Molly Ayala
The Electric Slide is a four-wall line dance with a 90-degree turn between each repeat, popularized in the Black community and widely known as a staple at parties, weddings, and other events. The dance was first choreographed in 1976 by Broadway dancer Richard L. Ric Silver to the song Electric Boogie by Bunny Wailer, and later popularized by Marcia Griffiths in 1982 and again in 1989. The Electric Slide has been featured in several films, including The Best Man and The Replacements, and has been used as a form of activism and protest, particularly during the Black Lives Matter movement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Creator | Richard L. "Ric" Silver |
| Creation year | 1976 |
| Creation story | Silver created the dance to the song "Electric Boogie" by Bunny Wailer |
| Dance type | Four-wall line dance |
| Number of steps | 22 (original), 18 (popular variation) |
| Dance style | Grapevines and a series of forward and backward steps |
| Cultural significance | Became a staple of American line dancing in the 1990s, featured in films like "The Best Man" and "The Replacements", and widely known at parties and weddings |
| Connection to Black culture | Rooted in Black culture, featured in Black rom-com "The Best Man", and commonly associated with weddings and events where Black people dance |
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What You'll Learn
The Electric Slide's creation and choreographer
The Electric Slide is a four-wall line dance with a 90-degree turn between each repeat. The dance sequence was first created by Broadway dancer and choreographer Richard L. "Ric" Silver in 1976. Silver created the dance to the upbeat reggae song "Electric Boogie" by Bunny Wailer. The song was written for singer Marcia Griffiths, who went on to popularise the dance with her 1989 remix of the song.
The Electric Slide has its roots in Black culture and has become widely known and accessible. It has been described as a staple dance that continues to be a unifying factor for the Black community. The dance has been featured in several films, including "The Best Man" and "The Replacements", with the former popularising the dance as the "Candy Dance" in the UK.
Silver's original choreography for the Electric Slide consisted of 22 steps, including grapevines and a series of forward and backward steps. However, the last four beats of the routine were often left out, and the dance became more commonly known as an 18-step sequence. Silver tried to enforce his copyright over the dance, sending takedown notices to YouTube users who posted videos of the 18-step variation. Despite this, it was the 18-step version that gained widespread popularity and was named the top dance in the world by Linedancer Magazine for ten consecutive years.
The Electric Slide has been adopted by the Black Lives Matter movement as a form of protest and activism. The dance brings people together and allows them to express themselves and feel empowered. It has become a common sight at protests and has been shared widely on social media, showcasing its enduring popularity and cultural significance.
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The Electric Slide's steps and choreography
The Electric Slide is a four-wall line dance with a 90-degree turn between each repeat. The dance has its roots in Black culture and is widely known in the Black community. It is often performed at weddings, parties, and other social events. The Electric Slide is characterized by its simple, smooth, and easy-to-follow steps, which include sidesteps and step-touches.
The original choreography of the dance was created by choreographer and dancer Richard L. "Ric" Silver in 1976 and set to the song "Electric Boogie" by Bunny Wailer, which was later popularized by Marcia Griffiths in 1982 and again in 1989. Silver's original choreography included 22 steps, with the last move intended to be repeated. However, over time, a variation with 18 steps became more popular.
- Step to the right on the right foot.
- Step left foot behind the right foot.
- Step to the right on the right foot.
- Touch left foot next to the right foot (optional clap) - this is a grapevine step.
- Repeat the grapevine step to the left, stepping with the left foot.
- Step forward on the left foot.
- Touch right foot toe to the left heel (clap).
- Step backward on the right foot.
- Touch left foot toe to the right toe (snap).
- Step forward on the left foot.
- Touch right foot toe to the left heel (clap).
- Step backward on the right foot.
- Touch left foot toe to the right toe (snap).
- Step forward on the left foot, turning 90 degrees to the left.
- Step forward on the right foot.
- Touch left foot toe to the right heel (clap).
- Step backward on the left foot.
- Touch right foot toe to the left toe (snap).
The Electric Slide has become a staple dance in Black culture and continues to be a unifying factor that brings people together on the dance floor.
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The Electric Slide's popularity in Black culture
The Electric Slide is a dance with deep roots in Black culture. The dance was first created in 1976 by Broadway dancer and choreographer Richard L. "Ric" Silver to the song "Electric Boogie" by Bunny Wailer. The song was written for singer Marcia Griffiths, who went on to popularise the dance with her 1989 remix of "Electric Boogie" and its accompanying video showcasing the dance's easy-to-follow moves.
The Electric Slide is a four-wall line dance with a 90-degree turn between each repeat. The basic sequence involves simple sidesteps and step-touches, making it accessible to people of all ages. The dance has become a staple at Black family gatherings, weddings, and other events, bringing people together and fostering a sense of community. It is often called the "Candy Dance" due to its appearance in the 1999 film "The Best Man", where the characters perform the dance to the song "Candy".
