Electric Boogaloo: A Surprising Sequel Title Explained

why is the sequel called electric boogaloo

The phrase Electric Boogaloo is often used in the context of sequel culture in the entertainment industry, specifically for sequels that are perceived to be of inferior quality and unnecessary. The phrase originates from the 1984 film Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo, which was released just seven to nine months after the original film, Breakin'. The film was poorly received by critics, who saw it as a cash grab that disregarded the history and culture of the actual dance style of electric boogaloo. Since then, the phrase has entered popular culture as a nickname for any sequel deemed to be of low quality and has even become an internet meme.

Characteristics Values
Origin of the phrase The 1984 film Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
Genre of the film Breakdancing musical
Reason for the phrase becoming popular Mockery of pointless sequels
Use in popular culture Referenced in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Minus the Bear's song "Get Me Naked 2: Electric Boogaloo", and the MST3K fan convention "Conventio-Con Expo-Fest-A-Rama 2: Electric Bugaloo"

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The origins of the phrase 'Electric Boogaloo'

The phrase "Electric Boogaloo" is typically appended to the title of a sequel to mock its poor quality and cash-grab nature. The phrase originated from the 1984 film Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo, a dance movie that was released just seven to nine months after its predecessor, Breakin'. The film was criticised for disregarding the history and culture of the actual dance style "electric boogaloo", which arose from funk and hip-hop styles in the 1970s and was popularised by the street dance team The Electric Boogaloos.

The term "Electric Boogaloo" quickly caught on to describe oddly-named sequels, especially those perceived to have unwieldy subtitles, inferior quality, and no real reason for existing. The phrase has been used in various contexts, including music, television, film, literature, video games, politics, and internet memes.

In music, the Christian ska band Five Iron Frenzy titled their fourth studio album Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo, despite it being their second album. Indie rock band Minus the Bear also used the phrase in the title of a song on their first album, Highly Refined Pirates.

In television and film, the second MST3K fan convention was called "Conventio-Con Expo-Fest-A-Rama 2: Electric Bugaloo" [sic]. The phrase has also been referenced in the cartoon Calvin & Hobbes: The Series, where the in-universe sequel to The Incredible Hulk (2008) is subtitled "Electric Boogaloo". In the film Kicking and Screaming, Grover's promiscuous partners after a breakup are collectively called "Jane 2: Electric Boogaloo".

In literature and video games, the Pokémon franchise has used the phrase in both its graphic novel series and video games. The third volume of the Pokémon graphic novel series is known in English as Pokémon: Electric Pikachu Boogaloo. In the Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 video games, one of the old scripts found in the dressing room of Pokéstar Studios is titled Galvantula's Travels 2: Eelektrik Boogaloo.

In politics, right-wing activists in the United States have used the term "boogaloo" as a dog whistle to describe a desired rebellion against the government, implying a "sequel" to the first American Revolution.

As an internet meme, the phrase has been used on various websites, including Urban Dictionary, Reddit, YouTube, TV Tropes, and Know Your Meme. It has also been the subject of a blog post on the Oxford University Press, which examined the titling structure as a snowclone used to denote any sequel production.

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'Electric Boogaloo' as a dance style

Electric Boogaloo is a dance style that was popularised by the street dance crew, the Electric Boogaloos, in the 1970s. The crew was founded by Boogaloo Sam in Fresno, California, in 1977, with other original members including Popin' Pete (Boogaloo Sam's brother), Robot Dane, Puppet Boozer, Creeping Sidney, and Scarecrow Scally. The name "Boogaloo" was inspired by a song called "Do a Boogaloo" by James Brown, which was also adapted as a Boogaloo street dance from Oakland, California.

Boogaloo Sam created a unique set of movements that evolved into the styles known as popping and boogaloo. The Electric Boogaloos are known for their signature style, which has inspired new genres such as creeping and tutting. The group has had a significant influence on the dance world, with their innovative and rhythmic approach to locking, popping, and funk culture.

The Electric Boogaloo dance style itself is characterised by a combination of different street dance styles. It involves various moves and techniques, such as the "Fresno" or "The Slot," where the dancer moves side-to-side, hitting each turn with the corresponding leg and arm. Another technique involves creating the illusion of unnatural body joints by moving and twisting various body parts in sequence while keeping the non-twisting parts still. This results in a resemblance to a Rubik's Cube in motion or a clay figure being modelled.

The Electric Boogaloos have received widespread recognition for their contributions to the dance world. In 2012, they were honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 13th-anniversary show of The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball, presented by choreographer and dancer Toni Basil. The group has influenced many notable dancers, including Bruno 'Pop N Taco' Falcon, who shared the stage with the crew on multiple occasions.

The Electric Boogaloo dance style has left a lasting impact, with members of the Electric Boogaloos, such as Popin' Pete, Boogaloo Sam, and Skeeter Rabbit, becoming pioneers and innovators in the dance world. Their influence extends to working with and influencing celebrities such as Michael Jackson and Chris Brown. The Electric Boogaloo dance style continues to be a source of inspiration and creativity for dancers and choreographers worldwide.

