Steps

Coupé Decalé

Steps

Coupé Décalé is a very quick step. I hope that one day I will be as good as them.

References:

Koné, Y., 2014. [online] Cosmosscholars.com. Available at: <https://www.cosmosscholars.com/images/GJAR-EBMs/GJAR-V1-N1/GJAR-V1N1A4-Kon%C3%A9-.pdf> [Accessed 29 March 2020].

Filming and Location

Filming was the hardest part because I had to do it on my own.

I've been looking for some simple tips to make a more professional video.

The important thing is to use a lot of light, especially natural light. I'm going to film in the middle of the day (a cloudy day) because the light is going to be softer.

My background is supposed to be on campus, but I'm going to change my mind, and my final piece will be in the basketball court.

The video is going to be in HD and audio very clear to not get any background noise.
In the beginning, I was practising my steps in my house and in the garden.
I was agitated, and I couldn't relax, but practice makes perfect.
I take the videos on my phone because this is only practice.

References:

Bedrina, O., 2020. 12 Simple Tips For Making Your Videos Look More Professional. [online] Wave.video Blog. Available at: <https://wave.video/blog/12-simple-tips-for-making-your-videos-look-more-professional/> [Accessed 29 March 2020].

Terms and Terminology

DANCE TERMS FOR BEGINNER DANCER

A lot of dance terminology is used that cannot be explained clearly or directly, but you can understand what they mean. 

I'm sure that this will help me to understand better the meaning of the dance.

8-Count

This is how we count music and break down.

Most dances are choreographed to 8 counts at a time, or two 4 - count measures back to back.

Ball Change

A two steps move in where the weight from one foot to the other foot is

As the name suggests, the kickball change when you kick your foot or splash it before you change the ball.

Bass

the lowest of the traditional four voice ranges (bass, tenor, alto, soprano), or in a musical arrangement, the lowest melodic line promoting harmony.

A bass sound (drums, guitar) may be created by various instruments. Dancers also use the onomatopoeia "boom" to describe a bass drum sound.

Cypher

A cypher is where a circle of dancers turn and dance in the middle.

It can also be a freestyle circle.

The cypher, chip or circle has a deep, prolonged cultural history in hip hop culture, in African tradition and even in religion.

Dynamics

Specific styles of movement execution.

How much and how easily the energy is distributed depends on the dynamics.

Dynamic similarities make a piece more "dynamic."

Focus

Where you look while dancing.

The popular ones are: the diagonals between those sides are: right, left, up, down.

Freestyle

Improvisational dancing which allows a dancer to express their own style.

It is the process of spontaneously creating a movement which was not choreographed in advance.

Fundamentals

The fundamentals of hip hop apply to the four foundations of the hip hop movement.

Fundamental trends are based on different Hip Hop dance forms, street and funk trends, such as dancing, spinning, locksmithing, lounge, punking / waacking, vogueing and much more.

Full Out

Dance with 100% of your energy and efficiency.

Groups

This is where the class is split into smaller groups, and as other students observe, each group performs the piece.

Groups will get bullying! However, it is also an integral part of your development. Just force yourself out of your comfort zone and go for it!

Hi-Hat

A sound that comes from a hi-hat cymbal.

Often dancers call this sound "tss tss."

Holds

If you keep a move and don't move during a count.

Isolation

When you remove one part without transferring other parts of the body.

Levels

Low levels allow you to bend your knees or "plit." High levels can involve standing on your toes at "releve" stage. Compare levels in the mirror with the choreographer or other dancers to make sure you're as low/high as anyone else.

Mark

Dancing a choreography piece with less energy, typically for musicality, pacing, and other resources to practice.

This enables you to be more mindful of the sound, pacing and the positioning of your body.

Percentages may be used by the choreographer to show how much time you can put into your marking. 

Milking

When you spread the motion in a piece or a part of the music.

Musicality

The action suits rhythm, sounds and music's mood in dance.

