The debut of breaking at the Olympics has sparked mixed reactions from viewers regarding whether the spirit of the hip-hop art form was accurately captured during the Paris Games. One notable participant was Rachael Gunn, known as “b-girl Raygun,” a 36-year-old from Sydney, Australia. Despite gaining internet fame, Gunn’s unconventional moves failed to match the skill level of her younger competitors.
Critics raised concerns about Gunn’s routine being showcased as a representation of hip-hop culture on the Olympic stage. Additionally, Lithuanian b-girl Nicka raised eyebrows by wearing a durag during her performances, a symbol historically significant to Black culture. Some viewers considered this cultural appropriation, as durags are associated with Black pride and style.
The silver medal in the breaking competition was ultimately won by Japan’s b-girl Ami, with Lithuania’s b-girl Nicka taking the second spot. Nicka credited the original pioneers of hip-hop from the Bronx for her success, recognizing their contribution to the development of breaking as a dance form.
There were worries about the commercialization of breaking and hip-hop culture as it made its Olympic debut. Many feared that the essence of breaking, rooted in local communities and street culture, would be lost in a structured and commercialized Olympic environment.
B-girl Talash, a refugee from Afghanistan, made a bold statement by wearing a “Free Afghan Women” cape during her performance, resulting in her disqualification for violating the Olympics’ ban on political statements. American b-girls Logistx and Sunny faced elimination in the round-robin phase, a disappointing outcome for the birthplace of hip-hop.
Snoop Dogg and ICE T expressed their excitement about the breaking competition, with Snoop Dogg making a grand entrance to the soundtrack of “Drop it Like it’s Hot” at the stadium. The b-boys will have their chance to showcase their skills on Saturday, offering Olympic breaking another opportunity to represent hip-hop culture.
Overall, the debut of breaking at the Olympics has generated a mix of reactions, highlighting the challenge of balancing the authenticity of hip-hop culture with its exposure to a global audience through the Olympic platform.