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The film Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo

The phrase "Electric Boogaloo" in the title refers to a funk-oriented dance style of the same name. The term "Electric Boogaloo" has since entered popular culture as a nickname for an archetypal sequel, especially for sequels perceived to be of inferior quality and to have no real reason for existing. This was certainly the case for Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo, which was criticised as a bizarre production and a cash grab that disregarded the history and culture of the dance style it referenced.

The term "Electric Boogaloo" has been used in various contexts, including other film and TV sequels, album titles, and even political movements. For example, the sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia featured an episode titled "Chardee MacDennis 2: Electric Boogaloo", which was a follow-up to an earlier episode. In addition, the band Five Iron Frenzy titled their fourth album "Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo", parodying the idea of a sequel album.

The use of "Electric Boogaloo" as a subtitle for an unwanted or unnecessary sequel has become so common that it has even inspired an Internet meme. As a result, the title Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo has become iconic, with the film itself serving as a tongue-in-cheek example of sequel culture in the entertainment industry.

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The use of 'Electric Boogaloo' in popular culture

The term "Electric Boogaloo" has become a part of popular culture, often used to refer to an unwanted or unnecessary sequel, especially one perceived to have unwieldy subtitles, inferior quality, and no real reason for existing. The phrase is inspired by the 1984 film Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo, which was released just seven to nine months after the original film, Breakin', and was considered a bizarre production and a cash grab.

The use of "Electric Boogaloo" as a humorous subtitle for an unwanted sequel has extended beyond the film industry and into other forms of media and real-life events. For example, the 1993 re-release of the album Shekkie by the band Dig Circus was titled "Shekkie II: Electric Boogaloo". The rock band Five Iron Frenzy titled their fourth album "Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo", and the mathgrind band The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza titled their sophomore album "Danza II: Electric Boogaloo". In the sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the season 11 episode "Chardee MacDennis 2: Electric Boogaloo" is a follow-up to the season 7 episode "Chardee MacDennis".

The phrase has also been used more broadly to characterise undesirable returns or reunions in real life. For instance, if a couple breaks up and then gets back together, their reunion might be jokingly referred to as "Part II: Electric Boogaloo". In the 2000s, the phrase became an internet meme, with people using it to refer to metaphorical "sequels" in real life, such as a second tropical storm, the revival of a disliked political candidate, or a rematch between rival sports teams.

The term "boogaloo" itself has roots in Latin American and Southern music culture, dating back to the 1950s and 1960s. It was a popular dance and music style, with R&B legend James Brown notably performing the boogaloo. The electric boogaloo is an outgrowth of this dance style, a form of break dancing that gained popularity in the 1970s through groups like the Harlem Pop Lockers and a dance group called Electric Boogaloo.

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'Electric Boogaloo' as a meme

The phrase "Electric Boogaloo" is a reference to the 1984 film "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo", which was poorly received by critics. The term refers to a type of dance move that arose from funk and hip-hop styles in the 1970s and was popularized by the street dance team "The Electric Boogaloos". The film's title has since entered the popular culture lexicon as a snowclone nickname to mock a sequel or follow-up to an original work, often implying that it is of poor quality or ridiculous.

The usage of "Electric Boogaloo" as a meme can be traced back to online platforms like Reddit, where users would append the phrase to the title of a sequel TV or film production to ridicule its perceived low quality. This trend has also been observed on YouTube, with over 100,000 search results for the phrase as of March 2013. The Huffington Post and the New York Times are among the news outlets that have used the term in their articles, contributing to its spread and recognition.

Beyond its online origins, "Electric Boogaloo" has made its way into various aspects of popular culture. For instance, the 2014 documentary "Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films" further entrenched the phrase in film discourse. Additionally, the sitcom "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" featured an episode titled "Chardee MacDennis 2: Electric Boogaloo," which played on the idea of a sequel.

The phrase has also found its way into music. The rock band Five Iron Frenzy titled their fourth album "Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo," and the song "Get Me Naked 2: Electric Boogaloo" by the band Minus the Bear is another example.

"Electric Boogaloo" has become a ubiquitous part of internet culture, often invoked to ridicule or satirize sequels or follow-ups that are deemed inferior or absurd. Its usage spans various forms of media, from films and television shows to music and online content, showcasing the enduring impact of this once-mocked film subtitle on popular culture.

Frequently asked questions

The phrase "Electric Boogaloo" is appended to the title of a sequel to mock its poor quality.

The phrase "Electric Boogaloo" comes from the 1984 film Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo, which was a poorly received sequel to the film Breakin' that was released just seven months after the original.

"Electric Boogaloo" refers to a type of dance move that arose out of funk and hip-hop styles in the 1970s, popularized by the street dance team The Electric Boogaloos.

The phrase "Electric Boogaloo" is often used in popular culture to denote an archetypal sequel. For example, one might say, "I'm so sick of new Terminator movies that they might as well call the next one Terminator 12: Electric Boogaloo."

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