: I would say Aaliyah, even TLC, Lauryn Hill. I love Japanese fashion, too. But I like '90s fashion and just hip-hop of course. I love the baggy fit. But I also like mixing them with the cropped fit, like baggy pants with tight crops is a fit with the big hoops.

PS: What's it like breakdancing while wearing hoop earrings?

LE: Yeah, a long time ago, I had my fair share of earrings flying off. So now I know what earrings I can wear and can't wear. For me, it can't be bigger than a medium to small-sized hoop — as long as it's smaller than that, then I'm good.

PS: Is there a color you especially love to wear when you're dancing?

LE: Purple, because it represents the higher chakras. That's one of the reasons why I love representing purple. And it's always been me and my mom's color that connects us both. That color is very special to us. Also it's funny, because my first BC One that I got invited to, I had planned two outfits. One of the outfits I didn't get to wear was dedicated to one of my crew mates that passed away. His color was purple, and I wanted to dedicate that to him. And this year, I didn't even remember that his color was purple, but I just started wearing purple. I dyed my hair purple. Now I'm like, well, maybe this is the year I actually get to dedicate this to him with the color I'm wearing.