China's hip-hop dance craze
From CNN Correspondent Jaime Florcruz
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Hip-hop culture is catching on with Chinese youth.
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BEIJING, China (CNN) -- In a rented hall in Beijing, a group of teenagers are taking turns to display their dance moves. Some are doing handstands along to those familiar western hip-hop beats.
The music, and the gravity defying moves are also defying Chinese conventions.
China's Generation-Y is seeking self-fulfillment and finding it in of all things, hip-hop.
These teenagers are drawn to hip-hop not just by its music and fashion, but also by the free spirit it represents.
Lan Haishan is one of the dancers practicing his moves in the hall.
"It's about freedom... think what you want to think and do what you want to do," he says.
Politics is passe for these kids. Their ideas are influenced by rock 'n' roll, MTV and sports.
Xie Jun is 17 and he gave up ballet for hip-hop moves.
"When I first saw Michael Jackson dance on TV, I was totally drawn into it."
But this is hip-hop with a Chinese touch. The dancers say they're combining Shaolin Kung fu movements with those of break dancing. And they say the result is great.
But these youths aren't just having fun. Their group performs professionally, and even has a manager.
"Kids love hip hop, many of them are good at it, and we've got a huge market. With all these elements, I'm helping the kids make a living, " says manager Jian Wei.
Their manager says he is doing Chinese society a favor.
"Without this group or my mentoring, they probably would have become street kids or troublemakers," says Jian. "They are the rebellious types."
But hip-hop dancing is not just for young rebels. Beijing even has crash course for the "older generation" or college students, who pay $19 each to pick up the basics.
"Its the energy and liveliness that I like," says one college freshman.
But these hip-hop wannabes have modest goals.
"I just want to learn one or two cool moves." Says one college sophomore.
" I'd be happy if I could do a handstand or something like that."
All it takes is practice, money and the guts to defy Chinese conventions.
