Crip Walk

The Crip Walk, also known as the C-Walk, is a dance move that was created in the 1970s by first generation Crip members as a method of expression and communication, and has since spread worldwide without its linguistic aspects.

Overview

The dance is primarily an act of performing quick and intricate footwork. The rivalry between the Crips and the Bloods spilled over into the world of entertainment, with the adoption of the gang dance by various rappers on the West Coast of the United States, who gave it its name, the Crip Walk. This dance involves the movement of one's feet, often to the spelling of C-R-I-P. It was used by Crips at parties to display affiliation, particularly vis-a-vis rival gang the Bloods. MTV declined to broadcast any music videos that contained the Crip Walk.

Examples

• Media pundits accused tennis player Serena Williams of intentionally performing the walk at the 2012 Summer Olympic tennis tournament after defeating Maria Sharapova in the gold-medal match at Centre Court, Wimbledon, although she denied it: "it was just a dance. I didn't know that's what it was called."
• The Super Bowl LVI halftime show in 2022 had a synchronized Crip Walk led by Snoop Dogg.
• The Super Bowl LIX halftime show in 2025 headlined by Kendrick Lamar featured Serena Williams briefly doing the Crip Walk as a reference to the media attacks on her in 2012.

Documentary

American rapper CJ Mac released a documentary focused on the beginnings of Crip Walk and its rise in popularity entitled "Cwalk: It's a Way of Livin'". It features rappers such as Snoop Dogg, WC and Ice-T along with original members of the Crips.

See also

• Gangsta Walking

References

Further reading

• Erika Hayasaki (June 4, 2002). "Some Principals Ban Dance With Gang Ties". Los Angeles Times.
• Jacob Thompson (May 15, 2007). "how to cwalk the v move". Dance Origin.