Great. Another poor representation of my dancing got popular.

So first it was the "breaking teachers are everywhere" (nutcrackers) video, which had no real dancing.
Then my power trailer, which really didn't have any dancing.
Then this shuffle video, and I don't even shuffle.

That, to me, is mad silly.
I'm flabbergasted.
In fact, I'm quite bewildered. 
Life is funnyweird.

Why doesn't this happen with what I consider my 'GOOD footage'?
-Like this July 10, 2012 session
-Or this November 2011 session
-And this November 2012 session

Why does this happen with what I consider 'EASY footage'?

"But Tom, it doesn't look easy to me," one might say.
I know, but it IS easy, you just need to practice.

I'm from the pre-YouTube era of animated GIFs and text guides

Windmills are pretty easy, you just have to put in a little time and work to learn it.
Shuffling is super easy. I used to hate on that style, but there's no sense in hating now. I'll still battle any shuffler though.

The more difficult part (see above links, under "GOOD footage"), which I think goes under-appreciated, is the freestyling aspect, and the intricate, creative, musical, and expressive stuff. That aspect of dancing is way cooler to me, compared to a flare>windmill>nutcracker. Basic combo.

I prefer to just dance to my heart's content.
That's what I learned to prefer over my 11 years of doing this.

Closing Points
My videos that catch on more popularly are poor representations of my dance... basic power, nothing unexpected... shuffling...simple, easy... Is that the price of mass appeal? I prefer the real shit, but the "real shit" doesn't catch as much attention.

Unless it's live. Then it's really crazy and nasty. Especially powerful styles. Dancing is best when it's live and in action, not on video or GIF or text. Not even on a performance stage.

If you're in "the scene," stay there. The world needs you.
If you're not in the scene, come to a jam! Cop some merchandise. Support local artists!

Vindication of Mainstream hip hop

I just gotta write this. I grew up with the dichotomy that mainstream hip hop is pretty much wack, and underground is where it's at. That's a great general philosophy, but it's NOT CONSISTENT.

Why? Because there's a ton of sloppy-ass depressing underground music, and because good-quality hip hop music was popular music in the early 90s! even the late 90s, the early 2000s, and especially now in the 2010s. Some great music has come out lately, so I don't buy that "mainstream is wack" shit anymore. Some of it, like Souljah Boi and Mims is pretty weak, but quality can't be denied, and an open mind requires an open ear.

Personally, I've listened to a lot of underground/independent/old school hip hop, cuz shit be BANGIN. Immortal Technique, One Be Lo, MF DOOM, Nas, Wu-Tang, Black Star, Gang Starr, Pete Rock and CL, that's my favorite shit! I'm a hardcore fan....

BUT NOW, over time, and with some more understanding, I'm beginning to see the validity of Jay-Z. Of Lil Wayne. Of Puff Daddy and Biggie Smalls. of Kanye West. even Ludacris and Justin Bieber! It's not just catchy hooks and melodies. They make pretty good music... AND it's popular enough to sell records. That's not easy, that's hard! Admittedly, some songs and artists are just TERRIBLE... like The Newb Boyz. But Eminem and Nas have dropped the craziest verses that hip hop, whether mainstream or underground, has ever seen. Even with Souljah Boi, I can appreciate how he came up in the South. These guys are businessmen, hustlers, artists, entrepreneurs, whatever you wanna call them... they all had humble beginnings, they all worked hard at their craft, AND they get their business right. Why ya hatin'?

This type of business spurs economic growth. In fact, hip hop has created a huge commercial economy that was previously NON-EXISTENT. It wasn't there before, now it is, and people got money and fly gear. Not only that, but hip hop is a self-sustainable economy. More on that in the later post.

I post this because the popular artists seem to generate a lot of hate, especially within the "I like real hip hop" crowd. I guess the world works like that; greatness is met with haters (See: Anyone who's great). It's also for the people who think everything on the radio or TV is wack. I used to be like that... it wasn't very fun. The point is, there's no reason for popular music and quality music to be mutually exclusive; popular music can be good too.

And when "Big Pimpin'" comes on, you're not gonna move? at all? Moving with music is the best way to feel it. I don't know about this party rock shit though.......

By the way, fly girls, fly clothes, and making bank is definitely a part of hip hop!

See: J. Cole, Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem, Biggie Smalls, Tupac, Puff Daddy's "No Way Out" album, Ma$e, DMX, etc. for good mainstream music.

With that said, underground hip hop artists deserve their own vindication. That's happening soon. Next topic: Afrika Bambaataa.