I. What is Tutting?
Tutting is a style of dance that originated in the hip-hop community in the 1970s. It involves creating intricate geometric shapes and patterns with the hands and arms, often resembling the movements of an Egyptian pharaoh or the poses found in ancient Egyptian art. Tutting requires precision, control, and fluidity in order to create visually stunning illusions and optical illusions. It is a form of dance that is both technical and artistic, requiring dancers to have a deep understanding of body mechanics and spatial awareness.
II. Origins of Tutting
Tutting can trace its roots back to the street dance culture of Los Angeles, specifically the neighborhoods of Compton and Watts. The dance style was heavily influenced by the Egyptian art and hieroglyphics that were popular in the 1970s. Dancers would mimic the poses and movements found in ancient Egyptian art, creating a unique and visually striking form of dance. Over time, tutting evolved and incorporated elements of popping, waving, and other street dance styles, becoming a staple in the hip-hop dance community.
III. Basic Tutting Positions
There are several basic tutting positions that form the foundation of the dance style. These positions include the box, the wrist roll, the snake, and the pyramid. The box involves creating a square shape with the hands and arms, while the wrist roll involves rotating the wrists in a circular motion. The snake position mimics the movement of a snake slithering through the air, while the pyramid position involves creating a triangular shape with the hands and arms. These basic positions serve as building blocks for more complex and intricate tutting movements.
IV. Advanced Tutting Techniques
As dancers become more proficient in tutting, they can begin to incorporate advanced techniques into their routines. These techniques include finger tutting, which involves creating intricate shapes and patterns with the fingers, and tutting combos, which involve seamlessly transitioning between different positions and movements. Dancers can also incorporate isolations, waves, and pops into their tutting routines, adding depth and complexity to their performances. Advanced tutting techniques require a high level of skill, coordination, and creativity, pushing dancers to explore new ways of expressing themselves through movement.
V. Incorporating Tutting into Dance Routines
Tutting can be incorporated into a wide range of dance styles and routines, adding a unique and visually striking element to performances. Dancers can blend tutting with popping, locking, and waving to create dynamic and engaging routines that showcase their technical prowess and artistic flair. Tutting can also be combined with contemporary dance, ballet, and other styles to create fusion performances that push the boundaries of traditional dance forms. By incorporating tutting into their routines, dancers can challenge themselves creatively and expand their repertoire of movement vocabulary.
VI. Famous Tutting Performances
Tutting has gained popularity in recent years, with several dancers and crews gaining recognition for their innovative and captivating performances. One of the most famous tutting performances was by the dance crew Jabbawockeez, who won the first season of America’s Best Dance Crew with their unique blend of tutting, popping, and theatricality. Another notable tutting performance was by dancer Poppin John, who has gained a large following on social media for his mesmerizing tutting routines. These dancers have helped to popularize tutting and showcase its versatility and creativity as a dance style.