Robot (dance)
Encyclopedia
The robot is an illusionary street dance
style – often confused with popping
– that attempts to imitate a dancing robot
or mannequin
. Roboting gained fame after Michael Jackson
used the dance when he performed "Dancing Machine
" with his brothers, however the dance was originally created by Ron Cornelius.
to the beat. As long as the illusion of being a robot is maintained, it is considered the robot.The dance was created in 1967.
Robot dancing is often considered a subsection of popping because poppers often include the robot in their routines, sometimes adding pops to the beat while maintaining the illusion of a robot, but the robot also exists as its own dance and is sometimes considered a performance rather than a dance when the performer is imitating a robot without any music. When done without music it is considered to be mime
, instead of dance. Street theater often featured mimes who did a mechanical man or puppet style illusion, without music. In the late 1960s the style was used while social dancing to funk or soul music. Charles "Robot" Washington was not the first to strictly imitate a robot as a mime, however he and his partner "Robot Ann" were the first to socially couple dance the style to music at parties and clubs, and it was at this point it became a party dance and later combined with other illusion styles to form today's popping style. It is commonly known as "Robotics". Roboting has also been likened to the jazz-era folk dance of puppeting (a style also appreciated in some forms of experimental ballet), whereby the dancer would emulate the mechanical movements of a simple musical box doll.
in general, the visual impact of the robot can be boosted by doing it in pace with music. The best effect is achieved with music that has very distinct beats such as electrofunk. It is nonetheless common to use music not particularly suited for the dance, but which has a "robot theme", such as The Jackson 5
's "Dancing Machine
" Robot done by Michael Jackson
and Styx
's "Mr. Roboto
".
Unlike most other dances, the robot may also be accompanied a cappella
by making vocal impressions of beeps and other electro-mechanical sounds.
performed a robot dance on scoring a goal, but he has recently vowed to refrain from doing it until he scores an important goal. It has since been popular in the sporting world and the celebration can be performed in FIFA 10
,FIFA 11
and 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa
.
Street dance
Street dance, more formally known as vernacular dance, is an umbrella term used to describe dance styles that evolved outside of dance studios in any available open space such as streets, dance parties, block parties, parks, school yards, raves, and nightclubs, etc...
style – often confused with popping
Popping
Popping is a street dance and one of the original funk styles that came from California during the 1960s-70s. It is based on the technique of quickly contracting and relaxing muscles to cause a jerk in the dancer's body, referred to as a pop or a hit...
– that attempts to imitate a dancing robot
Robot
A robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...
or mannequin
Mannequin
A mannequin is an often articulated doll used by artists, tailors, dressmakers, and others especially to display or fit clothing...
. Roboting gained fame after Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
used the dance when he performed "Dancing Machine
Dancing Machine
"Dancing Machine" is a 1973 song recorded by The Jackson 5, released as a single in 1974. The group's first US Top Ten hit since 1971's "Sugar Daddy", "Dancing Machine" reached number two on the Billboard pop music charts in May 1974, and number one on the R&B charts...
" with his brothers, however the dance was originally created by Ron Cornelius.
Description
The robot is simply the illusion of being a robot. Movements of the robot are normally started and finished with a dimestop (a very abrupt stop), to give the impression of motors starting and stopping, but poppers have also been known to do the robot with a popPopping (dance)
Popping is a street dance and one of the original funk styles that came from California during the 1960s-70s. It is based on the technique of quickly contracting and relaxing muscles to cause a jerk in the dancer's body, referred to as a pop or a hit...
to the beat. As long as the illusion of being a robot is maintained, it is considered the robot.The dance was created in 1967.
Robot dancing is often considered a subsection of popping because poppers often include the robot in their routines, sometimes adding pops to the beat while maintaining the illusion of a robot, but the robot also exists as its own dance and is sometimes considered a performance rather than a dance when the performer is imitating a robot without any music. When done without music it is considered to be mime
Mime
The word mime is used to refer to a mime artist who uses a theatrical medium or performance art involving the acting out of a story through body motions without use of speech.Mime may also refer to:* Mime, an alternative word for lip sync...
, instead of dance. Street theater often featured mimes who did a mechanical man or puppet style illusion, without music. In the late 1960s the style was used while social dancing to funk or soul music. Charles "Robot" Washington was not the first to strictly imitate a robot as a mime, however he and his partner "Robot Ann" were the first to socially couple dance the style to music at parties and clubs, and it was at this point it became a party dance and later combined with other illusion styles to form today's popping style. It is commonly known as "Robotics". Roboting has also been likened to the jazz-era folk dance of puppeting (a style also appreciated in some forms of experimental ballet), whereby the dancer would emulate the mechanical movements of a simple musical box doll.
Arrested robot
A variation on the robot is the "arrested robot" style, where the movement of various parts of the dancer's body are arrested and shaken rapidly, giving the impression that the robot is breaking down. A lock-and-release of joints can also give the appearance of supports breaking down. The dancer may also freeze with an arm straight to the side with lower arm swaying.The Mannequin
This movement is simply mimicking the mannerisms of window store mannequins like the ones seen during Christmas time in major department store windows. It involves affecting a blank stare and slow motion movements of all the joints.Music
As with poppingPopping
Popping is a street dance and one of the original funk styles that came from California during the 1960s-70s. It is based on the technique of quickly contracting and relaxing muscles to cause a jerk in the dancer's body, referred to as a pop or a hit...
in general, the visual impact of the robot can be boosted by doing it in pace with music. The best effect is achieved with music that has very distinct beats such as electrofunk. It is nonetheless common to use music not particularly suited for the dance, but which has a "robot theme", such as The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 , later known as The Jacksons, were an American popular music family group from Gary, Indiana...
