Robot (dance)

The robot (or mannequin) is an illusionary dance style - often confused with popping - that attempts to imitate a dancing robot or mannequin. It was originated by Charles Washington, also known as "Charles Robot" in the late 1960s [ [http://www.oldschoolsports.itcstore.com/default.aspx?p=87147 Masters Hall of Honor | LockerLegends products] .

Description

All movements of the Robot are started and finished with a lock, to give the impression of motors starting and stopping. The dancer's posture is initially kept rigid at all times until he or she has mastered the technique and is able to relax while maintaining the robotic illusion.

Because the Robot, popping, and locking are closely related, Robot dancing is often confused with popping and liquid dancing in general. The Robot, however, refers only to the technique of imitating a humanoid robot.

Variations

Broken robot

A variation on the robot is the "broken robot" style, where various parts of the dancer's body are shaken rapidly, giving the impression that the robot is breaking down. A lock-and-release of joints can also give the appearance of supports breaking down. The dancer may also freeze with an arm straight to the side with lower arm swaying.

The Malfunctioner

A further deviation from the commonly accepted robot routine is the Malfunctioner, which is most often segued into from the "broken robot." Usually saved for the culmination of the dance, this move involves the performer stiffening, moving their joints in an exaggeratedly jerky fashion with a look of confusion on their face, and finally feigning a fall to the ground. The move attempts to leave the onlooker with the impression that the robot has completely ceased to function.

Music

As with popping in general, the visual impact of the robot can be boosted by doing it in pace with music. The best effect is achieved with music that has very distinct beats such as electrofunk. It is nonetheless common to use music not particularly suited for the dance, but which has a "robot theme", such as The Jackson 5's "Dancing Machine" and Styx's "Mr. Roboto".

Unlike most other dances, the robot may also be accompanied a cappella by making vocal impressions of beeps and other electro-mechanical noises.

In popular culture

* In the qualifying rounds for the 2006 World Cup, English striker Peter Crouch, after scoring a critical goal, began to do the robot dance and became a media sensation.
* Stewie Griffin performs the robot in the "Family Guy" episode "Fast Times at Buddy Cianci, Jr. High."
* Dexter from "Dexter's Laboratory" performs it, along with robots in one episode wrap around.
* In the movie "Eight Crazy Nights", Whitey does the dance to the tune of "Mr. Roboto."
* In "Chappelle's Show", there is one character that appears in the background of many sketches doing the robot.
* In an episode of "My Name Is Earl", Randy and Earl appear doing the Robot to the tune of Mr Roboto, while lights flash across the room they are dancing in.
* In an episode of "Arrested Development", Buster dances in the stair car to "Mr. Roboto," until his hook gets stuck in the dashboard. This is a reference to Tony Hale's role in a well known VW commercial several years prior.
* A running gag of "Futurama" is that Bender Bending Rodriguez is ironically bad at performing the robot dance.
* In the movie "Major Payne", Damon Wayans performs the robot in a dance club scene.
* In the movie "Eurotrip", the main character defeats a French street performer in a robot dance showdown in front of the Louvre.
* The current Guinness World Record for the Largest Robot Dance is held by students of the University of Kent who achieved the feat in September 2007 with 276 taking part.
* The band [http://www.7dollartaxi.com 7 dollar taxi] released a single, "do the robot," which incorporated the robot dance and can be viewed on major music channels across the world.
* This is also a much-known dance of Michael Jackson's.

References

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSoVKUVOnfQ Robot Dance] Kids doing the Robot dance
* [http://howtodotherobot.com/robot.htm How to do the Robot] Videos explaining how to do different Robot techniques
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1216393711342066914 Robot dance combined] with air guitar at the Air Guitar World Championships 2005 at Google Video.
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdz88MBWomo James Brown] Doing the Robot Dance in a '70s video.