Hustle (dance): Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Hustle is a disco or nightclub partner social dance.

Based on older dances such as the mambo, the Hustle originated in Hispanic communities in New York and Florida in the 1970's. It became an international dance craze in 1975 following Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony's "Hustle". Tipped off by DJ David Todd, McCoy sent his partner Charlie Kipps to the Adam's Apple disco of New York's East Side. McCoy wrote the tune and arrangement while watching a secrectary Kipps had noticed at the disco demonstrate the dance. The forthcoming album was renamed Disco Baby and McCoy was named "Top Instrumental Artist" of 1975. (Jones and Kantonen, 1999)

There are various forms of the Hustle, including the New York Hustle and the Latin Hustle.

California/Los Angeles Hustle/Bus Stop

This is four four time, counted with eight beats:

Three steps backwards beginning with the right foot:

1. Step right foot back
2. Step left foot back
3. Step right foot back
4. Tap left foot to right

Three steps forward beginning on left:

1. Step left foot back
2. Step right foot back
3. Step left foot back
4. Tap right foot to left

Repeat

Grapevine:

1. Step right
2. Step left foot to the right, crossing in front of right foot
3. Step right
4. Tap left against right
5. Step left
6. Step right foot to the left, crossing in front of the left foot
7. Step left
8. Tap left against right

Repeat

Line turn:

1. Tap right forward and swing arms (left forward)
2. Tap right backward, swinging arms in reverse
3. Tap right sideways and open arms
4. Kick right foot in front and pivot left foot 1/4 turn to the left

(Lustgarten, 1978), (Harris, et al, 1998).

And your right foot is ready to start at the beginning, but facing a different direction (90 degrees).

The Latin Hustle is done to music in two or four four time, but is counted in six beats:

1. Tap left
2. Step center
3. Step back right
4. Close left foot to right
5. Step forward right
6. Close left foot to right
7. Bounce with both feet

(Jones and Kantonen, 1999)

Thus you should feel like you are going with the music the first and all odd times through the six count, but as if you were going against the music in the second and all even repetitions. Your steps should still coincide with the beats, but the strong beats in your steps first go with and then against the strong beats of the meter.

Also counted in six and danced to four four:

1. Tap left
2. Touch left to right
3. Tap right
4. Touch right to left
5. Step right (in place)
6. Step left (in place)

The last two steps may be taken in any direction, or in place, and turns are done on counts five and six.

This is slighty more difficult but much more enjoyable:

1. Step right
2. Tap left to right
3. Step left
4. Tap right to left
5. Step left
6. Step right

(Lustgarten, 1978)

The New York Hustle is done by:

• Partners, facing each other, join hands
• The leader steps forward with the left foot, pulling the follower towards oneself
• Then the leader steps forward with the right foot
• On three the leader steps back with the left foot, pushing the follower (gently) away with the hands
• On four the pattern completes with the leader stepping back with the right foot

All this is done in a slight circular motion. The follower's steps are opposite.

(Jones and Kantonen, 1999)

• Jones, Alan and Kantonen, Jussi (1999). Saturday Night Forever: The Story of Disco. Chicago, Illinois: A Cappella Books. ISBN 1556524110.
• Lustgarten, Karen (1978). The Complete Guide to Disco Dancing: The Easy Step-By-Step Way to Learn Today's Top Dances. United States: Warner Books.
• Harris, et al, eds. (1998). Social Dance: From Dance A While. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. ISBN 0205274773.