Kevin Sees The Art In Hip Hop

Kevin excels as a dancer, a singer, an actor, a songwriter, an educator, and a full-out supporter of the dance community.

Kevin Stea

Last July, an interesting challenge surfaced between judges at a dance competition in Italy. 

In the hip hop category, bouncy smiles were chosen over great choreography. A red flag came up when we began to talk about the category and the ballet dancer next to me said, “well, what do I care about the hip hop stuff?”. What? I found that so disrespectful, rude and condescending. We were there to judge performances, not to smother them with out own prejudices about the art form and which has more worth.

I am not mister hip hop of the west coast, but I will champion the worth of the style with anyone who asks. It takes balls, courage, creativity and heart to create something new. Where is the new coming from in the world of dance? From modern and hip hop, bottom line. Perhaps the movements of hip hop are not as deeply rooted in significance and story as other styles, but was Jackson Pollack less important because he wasn’t following a classical idea of art, or expressing a representation of something physical?

Hip hop often comes from the young, so it’s easy to dismiss it as juvenile or immature or under-developed. I think that makes it fresh and exciting. From the hearts of those who haven’t had their opinions and ‘sensibilities’ molded and set with time. Yes, some people are followers and others are leaders, some imitators and some innovators. Some are simply following their heart and their desire to express in their bodies what they may not be able to put into words.

Hip hop isn’t necessarily refined or pretty. There’s a glut of hypersexual, hyper-violent expression within it. It is not the trained classicism of the ages, it is often created by the street. By kids expressing themselves, in all that dramatic, heartfelt manner. Though exaggerated, I say hip hop reflects modernity far more than the distant, rarified perfection of the classical ballet that the other judges seemed to hold to such high esteem. It is one thing to hold dear the technique and training of ballet, another to discount the worth of a style because it offends your sensibilities.

I can respect any art that challenges my sensibilities. That means it’s pushing a button. Even if I’m not ready to go through that door, I don’t discount it because I don’t agree with it. I’m sure the other judges would argue that those hip hop dancers were not doing ‘art’. I would say, go try and create that movement yourself and see what happens. Dance is expression, art is expression. They are intertwined. Though hip hop can be filled with less than noble ideas, vulgarity and base emotion, aren’t we also filled with the same?

What is art, but something we say is art? Art is the context within which we view something. It is the meaning we give something. If we say something isn’t art, well, maybe it’s us who are not looking closely enough. Art is not always intended by the maker, but lives in the eyes of the viewer, the experiencer.

“What do I care about hip hop?”. I care a lot about hip hop. I care a lot about ballet, modern, painting, design and poetry. Especially when I’m put in a position to judge a student competition intended to inspire. I think some of those judges forget that the only reason they have any say in that competition is because of the permission given by those competing.

Someday very soon, someone is going to bust through the walls around hip hop and elevate it truly to an art that everyone can acknowledge. Someone with an understanding of the audience’s eye, who can blend the creativity and energy of hip hop with timeless meaning, imagery and intent. I keep putting it out there... we are getting closer!

“HEAR, HEAR KEVIN!”

Grover, Nadine, Kevin, and Christian are always looking for new talent.

Grover Dale

“To support you, Kevin, here's a quote about hip hop that came from SYTYCD.  In the L.A. Times,  producer Nigel Lythgoe said this...

"As for what's ahead this season, a hip-hop dancer may finally be ready to take the throne. Urban dancers in past years have been eye-catching at the early stages but have faltered when confronted with the more formal styles contestants must master. That might change.  We've got, without question, some of our best hip-hop poppers and breakers that we've ever had. And some of them will actually get through to our top 10 . . . they are stunning in what they can do…”

THE CHOREOGRAPHY MEDIA HONORS is another source of notable hip hop choreography. Among the choreos honored in 2008 were Dave Scott, Mandy Moore, Wade Robson, Chuck Maldonado, and Jeri Slaughter.  See their vids below.