Depending on the style of the dancer, the song and countless other elements, the dance musicality is seen in different ways.

Lyrics

The words of which the singer sings, often combined with the melody. The lyrics are probably easiest to distinguish, most robust to count/dance to because vocals do not always fit the strict 8 - counts structure. 

Often choreographers make lyric - gestures, such as a imitate behaviour and the use of other body elements, including wordplay.

Plié

A smooth and continuous bending of the knees to the outside of the upper body.

Pictures

Think of pictures as actual images.

If someone takes a picture of you in the count that you hit an image, the clearer the picture turns out to be the "cleaner," the more you run the model.

Rhythm

The repeated patterns in the song.

This is how we "count" and calculate our movements ("8-count").

Select Group

Students selected by the choreographer show the performance to the rest of the class. Only the choreographer has the criteria for the chosen dancers. 

There are so many reasons you can't choose for the group, so don't overthink it.

Snare

The sharp, staccato drum that you hear, the sound that you make when you clap your hands.

Dancers often describe snare as "ka!"

Strings

For more instrumental/acoustic songs, the musical section formed by stringed instruments such as guitars, violins. Guitar strums and vocal melodies are also useful.

Switching lines

If a class rotates from front to back and vice versa, it gives everyone the option of being in front.

If the choreographer is saying "change lines," then step back (and backward) if you are at the front of the house.

This means that everyone has an equal opportunity to get a clear view of the choreographer across the entire class. It would be a little egotistic to sit all the time in the front, right?

Synth

The sound from the synthesizer is produced by electrical signals which are converted to sound using amps and loudspeakers.

The standard reference to "synth" is a synth piano that can sound like an extended slow bass like "wobba wobba"

Tempo

It's the speed of the music.

As you learn a piece, the choreographer will teach at a slow pace, then speed it up to medium, and finally "tempo"– the speed of the song in real-time.

Transitions

These are the movements used for linking two separate parts in a performance set.

The music will shift, and there will be dancers who will "transition" on and off the stage or move on the scene.

Urban Dance / Urban Dance Choreography

Urban Dance is a music, culture, and lifestyle that focuses on choreographed pieces and performances by a dancer or performing groups.

The choreography is inspired by various dance forms but is primarily focused on the understanding of music by the choreographer.

Most of Urban Dance's popular culture was born from college dance teams and competitions.

Textures

Using the right dance textures is the secret to matching music movements.

Textures also allow you to express the right purpose and make your work come alive.

References:

- YouTube. 2017. Jeffrey Caluag | Use Your Focus. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm0PwwCkk0c&feature=emb_logo> [Accessed 17 March 2020

- YouTube. 2018. What Is An 8-Count? | Dance Basics For Beginners | STEEZY.CO. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=100&v=5zX7mOYjooM&feature=emb_logo> [Accessed 17 March 2020].

- STEEZY. 2020. Dance Tips To Improve Your Skills At Any Level. [online] Available at: <https://blog.steezy.co/> [Accessed 17 March 2020].

Choreographer Research

Choreographer Research

 In a world of instant, over-abundant sharing, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram is a dancer's best friend, and it's starting to be mine. I begin to watch more videos as this is a fast and straightforward way to get inspired by the dance. However, videos will not teach me choreography, but they will broaden my dance vocabulary and open my eyes to a new collection of dance movements.
I take advantage of the fact that I have instant access to choreographic works by dancers all over the world.
In my research, I find dancers who are dancing with a passion, who are feeling the music and vibes. They can't live without music and dance.

WillyNoir 
Afro dancer, trainer and artist. Big fan of Michael Jackson. However, Ylian always enjoyed his own music and grew up with Afro-Brazilian scene drums.
He has gone into the Afrohouse scene which is blended with house dance, pantsula and afro from Angola and Portugal.
In the Netherlands, the Afrohouse movement is a myth, you hear it in clubs and festivals and everyone dances with it. Ylian is already part of this new scene for Afrodance, and he would like to share with everyone his experience. He performed as a dancer and trainer at many stages around the world. 










