Street dance known as ‘jookin’ becoming increasingly popular

World Today

Street dance known as 'jookin' becoming increasingly popular

It’s known as gangsta walking, hip-hop ballet or, most commonly, jookin’. It’s a type of street dance that originated in the U.S. state of Tennessee and has become more and more popular.

Perhaps, the most well-known jookin’ performer is a man named Charles “Lil Buck” Riley. Lil Buck showed off his moves recently at a dance festival in Colorado.

CCTV America’s Hendrik Sybrandy reports.

Each year, the Vail International Dance Festival puts on a two-week display of artistry featuring a variety of different dance styles. Including one many might not be familiar with, called jookin’.

Charles “Lil Buck” Riley may be the foremost practitioner of a form of street dance that began in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.

“It used to be called the gangsta walk,” Buck said. “Because gangsta walk isn’t as promotable as jookin’ you know.”

This dance, which almost defies description, relies on intricate footwork and elements of break-dancing and pantomiming. It’s fresh and different and Buck is jookin’s roving ambassador.

Buck believes jookin’ more than holds its own with ballet, a type of dance he once studied and that he freely incorporates into his own work.