History and Origins
Waacking, also referred to as "whacking," is a street dance style that originated from "punking" in the gay clubs of Los Angeles during the 1970s disco era. The term "punk" was a derogatory label for gay men at the time. To divest the dance of these negative connotations, the broader club community later renamed the genre "Waackin'." Dancer and singer-songwriter Jeffrey Daniel is credited with adding the "g," establishing the widely recognized name "waacking".
Waacking largely remained an underground phenomenon until it gained significant popularization through its exposure on the American music-dance television program Soul Train. The style drew influences from various movement forms, including jazz, gymnastics, and martial arts. A particularly significant influence was Hollywood, with dancers stylistically inspired by classic movie stars such as Lauren Bacall, Marlene Dietrich, Bette Davis, and James Dean. These inspirations were evident not only in the movements and poses but also in aspects like dress styles and facial expressions.
The evolution of Waacking's name from "punking" to "Waackin'" and ultimately "Waacking" profoundly illustrates how marginalized communities actively reclaim and redefine their cultural expressions in response to societal prejudice. This linguistic transformation reflects the dance's deep roots in the LGBTQ+ community's pursuit of identity, acceptance, and self-determination, effectively converting a derogatory term into a celebrated art form.
Core Characteristics
Waacking is primarily distinguished by its rotational arm movements, striking poses, and a strong emphasis on expressiveness.It is a dynamic and highly expressive style, characterized by bold movements, exaggerated poses, and a strong connection to musicality. The dance embraces improvisation, representing a direct departure from more standardized or technically rigid dance formats.
Key Movements
The vocabulary of waacking is rich with expressive arm work and dramatic posing:
Lines: A fundamental arm movement where one arm is extended directly downward, then to the side, then straight upward, then to the side again, and finally back down. This pattern is repeated with the other arm, and subsequently performed simultaneously with both arms.
Overheads: This movement begins with the hands positioned around the collarbone area. From there, the hands move upward and behind the neck. As the hands move backward, the chest naturally protrudes.
Rolls: To perform rolls, the arm starts by the side. It is then "rolled" for the first time, completing the motion around the chest. Subsequently, it is rolled again to conclude the movement behind the neck. This two-roll sequence is repeated on the other arm, and then executed with both arms simultaneously.
Grooves: These are rhythmic body movements that form the foundational pulse of the style, driving the overall dance. While recognized as fundamental, specific detailed execution instructions for individual grooves are not extensively provided in the available information.
Posing: A central component of waacking, involving the striking of dramatic, exaggerated poses. These poses are heavily influenced by Hollywood glamour and classic movie stars, integrating facial expressions and full-body engagement.
Execution (Posing Drill): Dancers execute a pose with precision, focusing intently on details such as finger placement, the direction of their gaze, and their facial expression. After refining the pose, the dancer returns to a neutral position. The next step involves practicing snapping sharply into the pose, hitting it consistently on a specific beat (e.g., "Rest, rest, pose!") before returning to neutral and repeating the sequence. To enhance expressiveness, dancers are encouraged to verbalize the intention behind each pose. Once comfortable with individual poses, dancers integrate waacking movements between them ("waackecize") instead of returning to neutral, maintaining sharp hits on the music's beat.
The explicit influence of "Hollywood glamour" and "movie stars" on Waacking's posing and facial expressions highlights the dance's inherent theatricality. This extends beyond mere physical movement, serving as a powerful vehicle for self-expression and the assertion of identity within the LGBTQ+ community. Dancers embody characters and narratives, transforming the dance floor into a stage for personal and collective storytelling.
Cultural Impact and Musicality
Waacking emerged from LGBTQ+ clubs in the 1970s, functioning as a form of creative rebellion and expression for Black and Latino communities who sought safe spaces for self-expression. It provided a means for individuals to assert their identities, project confidence, and challenge societal norms.
The style is typically performed to 1970s disco and 1980s post-disco music, often played at an accelerated tempo to foster a more energetic atmosphere. Over time, waacking has also absorbed influences from funk, soul, jazz, house, and electronic music, and its movements have been incorporated into contemporary R&B and pop choreography.
Waacking's origins as a dance form within LGBTQ+ clubs and its emphasis on self-expression and confidence underscore its profound role as a tool for empowerment and resistance against societal marginalization. The dance provided a vital platform for individuals to express themselves freely, assert their identities, and celebrate their culture without fear of judgment, transforming the dance floor into a space of liberation and pride.