Videocrux - Hip hop getting popular in France

#Videocrux - Hip hop getting popular in France Hip hop getting popular in France
It's experiencing another revival since its heyday in the 1980s. Tonight, about 10 dancers have come to show off their moves here in a dance hall in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Ouen.Diane, Hip-hop teacher "When you say hip hop, hip is about being a fighter and hop means 'Lets go!' 'Let's do it!' Without any fear - and hop - make the most of what there is and improve yourself."
Hip hop getting popular in France
It's experiencing another revival since its heyday in the 1980s. Tonight, about 10 dancers have come to show off their moves here in a dance hall in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Ouen.Diane, Hip-hop teacher "When you say hip hop, hip is about being a fighter and hop means 'Lets go!' 'Let's do it!' Without any fear - and hop - make the most of what there is and improve yourself."
Hip hop is a medium to enjoy
Madougo, dancer "Hip hop dancing is about using the body to express yourself. It's like being in a trance. Even without any technique you can dance hip hop. It's a thrill."
Hip hop taken in wrong context in Paris
Dancers often get together in public for what they call hip-hop 'happenings' - which doesn't always go down well with some people connecting hip hop with tension and violence in the suburbs. Salim, hip-hop teacher "When I have the opportunity to go and dance in other countries, I see there isn't the same negative history with the government. When we dance in the centre of Paris, at La Defense, for example, it's sometimes misunderstood. The police see it as a challenge and they break up the circle and stop the music. But dancing means music and heat - and that's a sweet thing. It's not a challenge to authority."
French govt. getting lenient towards hip-hop
France, government attitudes are starting to change. The state now recognizes it as an energizing force in run-down neighborhoods. And one of President Sarkozy’s own sons happens to be a hip-hop producer.

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