's "Dancing Machine
Dancing Machine
"Dancing Machine" is a 1973 song recorded by The Jackson 5, released as a single in 1974. The group's first US Top Ten hit since 1971's "Sugar Daddy", "Dancing Machine" reached number two on the Billboard pop music charts in May 1974, and number one on the R&B charts...
" Robot done by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
and Styx
Styx (band)
Styx is an American rock band that became famous for its albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Chicago band is known for melding the style of prog-rock with the power of hard rock guitar, strong ballads, and elements of American musical theater....
's "Mr. Roboto
Mr. Roboto
"Mr. Roboto" is a song written by Dennis DeYoung and performed by the band Styx on their 1983 concept album Kilroy Was Here. In Canada, where they were always more popular than in their native U.S., it went to #1 on the RPM national singles chart, becoming their third single to top the charts in...
".
Unlike most other dances, the robot may also be accompanied a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
by making vocal impressions of beeps and other electro-mechanical sounds.
Sport
Stoke City footballer Peter CrouchPeter Crouch
Peter James Crouch is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Stoke City and the England national team.Crouch started his career as a trainee with Tottenham Hotspur...
performed a robot dance on scoring a goal, but he has recently vowed to refrain from doing it until he scores an important goal. It has since been popular in the sporting world and the celebration can be performed in FIFA 10
FIFA 10
carlos leivaFIFA 10 is the 17th title in Electronic Arts' FIFA series of football video games. Developed by EA Canada, it was published by Electronic Arts worldwide under the EA Sports label. It was released on 2 October 2009 in Europe, 30 September in Australia and 20 October 2009 in North America...
,FIFA 11
FIFA 11
FIFA 11 is the 18th title in Electronic Arts' FIFA series of football video games. Developed by EA Canada, it was published by Electronic Arts worldwide under the EA Sports label...
and 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa (video game)
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa is the official video game for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, published by EA Sports.The game was announced on 26 January 2010 during a GameSpot interview with Simon Humber, one of the producers of the game, and released April 27, 2010 in North America...
.
In popular culture
- On September 29, 2009, the Guinness World Record for the Largest Robot Dance was attempted by RobogalsRobogalsRobogals is an international student-run organisation that aims to substantially increase the number of young women pursuing engineering in their tertiary studies and careers. Its primary activity is fun, educational robotics workshops aimed at girls in primary and secondary school...
at the University of MelbourneUniversity of MelbourneThe University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, Australia. The previous record of 276 was broken when a Guinness World Record recognised 318 people were recorded as dancing in unison in approved robot style. - More recently, in 2010, the season 5 winners of America's Best Dance CrewAmerica's Best Dance CrewAmerica's Best Dance Crew, often abbreviated as ABDC, is an American competitive dance reality television series that features street dance crews from the United States and around the world. It is produced by American Idol judge Randy Jackson and airs on MTV...
, Poreotix, were known for their use of robot-like movements. - LXD member and Step Up 3D cast member Madd Chadd (Chadd Smith) is credited and known for his specialty with using popping in the form of robot style. He performed in the ACDC final battle during the song "Robot Rock". He also appeared in Step Up 3D and the critically acclaimed series The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers. Another LXD member, Harry Shum, Jr.Harry Shum, Jr.Harry Shum, Jr. is an American dancer, actor, and choreographer. He is best known for his role as Mike Chang on the FOX television show Glee. He has appeared in dance films such as Stomp the Yard, You Got Served, Step Up 2: The Streets and Step Up 3D...
, briefly performed the dance in Glee: The 3D Concert MovieGlee: The 3D Concert MovieGlee: The 3D Concert Movie is a 2011 American 3-D concert film directed by Kevin Tancharoen. It is based on the Fox television series Glee and features the cast performing during the Glee Live! In Concert! tour.-Synopsis:...
. - In an episode of Angelina Ballerina: The Next StepsAngelina Ballerina: The Next StepsAngelina Ballerina: The Next Steps is a British and American CGI animated television series premiered on September 5, 2009, Nick Jr. in 2009, and Discovery Kids Latin America in 2010. A continuation of the Angelina Ballerina series of children's books by Katharine Holabird, the author and Helen...
, some of the mice perform the "Robot Dance". - On Chappelle's ShowChappelle's ShowChappelle's Show is an American sketch comedy television series created by comedian Dave Chappelle and Neal Brennan, with Chappelle hosting the show as well as starring in various skits. Chappelle, Brennan and Michele Armour were the show's executive producers. The series premiered on January 22,...
, set designer Karl Lake appears in several skits performing the robot in random places. - In Date NightDate NightDate Night is a 2010 action comedy film directed by Shawn Levy and starring Steve Carell and Tina Fey. It was released in the United States on April 9, 2010...
, and Real SteelReal SteelReal Steel is a 2011 American science fiction film starring Hugh Jackman and directed by Shawn Levy. The film is based in part on the 1956 short story "Steel" by Richard Matheson, though Levy placed the film in U.S. state fairs and other "old-fashioned" Americana settings. Real Steel was in...
, both directed by Shawn Levy, the main characters perform the dance.
External links
- Robot dance combined with air guitarAir guitarPlaying air guitar is a form of dance and movement in which the performer pretends to play rock or heavy metal-style electric guitar, including riffs, solos, etc. Playing an air guitar usually consists of exaggerated strumming and picking motions and is often coupled with loud singing or lip-synching...
at the Air Guitar World Championships 2005 at Google Video. - James Brown Doing the Robot Dance in a '70s video.