b – boying and Masculinity by Denni M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPbyhvdPITM

 
              This clip from Step Up 3D features a battle between the two characters Kid Darkness (played by self – proclaimed b – boy Daniel ‘Cloud’ Campos) and Moose (actor Adam Sevani). The background for this scene is that a group of young adults are gathered around Kid Darkness who is breaking on a piece of cardboard. The crowd is both observing his moves and engaged in the illegal activity of betting. Kid Darkness is presented as the reigning champion of at least several previous battles. Moose comes to observe the scene and finds himself being elected as the next contestant to battle Kid Darkness. Originally reluctant Moose battles Kid Darkness when the former breaker begins to embarrass or “show him up” by starting the battle leaving Moose with the options of participating or walking away (which would be viewed as cowardly). Ultimately Moose is declared the winner as due to police appearance Kid Darkness is unable to take his next turn in the battle. This scene presents the elements b – boying or breaking being viewed as a battle ground, as a symbol of civil disobedience and in this instance a test of manhood and a source of “juice” or a source from which respect is obtained and increased (Watts).

            The simple fact that Kid Darkness is out in public breaking on a piece of cardboard shows the participation in the culture that is Hip – Hop. The clip is also a nod to the multiculturality of Hip – Hop (as depicted in this film), as both the participants and the viewers are of different ethnic and racial backgrounds. One of the four elements of Hip – Hop (emceeing, b – boying, graffiti writing, DJing) b – boying demonstrates the transition from that of a group mentality which had taken the form of street gangs to one of crews (Chang, 114). Traits that survived this transition was the need to match one group against the other. Instead of physical battles, the battle happened on the floor (Chang, 157). Whichever team brought the best moves to the ‘table’ as judged by the onlookers were the champions and were able to uplift their social wealth within the community without having to resort to violence.

            Taking the situation back to the roots of Hip – Hop as being an outlet for communities marginalized from mainstream society, dealing with the poverty that resulted from the failures of the post – Industrial movement as well as various implementations such as the construction of Cross – Bronx expressway (Chang, 10); the public space in which this battle takes place speaks to the idea of civil disobedience as action against a broader society for their abandonment of these communities. The bets being made also speaks to the criminal elements involved.

            What is occurring between Kid Darkness and Moose is also a look into the way masculinity being coded. The fact that Moose is essentially being forced to participate by being “shown up” by Kid Darkness, reveals this inherent understanding that if he walks away from the battle that this will leave a lasting impression on his social status. While having no monetary value, the idea of being able to prove that one is better (especially for men) than someone else seems essential to obtaining power that may otherwise be denied or to increase that amount of power one has already obtained. But with this type of confrontation as Kid Darkness becomes aware, is the risk of losing some of that power in the event of defeat. While defeat is not in and of itself a negative, for it may lead to being exposed to new or more popular techniques and encourages the loser to work on and reconstruct their own style, when it occurs the effects may be debilitating. Depending on the individual and their stake in this ebb and flow of social capital (Kid Darkness with more stake than Moose initially) such a loss may result in the desire to reaffirm one’s status through various means.

            Through this clip one can see not only a representation of the lived experiences of those who participate within the culture and community of Hip – Hop but also within the language of masculinity and how it plays out between men.