Nuno Bolicao
The young artist from Lisbon.  In 2000, he started dancing in his ghetto, where he was born. He is passionate about Kuduro and Afro House. His first workshop was in Poland, and that was the best experience he ever had. He was able to dance and move in all ways it makes him free. He can express himself and fully enjoy the music.
Nino works hard, and that makes him feel good because every single time, he losing himself in the music. He wants to spread the culture of dance all over the world, and I believe that he can do that because he has a beautiful energy that plagues others to dance.

Edgard Kxnsept 
Lisbon dancer, living in London. He wants to express his passion for the same thing that encouraged others to dance. He has been dancing for more than five years, inspired by none. He is a student, and he even teaches how he feels when someone learns from him, which makes him more conscious of his position. The dance style he is teaching is Afro-House. The majority of the age group is teenagers. The favourite part of becoming a dance instructor is in contact with each other. He had many memorable moments, but each one is different and unique.





Coridlione
Dancer from a very young age, she learned a particular style that was unique to her mother's tribe - Coupé Decalé, Ndombolo and Bikutsi. In college, she took dance lessons and learned everything about dance. Upon arriving in Great Britain, she joined local dance groups and noticed the market void. She began to teach dance in a style that she practised all her life. 
There were few students at the beginning, but as she got more interested, her classes grew. She was created by students and encouraged to share the community that made her succeed.
Cordi is a seven years dance instructor and hasn't decided to leave.

References:

- YouTube. 2019. AFRO BOOM VOL.6 | RUSSIA, MOSCOW | POWERED BY DONGA GIRLS 2018. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-UvekeEmy4&list=PLoTiQDcdT4eoh5iKQ1FS8mXq5X2KA3-zc> [Accessed 16 March 2020].

- 2018. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgPaWTTEyE4> [Accessed 16 March 2020].

- YouTube. 2018. Bolicao Ft Pedro Files - Sound Of Kuduro 2018. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU_QsiBHaa4> [Accessed 16 March 2020].

- Facebook.com. n.d. Nuno Bolicao - Kudurista Português. [online] Available at: <https://www.facebook.com/436307243488226/photos/a.436360523482898/684290075356607/?type=1&theater> [Accessed 16 March 2020].

- WillyNoir. n.d. Willynoir - Afrohouse Artist And Performer. [online] Available at: <https://www.willynoir.com/> [Accessed 16 March 2020].

Choreography Research

Choreography, this is the hardest part!

The hardest part of choreographing a dance is that I forget what I choreographed. 
The easiest way, therefore, is to capture the flow on a video camera/phone.
One thing is sure, an effort is never wasted and unnoticed. 
I was asking myself - how to choreograph a dance routine? Can I do this?
That was a good question; however, I didn't want to give up!

Before I start, I created a list:
- find a song
- get inspiration
- freestyle
- train your self
- edit a few movements before you finish
That should help me. I will keep editing until I am done.

I did some choreography and dance tutorial research. 
This research should help me to create my choreography and to learn and practice steps.

References:

- n.d. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5557GAiWp34> [Accessed 16 March 2020].

- YouTube. n.d. African Dance Tutorial 2019 | Manuel Kanza - KUDURO - AFRO HOUSE | Angola 🇦🇴. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM5xTkWl-NU> [Accessed 16 March 2020].

- n.d. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OSUdoOSchc&list=PLq1KIZ1Hn1z6YWTHNLzEDjYrGws3sKaBv&index=6&t=0s> [Accessed 16 March 2020].

- YouTube. n.d. Coupé-Décalé Afrobeat Dance| Ces. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0sQ_h6KLoU> [Accessed 16 March 2020].

- YouTube. n.d. Serge Beynaud - Zangoule (Dance) Choreography. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOTQAjJ_Rkc> [Accessed 16 March 2020].

- n.d. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdMg-cpyAJU&t=46s> [Accessed 16 March 2020].

