Robot (dance)

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The robot (or mannequin) is an illusionary dance style - often confused with popping - that attempts to imitate a dancing robot or mannequin. Masters Hall of Honor | LockerLegends products</ref>.

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[edit] Description

All movements of the Robot are started and finished with a lock, to give the impression of motors starting and stopping. The dancer's posture is initially kept rigid at all times until he or she has mastered the technique and is able to relax while maintaining the robotic illusion.

Because the Robot, popping, and locking are closely related, Robot dancing is often confused with popping and liquid dancing in general. The Robot, however, refers only to the technique of imitating a humanoid robot.

[edit] Music

As with popping in general, the visual impact of the robot can be boosted by doing it in pace with music. The best effect is achieved with music that has very distinct beats such as electrofunk. It is nonetheless common to use music not particularly suited for the dance, but which has a "robot theme", such as Styx's "Mr. Roboto".

Unlike most other dances, the robot may also be accompanied a cappella by making vocal impressions of beeps and other electro-mechanical noises.

[edit] In popular culture

  • In the qualifying rounds for the 2006 World Cup, English striker Peter Crouch, after scoring a critical goal, began to do the robot dance and became a media sensation.
  • Stewie Griffin performs the robot in the Family Guy episode Fast Times at Buddy Cianci, Jr. High.
  • Dexter from Dexter's Laboratory performs it, along with robots in one episode wrap around.
  • In the movie Eight Crazy Nights, Whitey does the dance to the tune of Mr Roboto.
  • In Chappelle's Show, there is one character that appears in the background of many sketches doing the robot.
  • In an episode of My Name Is Earl, Randy and Earl appear doing the Robot to the tune of Mr Roboto, while lights flash across the room they are dancing in.
  • In an episode of Arrested Development, Buster dances in the stair car to Mr. Roboto, until his hook gets stuck in the dashboard. This is a reference to Tony Hale's role in a well known VW commercial several years prior.
  • A running gag of Futurama is that Bender Bending Rodriguez is ironically bad at performing the robot dance.
  • In the movie Major Payne, Damon Wayans performs the robot in a dance club scene.
  • In the movie Eurotrip, the main character defeats a French street performer in a robot dance showdown in front of the Louvre.
  • The current Guinness World Record for the Largest Robot Dance is held by students of the University of Kent who achieved the feat in September 2007 with 276 taking part.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Street dance
Breakdancing - Hip hop dance - Krumping - Liquid dancing - Locking - Popping - Robot - Tutting - Uprock