The Impact of ABDC
The first five winners of America's Best Dance Crew
6 seasons are behind us but the winners we will never forget. Americas Best Dance Crew has allowed the dance world to explode in a way that has never been seen before. The concept of ABDC is take 8 dance crews and allow them too battle it out for 10 weeks. The last crew standing is the best crew in America and fame is soon to follow in an extravagant fashion. From season ones overwhelming victory by the Jabbawockeez to the recent victory of I.aM.mE crew, each season has brought a new style to the face of a nation that doesn’t know much about the hip-hop/ b-boy dance scene. Through all this what is the major impact of ABDC on not only the lives of the crews involved but also the crews that are watching intently each season.
There’s no hiding the fact that the Arts in America are falling off heavily in the youth of today. With every bit of innovation in technology killing the motivation of gets to get active, its no wonder that dance is on of the biggest forms of art no longer getting any type of love. This is where ABDC has made its biggest impact because its showing that dance is not dead. Being apart of the popular TV network MTV is one of the many reasons its had such a high amount of exposure over the years but above all the sheer fact that its so entertaining has been why its made it to see season 7. Beyond just giving viewers a reason to explore the dance season, it has also put many hidden styles and lost style back on the map. The traditional styles have been heavily represented (hip-hop, bboy, popping, locking, tutting) but styles like clogging, jump roping, roller-dancing, krump, stepping, footwork, brain-bang and even bone-breaking have made a sudden emergence in the dance scene. Of all the styles that have resurfaced none have seen a more positive impact then b-boy because of all the winners, 4 have had a heavy break-dance background (Jabbawockeez, Super Cr3w, Quest Crew, We Are Heroes). This show has even shown women that they can make a major impact in the dance community with We Are Heroes being an all female group winning season 4.
But over all this the biggest impact I have seen from this show is just how much dance can really lift people out of the toughest situations. Many of the crews entering the show have hardships that directly affect the reasons they have chosen to dance. Whether it be from losing parents, friend, and crew members to injuries and lack of jobs, all these things could tear a person apart but they use dance to escape that hardship. Its amazing to see so many people doing what they love to do because everyday that’s all I ever strive to do is be better and do something that my heart loves to do. Dancing isn’t just another hobby that is falling to the wayside, dance is a lifestyle that many people use to escape the world that they have come to see as too much or even improve a life they see is already pretty good. Americas Best Dance Crew is more then just another television show, its outlet that allows people to live out their dreams and win or lose that can never be taken away from any crew.
Sources:
MTV.com
http://www.mtv.com/shows/dance_crew/season_7/series.jhtml?xrs=googlema_abdc
Youtube.com
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