- YouTube. n.d. How To Dance Coupé Décalé & Congolese Dance Moves *TUTORIAL* With Ceecee Coco & Gugu. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHZgueaf7KI> [Accessed 16 March 2020].

 

History of Coupé Decalé

Coupé Decalé

The style was born in the French capital. Coupé Decalé is not just music. It's more of a hip hop youth trend. Coupé Décalé means “to cheat” and “runaway” or cut and run.

Doug Saga,  the pioneer of the Coupé Decalé. He contributes with his Ivorian Jet Set group to popularizing in Ivory coast and then in Europe. 
Since 2003, he has been promoted the concepts of Coupé Decalé and work. The work involves throwing banknotes on someone or an artist to encourage them. It also involves showing the person who "works".
Douk Saga promotes a hedonistic lifestyle and displays its material wealth by wearing clothing and jewellery. It is a part of the goers, as they call in Cote d'Ivoire people who like to have fun in the box and talk about them be their ostentatious lifestyle. 
According to his admirers, the first dance steps of the shifted-cut would have been created from the Parisian nightclubs by Douk Saga and his friends including the singer Le Molare, Lionel Patasse said LP and Andy Cacharel.

Douk Saga died Thursday, October 12, 2006, in Ouagadougou, where he was followed, following a chronic pulmonary pathology.
Jet Set was never the same without Douk Saga.

Dj Arafat, Ivorian Dj and singer. He was one of the first musicians who get a million views on YouTube, on the Ivory Coast in less than a day. He became famous because of his song "Moto Moto." He has recorded 11 albums, mostly of Coupé Decalé genre of dance music mixing rapid percussion, choppy rhythms and hip-hop-style vocals. DJ Arafat's popularity has been extended into Europe and the United States, partially thanks to sports stars who have made the dance steps of the genre popular. 
In 2016 and 2017, Dj Arafat was named "Best Artist of the Year" at the Coupé Decalé Ivorian Awards. 
The star of Coupé Decalé died in 2019 on the road accident. 
"The King" died, but his music and dance are still alive.

Dj Arafat

Douk Saga

References:
- Discogs. n.d. Douk Saga. [online] Available at: <https://www.discogs.com/artist/1882321-Douk-Saga> [Accessed 15 March 2020].
- Channels Television. 2019. ‘Africa Has Lost A King,’ Stars, Fans Mourn DJ Arafat. [online] Available at: <https://www.channelstv.com/2019/08/12/africa-has-lost-a-king-stars-fans-mourn-dj-arafat/> [Accessed 15 March 2020].
- CNN. 2016. Coupe-Decale: The Story Behind Ivory Coast's Wartime Parties. [online] Available at: <https://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/30/africa/coup-decale-ivory-coast/index.html> [Accessed 15 March 2020].
- BBC News. 2019. Thousands Pay Tribute To DJ Arafat At Concert. [online] Available at: <https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-49532726> [Accessed 15 March 2020].

Search Results

Target Market

Target Market for Coupé Decalé

My target market for Coupé Decalé is for people aged 25-35 because I believe it is the age of the nightclubs and the festivals. I think so because, in recent years, the majority of people are around this generation, at all parties, nightclubs and festivals. However, an old person (+ 60) who always enjoys a good festival and is still there.

References:
- Arbiterz.com. n.d. [online] Available at: <https://arbiterz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/old-people.jpg> [Accessed 16 March 2020].
- Residentadvisor.net. n.d. [online] Available at: <https://www.residentadvisor.net/images/features/2017/nyege-botiq-02.jpg> [Accessed 16 March 2020].
- ECR. n.d. Watch: French Montana Debuts ‘Famous’ Remix Ft. Adam Levine. [online] Available at: <https://www.ecr.co.za/coca-cola-top-40/watch-french-montana-debuts-famous-remix-ft-adam-levine/> [Accessed 16 March 2020].

Initial Ideas and Research

Dance is an art. Not just a sport, not just movement, it's a passion. I've always wondered if it's too late to dance, the answer is “NO", it is never too late.
I dance because I connect with it, and age should not stop me from doing what I
love.

