This article appeared in the Feb. 19, 2003 Cambridge Chronicle

Hip-hop classes start March 1

By Susie Davidson

CORRESPONDENT

Hip-hop is much more than a dance style to Carl Alleyne, aka Triiiplethreat. “In its true essence, hip-hop cannot be, and should not be, interpreted or described in words. It is a feeling. An awareness. A state of mind.”

The dance phenomenon, reflecting a prestige and poise within the urban jungle, can surmount environment or circumstance on a personal level, according to Alleyne. “Intellectually, it is an alternative behavior that enables one to transform subjects and objects in an attempt to describe and/or change the character and desires of one’s inner being,” he said.

The Boston native, and artistic director of the newfound Hip-Hop Dance Company TTE:Triiiplethreat Entertainment, has taught, danced and performed the genre throughout New England for over ten years. He’s worked with the Boston Ballet, Brookline Ballet Etc., Jeanette Neill Dance Studio, Healthpoint of Waltham, Greater Boston YMCA, Boston Racquette Club Topf Center of Dance Education and other organizations, as well as with many choreographers on numerous dance projects.

Beginning March 1, he’ll be conducting a series of Hip-Hop Explosion and House Dance Classes at the Dance Complex at 536 Mass. Ave. in Central Square. With contemporary music videos and performances of standard dance club sequences, the past and present culture, as well as the moves, will be covered.

“There are different aspects of hip-hop,” explained Alleyne, who noted sociological facets Djay’in, Mc’ing, graffiti, fashion and dancing. As for the dancing itself, commonly practiced in clubs, he cited the movement modalities called lockin, poppin, boogin, b-boyin (commonly known as break dancing), and basic hip-hop.

Alleyne’s Hip-hop Explosion Dance Class will concentrate on dance, intermingling the styles of contemporary hip-hop, b-boyin, lockin and poppin. Dance moves of the underground clubs will be viewed and emulated in a stylin’, yet seriously cardiovascular workout.

The urban dance form of house dancing, or jacking, which derived from the disco movement, will be explored in the House Dance Education Class in another melange of aesthetic aerobics.

The roots of hip-hop can be traced to the streets of New York, especially the South Bronx, following the early 1970s arrival of Jamaican DJ Kool DJ Herc, who coined the term. His style involved the recitation of improvisational rhyming over reggae tunes, and using an audio mixer to further extend portions of songs.

“What has to be said about the birth of hip-hop is that it was the cultural expression of urban youth in their rawest and most creative form,” commented dancer and choreographer George Lumpkin.

The rapping trend caught fire, culminating in the groundbreaking work of DJ Grandmaster Flash, who incorporated his own electronic mixing techniques with his group the Furious Five. This set the pace for future stars the Sugarhill Gang, Run DMC, Public Enemy and others, who pioneered a socially conscious, revolutionary branch of hardcore rap. Gangster rap, popularized by West Coast rap artists N.W.A., Snoop Doggy Dog and the late Tupac Skakur followed; female stars such as Lauren Hill have helped to firmly establish the genre.

"Hip-hop is an urban life blood that can't be learned or taught,” added Domino, a dancer from the local PNC Dance Crew. “It can only be lived. It flows from within."

"There’s a lot of teachers teaching a hip-hop that isn’t the real culture,” said dancer and choreographer Shallow. “It’s more like aerobics. To really understand it you need to learn why you’re doing it, and where the dances came from.”

Alleyne has performed onstage with artists including Gladys Knight, Ray Charles, The Ojays, SWV, The Wu-Tang Clan, and SPEECH of Arrested Development. His R&B band Eye 2 Eye has won three Boston Music Awards. He completed a nine-city West Coast tour in 2000, and has also performed in Paris.

TTE’s goal is to impart enthusiasm and build self-image through the art form and culture of hip-hop and other urban dance forms, exploring and sharing its positive and various elements through performances, workshops, classes and other events.

“Hip-hop is a unique inner-city awareness that enhances one's ability to self-create,” he said. “It is a ‘sight’, a way to view the world while boosting self-esteem. It is the name of our collective consciousness. It is a blessing, a gift from God.”

Hip-Hop Explosion I will be held every Saturday, beginning March 1, at the Dance Complex, 536 Mass. Ave., from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Hip-Hop Explosion II will be held each Thursday, from 6-7:30 p.m. Hip-hop Advanced meets every Saturday from 1-2:30 p.m.

The House Dance Education Class will meet each Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-noon. For further information, call 617-257-8347 or email tte@triiiplethreat.com.