One of the most amazing things about dance, is the fact that it is so liberating, and so expressive. Dancing is a way of losing your inhibitions, letting go of the stresses of modern living, and being a true and unapologetically authentic version of yourself.

Of course, one of the most interesting things about dance is the fact that there are so many different forms to choose from. You’ve classic ballroom classics such as the Foxtrot, Tango, and the Waltz, along with more contemporary styles like Jazz, or even Ballet.

Arguably the most expressive and liberating of all however, is street dance. Street dance comes in many forms, and emphasises a great deal of improvisation and self-expression. It’s about letting free, letting your guard down, and expressing yourself the way you truly want to be perceived.

In recent years, a unique form of street dance dating back to the 1970s known as Waacking (Whacking) has resurfaced and is proving particularly popular amongst younger dancers.

But what exactly is Waacking and where did it originate? Let’s find out, shall we?

What is Waacking?

Very simply, Waacking is a unique form of street dance which came to prominence during the 1970s on America’s West Coast.

It is a dynamic, unique, highly expressive form of dance, which is once again hugely popular in modern society, particularly amongst younger dancers in the LGBTQ+ community. As is always the way when things come full circle, despite being true to its origins, it has advanced and evolved over the years and now also influences a wide range of other sub-genres of freestyle and street dance.

Also sometimes referred to as ‘punking’ like so many other forms of dance out there, it was originally popularised by a small minority of society’s outcasts as a way of taking back their identities and letting their voices be heard loud and clear. Of the many styles of street dance out there, Waacking is certainly up there as one of the most expressive. It’s bold, it’s unapologetically liberating, and it requires a great deal of improv.

The Origins of Waacking

Waacking was made popular during the 1970s, on America’s West Coast, particularly in and around California, and more specifically, Los Angeles.

It was in LA’s gay clubs, where the dance really began to find its feet. Clubs, which also played funk, disco, and other high-energy music genres became home to countless minorities who wanted to let loose, let free, and enjoy themselves, completely free of judgement and prejudice.

Suddenly, primarily Black, Asian, Latino, and Gay men were permitted to let loose and dance the way they wanted to dance, rather than how society believed that men should dance, I.E in a masculine, sexy, exotic manner. They began dancing with expressive arm movements, and over-the-top choreography. Not surprisingly, it caught on quickly, especially in LA.

Originally, this new and unique style of dance was called ‘punking’. This is because the word ‘punk’ was a slur used against gay men during the 1970s. The dance style, popularised by gay men, was their way of turning a negative into a positive, and taking back control.

Hollywood Influences

Punking, or Waacking as it later became known, took a lot of inspiration from Hollywood glamour icons during the 1950s and 60s, such as Greta Garbo and Marilyn Monroe, with a light dusting of masculine energy inspired by superhero comic books and martial arts movies made popular in the 1970s by martial artists such as Bruce Lee and the up-and-coming Chuck Norris.

Here, largely dancing to disco, soul, and funk music, dancers would flail their arms in time to the music. In fact, it was this unique form of movement that helped ‘Punking’ to become known as Waacking.

The dance got its name from the onomatopoeia ‘whack’, which was a reference to the sound effects and visuals in comic books such as ‘pow’ and ‘whack’ when a hero such as Batman would strike the villains. Rather than striking a comic book bad guy however, the dancers would instead strike the air in sync with the beat from the music.

Rise, Fall, and Rise Again

With disco, soul, and funk music all proving to be driving forces behind this highly expressive form of dance, more and more of LA’s gay clubs began playing disco music and actively encouraging Waacking. Disco was the genre of choice as it was favoured by those in the gay community.

Waacking wasn’t just about the dancing, it was about the lyrics too. Disco was very much about uplifting, having fun, and forgetting your troubles. For QPOC (Queer People of Colour) and those in the gay community in general, it allowed them to be their true selves, rather than having to “mask” in the outside world and pretend to be somebody that they weren’t.

For the next decade, Waacking grew and grew in terms of popularity, before it began to quieten down in the early 80s. Disco music was less in favour, and the 80s was more about “masculine energy”. Suddenly, everybody wanted to be a jacked, musclebound action hero or a rock star. Then of course, there was the AIDS epidemic, which really stigmatised the gay community.

Gradually, Waacking fizzled out for several decades, until a resurgence in the early 2000s. By the 2000s, music, and society in general, was more progressive and more accepting. Waacking was back, and back with a bang!

Of course, when it made a comeback, it came back with a modern twist. Waacking battles, as they were known, were all the rage in nightclubs and gay clubs across America and different parts of the world. Waacking battles were similar to rap battles and hip hop dance offs. These were purely a way for dancers to have fun, to showcase their skills, to embrace their sexuality, and add a competitive element to the dance.

Today, Waacking is every bit as popular as it once was, with the added bonus of being far more accepted in different cultures, different parts of the world, and amongst different demographics. Not only is it accepted, but it is encouraged. Waacking is very physical and is a great form of exercise. It also promotes coordination and flexibility, and is a great way to socialise.

How is Waacking Characterised?

So, now that we’ve explored the origins and brief history behind Waacking, all that’s left is to learn more about the dance moves themselves.

Waacking is energetic, expressive, and largely improvised. Because of this, it is characterised by rapid arm movements, dramatic poses, high kicks, shoulder rolls, smouldering intensity, fast and precise footwork, straight backs, and overly dramatic and exaggerated poses.

In truth, there is no right or wrong way to Waack, as long as you let free, live in the moment, and have fun, that’s all that truly matters.