Breaking originated in the 1970s from street dancers in New York and was pioneered by African Americans and Latinos. It involves elements like dancing, DJing, rapping, and graffiti. Kool Herc is credited with inventing the breakbeat by playing funk records that isolated the instrumental "break" section. Breaking influenced hip hop culture and spread worldwide, affecting styles of dance, fashion, and language. It is now a competitive sport with battles judged on creativity, flow, technique, and originality.

1. By Justin Henry

2.  During the birth of the hip hop culture, breaking launched itself on to the
dance scene. Created by various street dancers a unique style was born
which amplified throughout the streets of America. The dance style was
originally danced by African Americans and Latino. With breaking being
created in New York it came up with a lot of elements such as Mcing
DJing and Graffiti writing.

3.  Kool herc is the invented of the break beat concept which he originally
played Hard Funk records with James Brown and others. As far as music
is concerned there isn’t a particular genre but break beats must have the
adequate tempos and beat patterns which can be remixed.

4.  With breaking being one of the major elements to impact Hip Hop
culture. You can now see how breaking has influenced many from all over
the world. The way people dress and what the wear, how they talk and
the phrases they use can be traced back to the Hip Hop culture. Breaking
has now become a platform for breakers from all over battle and take
part in competition.

5. Top Rock – a chain of footwork movement put together while in the
standing position. These moves are influenced by locking, popping and
house.
Footwork – a set of moves put together which require breaker use all
elements of their body close to the ground. This includes the hands beings
as much the feet.
Freeze – these moves are done to show strength and musicality. These
moves are described as frozen poses.
Power – these moves are the big crowd winners a display of momentum,
control and athleticism. These moves include rotations and
Acrobatics.

6.  When talking about style it is would inaccurate to say the breakers have
set styles. Each breaker is said to have their own style that make them
unique. In recent times there has been jagged relationship between style
heads and powers heads. Style heads are those who incorporate all areas
of the fundamentals focusing on footwork and charisma, power heads
are those who focus mainly on athletic moves and form.

7.  In a battle breakers compete in front of several judges. The judges are
usually established dancers most likely dancers who have some breaking
back ground. The point of the battle is covers as many areas in breaking
such as musicality creativity flow how moves are chained together and
originality. Apposing B-boys will point out when a breaker has repeated a
move, crashed or stolen a move. Breakers can also battle in team as well
as individually.

8.  Many films have included breaking for e.g Flashdance, Beat Street You
Got Served, the Step Up series and Breakin’.