The Electric Slide has also been used as a form of activism and protest within the Black community. During the Black Lives Matter protests, the dance was often seen on social media and in the news, with activists adopting the slogan, "If I can't dance, it's not my revolution". The dance brings people together, fostering a sense of unity and collective movement towards a common goal.
Beyond the Electric Slide, line dancing has a rich history in Black culture. According to Thomas F. DeFrantz, a professor of African and African American dance studies, line dancing has its origins in Africa and the Caribbean. During the era of slavery in America, line dancing served as a way for enslaved people to connect spiritually and discover parts of the Underground Railroad. Line dancing was also a significant part of the Harlem Renaissance, as Black culture flourished artistically.
Overall, the Electric Slide holds a special place in Black culture as a fun, inclusive, and unifying dance that has become a staple at gatherings and a powerful tool for activism and community-building.
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The Electric Slide in film and media
The Electric Slide is a dance with a long pedigree, with black roots and widespread branches. The dance sequence was first devised by Broadway dancer Ric Silver in 1976 to the upbeat reggae song "Electric Boogie" by Bunny Wailer. The song was written for singer Marcia Griffiths, who went on to make it a mainstream US success in 1982 and 1989. The dance became popular in the 1990s when it was styled for American line-dancing and got another boost when it was featured in the 1999 black romcom "The Best Man". The Electric Slide has also been associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, with protesters dancing as a form of activism.
The Electric Slide has also been the subject of some controversy. Despite choreographer Silver's attempts to authorize his original 22-step sequence, it is an unauthorized 18-step version that became popular. In 2007, Silver filed DMCA-based takedown notices to YouTube users who posted videos of the 18-step variation. This led to a lawsuit filed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) on behalf of videographer Kyle Machulis, asking the court to protect Machulis's free speech rights in recording a few steps of the dance in a documentary video. The lawsuit was settled in 2007, with Silver agreeing to license the Electric Slide under a Creative Commons noncommercial license.
In addition to its presence in social media and news coverage of protests, the Electric Slide has also made its way into film and media. There is a film titled "Electric Slide" which premiered at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. The film is based on a true story and stars Jim Sturgess as Eddie Dodson, an antique dealer who robs more than 60 banks in 1980s Los Angeles and becomes known as the "Gentleman Bank Robber". However, the film received mostly negative reviews, with critics citing poor production, dull storytelling, and a lack of atmosphere.
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The Electric Slide and line dancing's roots
The Electric Slide is a four-wall line dance with a 90-degree turn between each repeat. The basic sequence, which includes sidesteps and step-touches, is simple and can be styled however the dancer likes. The dance was first created in 1976 by Broadway dancer and choreographer Richard L. "Ric" Silver to the upbeat reggae song "Electric Boogie" by Bunny Wailer. Silver's original choreography included 22 steps, but the dance's widespread popularity is owed to an 18-step variation.
The Electric Slide has its roots in Black culture and has been massively popular at parties and weddings, often called the Candy Dance. It has been featured in several films, including The Best Man and The Replacements, and has been danced to by Black Lives Matter protestors. The dance is so well-known in the Black community that it is considered a staple and a unifying factor to get Black folks on the dance floor.
Line dancing, in general, has a long history in Black culture, stemming from the motherland of Africa and Caribbean countries, according to The Washington Post. In Western civilization, the origin of traditional assembled dancing dates back to 1776 when slavery was prominent in America. Enslaved people used line dancing as a way to connect spiritually and to discover parts of the Underground Railroad. Line dancing was also a sacred part of the Harlem Renaissance era as Black culture evolved artistically.
The Electric Slide is just one of many line dances that have gained popularity in Black America, including "The Booty Call," "Cha Cha Slide," and "Cupid Shuffle." Despite the controversy surrounding its creation year and choreography, the Electric Slide remains a beloved and widely-known dance in the Black community.
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Frequently asked questions
The Electric Slide is a four-wall line dance with a 90-degree turn between each repeat. The basic sequence involves sidesteps and step-touches.
The dance was created by choreographer and dancer Richard L. "Ric" Silver in 1976. Silver created the dance to the song ""Electric Boogie" by Bunny Wailer.
Yes, the Electric Slide has roots in Black culture and is widely known in the Black community. It has been featured in several films with predominantly Black casts, such as "The Best Man" and "The Replacements".
Line dancing has historical significance in the Black community, stemming from the people of the African motherland and Caribbean countries, according to The Washington Post. During the time of slavery in America, line dancing was used by enslaved people as a way to connect spiritually and to discover parts of the Underground Railroad.
