Zen Evolution TV is a Los Angeles based Lifestyle and Culture multimedia magazine web channel designed to promote the Zen lifestyle in mainstream everyday life.

In the chaotic world of making a living, Zen Evolution TV's mission is to provide information, education, inspiration and motivation to teach people healthy and evolved ways to relax and enjoy life... the Zen way.

Hip Hoppin’ to Zen

By Stacey Kumagai

Hip Hop was born in the inner-city as a popular urban youth African-American and Latino sub-culture. It was created from a series of different historical events in pop culture starting from
the 1970s with the start of funk music and the dance movement called “locking” originated by Don Campbell of “The Lockers.” This was Hip Hop’s foundation.

From there, as more dance styles evolved along with break dancing, fashion, beat-boxing, locking, graffiti, popping and rapping, turning Hip Hop from sub-culture to a mainstream culture all its own.

Hip Hop is considered to be one of the most elaborate forms of expression and artist fusion all in one type of culture. A series of progressive art forms of dance, fashion and style have
incorporated into what Hip Hop is known as today. But the ultimate mark was made on the music side from DJing in the clubs, bringing the rhythmic flow of the music to commercial radio
stations, which put Hip Hop on the map.

“Krumping” originated in the South Central communities of Los Angeles back in the 90s. It is a full-bodied, tight, confrontational and totally interactive free-style dance clown form that mostly
incorporates stomps, arm swings, wobbles and chest popping. This total movement of bobbing and nodding in-between full movements keeps this icing to the Hip Hop movement dance cake, swirling in non-stop high energy. The fusion of Krumping into the Hip Hop culture of dance has escalated the style to another level.

There is only one educational institution in the entire world where you can get a degree in Hip Hop. The University of East London's Institute for Performing Arts (IPAD) offers the urban dance Bachelor degree in the world specializing in hip hop, urban, and global dance forms.

Some people believe that Hip Hop’s music roots really come from rhythm & blues, bebop and scat singing with street knowledge incorporated into spoken word poetry. This ultimately created rap fusion which eventually evolved into creating the foundation for Hip Hop music
stylings.

Hip Hop Dance is now featured in many clubs, movies and music videos. It is now incorporated as a dance class beyond the dance studio, making its way into health clubs for fitness cardio workouts.