Milly Rocking, the Laffy Taffy, walking it out, the Stanky Legg: beginning in the mid 2000s, these (and many other) dance moves turned into movements faster than one could say “Yuu!”, fueled by the growth of the evolving internet, the start of YouTube, and by creative black artists – whose names were often lost in the shuffle.
The upcoming documentary ‘Black Teen Revolution: The Dance Pioneers of the Internet’ highlights the influence of black teenagers and their dance movements that shaped pop culture and the digital world before ‘going viral’ was even called that:
The film is directed by Crystal Alejandro, the founder of popular YouTube channel Black Femininity TV, which focuses on black women’s contributions to pop culture. For “Black Teen Revolution”, Alejandro spent five months traveling across the USA to the communities where some of the most popular dance crazes of the 2000s/2010s were created – from “Crank That” in Atlanta to the “Chicken Noodle Soup” in Harlem.
Since 2019, I’ve dedicated my life to sharing stories about black women’s contribution to pop culture on my YouTube channel, Black Femininity TV. I’m excited to announce BFTV, a digital zine highlighting everything that’s young, black, cool, and feminine about Hollywood. pic.twitter.com/NAlNLai6OL
— Crystal Alejandro (@Crystalejandro) January 28, 2022
But she not only sheds light on the rise of the artists whose creativity is the basis for today’s online trends such as TikTok Challenges. According to the crowdfunding website for the project, which is currently in post-production, it also aims to show the systemic challenges and underappreciation that these artists often face in the music industry and aims “to finally give these voices the recognition they deserve”:
“In basements, schoolyards, and city streets, Black teenagers were creating something far bigger than themselves—dance styles that would become the blueprint for a digital generation. These were more than just moves; they were declarations of identity, community, and power.”
Crystal Alejandro, director of ‘Black Teen Revolution’
Until “Black Teen Revolution” is released in 2025, here’s to three classic dances – in no particular order – to shorten the waiting time. Recommended for (some) family gatherings and dance floors alike.
DJ Unk – ‘Walk It Out’
Unk had everyone and their grandmother turning up to this anthem in 2006: A slick two-step, knees bent, with arms swaying to the beat – and a movement was born. Plus you know it’s a hit when Outkast’s very own Three Stacks had to bless the official remix.
New Boyz – ‘You’re a Jerk’
Jerkin’ was already a thing on the West Coast, but it blew up big time when the New Boyz dropped this video in 2009 and took the dance worldwide. What also helped, was that rappers Ben J and Legacy brought along a whole lifestyle: We’re talking skinny jeans, Vans sneakers, loud outfits, which made it possible to somehow partake in the Jerkin’ craze even if one couldn’t dance.
Soulja Boy – ‘Crank That’
The undisputed first megastar of viral dance choreographies: At just 17 years old, Soulja Boy had the whole U.S. doing his eponymous dance throughout 2007 and beyond. He basically created the blueprint for all the memorable TikTok challenges that would follow decades later – thanks to a choreo featuring not one, but several instantly recognizable moves and footwork.
