Crip Walk

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Rap performer Snoop Dogg crip walking on the inner cover of Paid Tha Cost To Be Da Bo$$.
Rap performer Snoop Dogg crip walking on the inner cover of Paid Tha Cost To Be Da Bo$$.

The Crip Walk, or C-Walk, is a dance that originated in the early 1970s in Compton, a poor suburb of Los Angeles, California, popularly referenced in rap lyrics. What began as a symbolic dance in the early 1980s in South Central Los Angeles, soon became a staple of hip-hop dance in the late 1990s.[1]

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[edit] Origins

Originally, members of the street gang Crips would use nimble movements of their feet to spell out their names or other Crips words (sometimes spelling out Bloods, the name of their rival gang, and then crossing it out). Many Crip gangs also use the C-Walk to celebrate the initiation of a new member. It is also believed that the C-walk was used as a warning, for example in the build-up to a robbery: The lookout would stand outside of the store and act as surveillance, while the robbers would await the signal—the C-walk. Typically performed to West Coast gangsta rap and G-funk, the C-Walk first hit the mainstream when rapper Ice-T performed it on stage in front of cameras in the late '80s. Later, rapper WC would follow suit and add to its popularity; however, he clearly let the public know that this was not a dance, as "gangstas don't dance", and that it was only meant to show love to other Crip members.1 The C-Walk was censored[citation needed] in the MTV version of the video of rap performer Snoop Dogg's hit single "Drop It Like It's Hot".

Although the C-Walk has found mainstream appeal, Snoop Dogg rapped on a remix of fellow Crip and rap performer WC's single "The Streets" that it is for Crip members exclusively. In recent years, it has inspired spinoffs such as the Clown Walk in another attempt at distancing the walk from its original gang ties—and the Bloods' own interpretation of it, called the Blood Walk or more commonly the Blood Bounce or B Walk.

[edit] Variations

Because there are different variations to the walk, Crip Walking has evolved into various versions (primarily to distance it from its gang origins). However, there are several mainstream versions of the Crip Walk that have always been a part of the Crip culture:

  • The "V": This is the original Crip Walk, in which involves shifting your body by making "V" shaped movements with your feet. Executing the V also allowed members to spell out words or names. Often, Crips would spell out the word "Blood" and then 'erase' or 'cross it out' to further antagonise their rivals.[citation needed]
  • The Heel-Toe: A recently popular variation to the C-Walk. This version involves crossing one leg and making a semi twist with your heels and toes. This also involves a lot of angle work (for example: your right foot must be directed at 90 degrees behind your left foot in order to make that semi twist) and takes a little longer to get the hang of. If this move is featured in a C-walk, it actually becomes Clown Walking, rather than Crip Walking. Nevertheless, it is a part of Crip Walking as a whole.
  • The Shuffle: This move-set involves shuffling your feet forwards and backwards. Snoop Dogg performs this in WC's music video "The Streets."
  • The Snake: When peformed, the walk is then refered as the "Clown walk". The user will move his front leg left and right on his heel, while his back leg follows shortly after. A fairly simple move, for those experienced walkers.

[edit] Trivia

  • In an attempt to distance itself from its gang-life origin, many people alter the spelling of the Crip Walk to "Krypt", "Crypt", and "Krip", though it is more commonly referred to as "The C-Walk" by those who began the dance.
  • In the 2004 Terror Squad rap hit Lean Back, performer Fat Joe makes fun of the commercialization of the Crip Walk: "Even Little Bow Wow throwing it up [i.e. using gang signs], / B2K Crip walking like that's what's up." Artists such as rap performer Bow Wow and rap group B2K have also been criticised for performing the C-Walk while wearing red – a Blood color.
  • You Got Served was the first mainstream hip-hop movie to feature the Crip Walk. While the Crip Walk has been in existence for a long time, the film obscured attitudes regarding the Crip Walk. The Crip Walk in the film is not considered to be an offensive ritual, but merely a dance routine used to win battles. It is only featured in one scene of the film.
  • The film 2 Fast 2 Furious, released before You Got Served, "The V" was featured very briefly before a clip of a fight. Crips often perform the C-Walk in front of Blood members as a sign of disrespect and to instigate a fight.
  • Jamie Foxx Crip Walked on stage during the 2007 Grammy Awards.
  • Rap performer Eve crip walked on an episode of her show.

[edit] Music videos featuring the Crip Walk

Recently, there have been several European music videos featuring the Crip Walk. One example was performed by French rapper La Fouine.

[edit] External links

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