An example of the "V Stepback" Crip Walk move

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The Crip Walk, also known as the C-Walk, is a dance move that originated in the early 1970s by Crip gang members from the Compton suburb of Los Angeles, California, and has since spread worldwide.^[1] The dance is primarily an act of performing quick and intricate footwork.

History [edit]

The rivalry between the Crips and the Bloods spilled over into the world of entertainment, with the adoption of the gang dance by various rappers on the West Coast of the United States, who gave it its name, the Crip Walk. This dance involves the movement of one's feet, classically to the spelling of C-R-I-P (refer C Walk). It was used by Crips at parties to display affiliation, particularly vis-a-vis rival gang the Bloods. It was also used after killing someone to give the kill a Crip signature. MTV declined to broadcast any music videos that contained the Crip Walk.^[2]

Examples [edit]

• In Westside Connection's song Hoo Bangin', WC can be seen doing the Crip Walk.
• Snoop Dogg (who used to be a member of the Rollin' 20 Crips)^{[citation needed]} can be seen doing the walk in the video for Drop It Like It's Hot.
• Get Your Walk On by Xzibit
• C Walk by Kurupt
• Serena Williams caused a minor stir at the 2012 Summer Olympic tennis tournament when she did a Crip Walk immediately after defeating Maria Sharapova in the gold-medal match at Centre Court, Wimbledon.^[3]

Variations of C-walk [edit]

Crip Walk [edit]

Modern day Crip Walk is a dance that derives from the original Crip Walk; however, it has no gang affiliation and is generally a lot more complex in terms of execution. What separates this Crip Walk from the one originated by the Crips is the absence of signs and other gestures symbolizing gang affiliations.

Clown Walk [edit]

The Clown Walk is a variation of the Crip Walk. The dance is sometimes abbreviated as "C-walk," causing confusion as to whether people are Crip Walking, Clown Walking or Crown Walking. Clown is based on, and takes many moves from, the original Crip Walk; however, it has no gang affiliation and is generally a lot more complex. Clown Walk moves consist of basic V, Shuffle, Heeltoe, and X-hop. Dancers who utilize this particular form of dance often customize their own moves to make it unique.

Crown Walk [edit]

The Crown Walk is a variation of the Crip Walk and the Clown Walk. The dance is sometimes abbreviated as "C-walk," causing confusion as to whether people are Crip Walking, Clown Walking or Crown Walking. Crown Walk moves consist of the same set as Clown Walk.

Blood Bounce [edit]

The Blood Bounce is an alternative dance performed by the Bloods.

Misconceptions [edit]

A general misconception is that Clown Walkers or "Clowners" tend to be a lot faster and flashier, whereas Crip and Crown Walkers tend be slower and smoother whilst "beatriding" to music. In reality, modern dance c-walk involves more complex movements as well as good "beatriding" and/or "lyricsriding".

The general difference between Crip Walk,^[4] Modern Crip Walk,^[5] Clown Walk^[6] and Crown Walk^[7] are the way moves are executed from elements such as speed, energy, flow, variations, arm control and bounce.

Crip Walkers, Clown Walkers, and Crown Walkers can develop their "walk", interact with other c-walkers, join crews to participate in crew battles and crew tournaments on online communities, such as PimpMyWalk.Com^[8] "TheCwalk". , where there are several hundred members already part of the forum that give tips and advice to the newer members.

Documentaries [edit]

• American rapper CJ Mac released a documentary focused on the beginnings of Crip Walk and its rise in popularity entitled "Cwalk: It's a Way of Livin'". It features such rappers as Snoop Dogg, WC and Ice-T along with original members of the Crips.^[9]

Further reading [edit]

• Erika Hayasaki (2002-06-04). "Some Principals Ban Dance With Gang Ties". Los Angeles Times. 
• Jacob Thompson (2007-05-15). "how to cwalk the v move". Dance Origin. 

References [edit]