African Dance is my dance style. 
It is a therapy, that gives me energy and is inspirational. It is strongly associated with the rhythm that harmonizes music with the movement of the body. The music itself has the magical ability to express both sad and happy emotions.

What is my idea?
I would like to introduce you the very strong style of dance called Afro House and Kuduro that blends traditional African dance steps with more modern dance movements such as hip-hop, funk and jazz, all performing with strictly African mannerisms.

Kuduro 
Comes from Angola and became popular in the late 90s in the music and
dance scene. Due to the upbeat nature of Kuduro music (usually 140 beats/min), it creates an energetic part of the dance, mainly using the hips and fast leg work.
However, it becomes an expression of happiness.

Afro-house
It is a form of dance derived from the energetic Kuduro style. This is a lighter, more flexible version of Kuduro. The movements are influenced by
Pantsula, South Africa, Kwait, and recently Azono and Coupé Decalé, along with
other forms of dance. It has a very rhythmic and pleasant style, requiring
concentration on the movement of footwork.

My heart remains in these two styles, although I have recently taken a liking to
another style called Coupé Decalé and has very much aroused my interest.
Coupé Decalé 
It's a music and dance from the Ivory Coast. The style began in the Abidjan nightclub in France in the early 2000s.
Coupé Decalé is very percussive with African samples, deep bass and repetitive minimalism.
Each of this style is very fascinating, but I've chosen only one for my project, which is the Coupé Decalé but will there will be also some influences from Kuduro and Afro House. I can't wait for the final piece.
















References:
- Rough-and-ready. 2010.Encyclopedia Of Kuduro. [online] Available at:
&lt;https://readymadebouquet.wordpress.com/encyclopedia-of-kuduro/&gt; [Accessed 9 March 2020].
- Afropedea.org. n.d.Coupé Decalé – Afropedea. [online] Available at:
&lt;http://www.afropedea.org/coupe-decale&gt; [Accessed 9 March 2020].
- Koné, Y., 2014. The Popular Movement of Coupé-Décalé. Anthropology of an Urban and Coastal
Dance.Global Journal of Anthropology Research, 1(1), pp.20-24.
- Pressure Radio. n.d.Afro House Music Genre Meaning History Meaning South Africa Origins.
[online] Available at: &lt;https://pressureradio.com/afro-house/&gt; [Accessed 9 March 2020].
- motion*s. n.d. Afro House Kuduro - Bei Lil' Clowi - Motion*S. [online] Available at: <https://www.motionsberlin.de/en/kurse/afro-house-kuduro/> [Accessed 16 March 2020].
- Conexaolusofona.org. n.d. [online] Available at: <https://www.conexaolusofona.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/11119645_10203002756868743_579009251_n.jpg> [Accessed 16 March 2020].
- Nytimes.com. n.d. So, You Think It’S African Dance?. [online] Available at: <https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/arts/dance/23african.html> [Accessed 16 March 2020].
- Myglobalhustle.com. n.d. [online] Available at: <http://www.myglobalhustle.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/kuduro4.jpeg> [Accessed 16 March 2020].

Welcome to a New Term

Welcome Back!

New Term, New Project

In my second term, I decided to try something new - DANCE!!!

Dance always makes me happy,  makes me feel excited to be me. 

It gives me an indescribable feeling that I can't get anywhere else.

When I dance, my body feels free of pain and mental dissatisfaction. This sounds like depression disappears. I need space to dance, I need to play my music loudly and "Dance like there's no tomorrow" - a song by American singer Paula Abdul.

This project is the best I could choose in the second term. I am not young anymore but I think that age must not be too big for me to choose which dance to pursue; it is important that I know the limits of my body in order to stay safe.

Reference:

Paula Abdul, (2008) Dance Like There's No Tomorrow. Beverly Hills: Universal Music Group 

Link:

Dance Like There's No tomorrow