BREAKDANCING IS BACK

The '80's breakdancing craze is back

If you thought breakdancing disappeared in the '80s in a haze of leg warmers and sweat bands then you are in for a surprise because breakdancing is back - in a big way. Inside Out finds out more.

Spinning, popping, windmills and backspin, if you've never heard of these complex breaking moves - much less tried them - then you're not alone.

Inside Out presenter Ashley Blake digs out his tracksuit and limbers up as he prepares to break with the best of them - just don't try this at home!

Revival of the fittest

The man at the forefront of this breaking revival in the West Midlands is Frenchman Marso.

Ashley limbers up in Marso's breakdancing class

Breakdancing may be exploding back into mainstream fashion, but according to one breaker, it's never been away.

"Everyone thought it died out, but it didn't really, it was still underground," explains Vixen.

"There were always people doing it, but now it's getting more popular commercially again."

Marso moved to Birmingham two years ago and has turned his passion for breaking into a living.

Marso runs breaking classes for complete novices like Ashley and those wanting to advance their skills.

There is no doubt that breaking is sneaking back into public consciousness - Marso's crew were one of many breakdancing crews to perform in the high profile opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

Battle of the breakers

Marso's crew are currently preparing for a big battle in which they compete against other crews from around the Midlands.

Breaking battles began in the '70s and became a non violent way for gangs to prove their superiority.

"It started in New York," says one of Marso's crew.

"The gangs, instead of fighting, decided to battle it out on the dance floor."

The crews may no longer be battling for supremacy on the streets, but there is still pride at stake.

"It gives you adrenaline to pull off your best moves," explains one breaker. "But it is absolutely nerve racking."

Back to the beginning

It is widely accepted that breakdancing started with the king of cool himself, James Brown and his hit song 'The Good Foot' in the '60s.

During his stage performance, James Brown got to the floor to perform some basic footwork. The crowd were astonished and breaking burst on to the dance floor.

The craze was short lived as people soon lost interest in the simple moves.

Thanks to the world famous Rock Steady Crew, breakdancing made a massive comeback in the late '70s as they blended acrobatic moves and gymnastic flair with original breaking.

Films such as Flashdance, Beat Street and Breakin, ensured that breakdancing became firmly established and by the mid '80s, breakdancing had its own world championships.

Crews throughout the Midlands battle it out on the dance floor

Back on top

For Sean Bailey growing up in Leicester in the '80s, breakdancing was a huge influence.

Twenty years on, and Sean is still getting down.

"All the Midlands breakers from Birmingham, Nottingham and Derby, would go down South and take on the South breakers," says Sean.

From the late '90s onwards, breaking began to resurface in music videos. From Run DMC vs Jason Nivens' classic New York battle, to the queen of rap - Missy Elliot.

Even prince of pop Justin Timberlake has borrowed from the bank of breakdancing moves. All of which means breaking is making a commercial comeback too.

But will Ashley Blake be getting in on the revival? With a few lessons under his belt and an audience of established breakers to impress, Ashley gives it his best shot.

A hearty round of applause signals that Ashley has made a few friends - if not the team. A few more years practicing and who knows - Ashley may make the crew in time for breakdancing's next big revival.