Hip-hop was born in the Bronx in the 1970s -- but it's found a second home in modern multicultural France. Though it began as an art form of the streets, French aficionados quickly gave it pride of place on stages across the country…slotting it into theatre programmes alongside more established forms of dance like classical or contemporary. This prestigious hip-hop festival in the Paris suburbs is now in its 21st year.
"In other countries it's remained a type of choreography, with dancers grouped together in set places. But there's no diversity, there's no one coming out of the pack to take a solo, showing individual personality."
And though it's often seen as a male-dominated world, women are increasingly involved in hip-hop. Though many say that before they could take part in the famous hip-hop freestyle battles, they had to prove themselves worthy opponents.
"You had to act like them -- put on a big baggy T-shirt and baseball cap, do THIS like the guys did. Once you'd done that, it was all, 'You see, I can do that too….and I know how to do THIS as well, I know how to do THIS and THIS and THIS. you know, I can act like a girl -- I am a girl.' "
And there's now a new generation of hip-hop stars, drawing inspiration from some unexpected sources. Dancers on this stage are incorporating elements from the circus and carnival tradition…creating new, hybrid forms of dance.
"This cultural exchange is always worthwhile. And what's interesting is keeping things evolving, getting to a level where you can bring everything together."
It may owe more to the dance school than the ghetto -- but as this festival hopes to show, hip-hop has, for many young admirers, become one of the most French dance forms available.
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