Many techniques were copied from this man. He was bad ass. He is one of the forefathers who influenced what hip hop/dance has become today. I hope you are carrying on his legacy.
Earl "Snakehips" Tucker (1905-1937) was an American dancer and entertainer. Also known as the "Human Boa Constrictor", he acquired the nickname "snakehips" via the dance he popularized in Harlem in the 1920s called the "snakehips" Riding this wave of popularity, in 1930 he appeared in Benny Rubin's 16-minute short film Crazy House, a comedic introduction to residents at the fictitious "Lame Brain Sanitarium". Tucker's 2-minute dance number, performed in a shiny white shirt and shiny, baggy gold pants, displays his amazing dance innovations, his style a precursor to modern street and stage dance. His name appears in the opening credits only as "Snake Hips". In 1935
Greetings & Gratitude. This is the interpretation of dancing like he does not have any Bones. Pure Excellence, most teachers know what I mean. Outstanding body work.
Ya'll boys don't know nothing bout that snake hips Tucker (smile)!!! If you ever seen the tv show Sandford & Son you'll occasionally see Fred imitate Snake Hips when he does he lil dance like he's on a converter belt(lol)
I came to this video after reading about Ella Fitzgerald in Wikipedia and then clicking on related items in her Wiki entry. I’m partway through the EF documentary on Netflix. Very flexible dancer! I’m impressed.
@@VoltairesRevenge know your history it is in our genes that’s why we got rhythm unless you know your history I am a panther been one all my life I have been to Johannesburg to visit I learn a lot once there the dances that the old people us to do came from Africa and changed some when it got to the United States have a good night Don’t text back unless you know your history breaking stomping dancing shaking dancing and you call it twerking we called it the boody green in the 60 need some more education
the move at 0.07 usher does this and i learn how to do it from him but to think this move came from the 1930's is amazing wow this guy truly was an innovator
I jus learned something new today....Earl "snake hip" tucker was like the originator of the "wave" as we call it today. Thts really cool to learn about these kind of things...great video....and jus look at how much the dance has evolved from this. Great Video
Possibly so, but this kind of movement traces itself back to a variety of West African dances which further developed in the Southern states especially Louisiana. Congo Square was famous for movement in this vein. There is little information where Tucker gained his particular style what influences he drew from.
Could you name the dances? Also, could you refer me to books, films, or videos that exhibit similar African dances from which Tucker's style possibly derives? It would be immensely appreciated.
YES!! This inspired all the jazz and sharcroper performers Elvis LOVED as alittle boy! Add that and the face that her was Pentecostal in a mixed race church the 1935-1955. I was raised in one in the 1980's in Louisiana! Everyone jumps, hollers, prays, anointing & faint! They dance and praise, worship & speak in tongues! He tells a story of them singing and worshiping in the cotton fields. He had rode on his mom's cotton sack from a newborn until she got his father released when he was 4. They all lived and worked together & went to church every evening until 11pm!!! Then moving to Memphis and working on Beal street. He played in clubs and hung around all the clubs with all the young greats! BB King, Howling Wolf, little Richard, Chuck Berry, The Prisonaires, Fats Domino, Big Mama Thorpe they were all growing up at the same time absorbing all that inspiration. Some people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers, and some people sway back and forth. I just sorta do 'em all together, I guess. Elvis Presley
It's Really fascinating and fantastic that his talent and dance skills are not just forgotten but still kept alive for future generations of dancers to enjoy thank you very much for sharing!
Also known as the "Human Boa Constrictor", he acquired the nickname "snakehips" via the dance he popularized in Harlem in the 1920s called the "snakehips". He built his reputation by exhibiting his odd style of dance, which involved a great deal of hip motion. Tucker would make it appear that he was as flexible as a snake, and eventually, the dance became his calling card. He became popular enough to eventually perform at Connie's Inn and the Cotton Club. The snakehips dates back to southern plantations before emancipation.
Actually it was 7 years after. This was from the MGM short subject film Crazy House made in 1930. Very amazing watching him move. This was also just before censorship of films by the Motion Picture Production Code "Hays Code". This could have been considered erotic then but by the 1950's Elvis had to be filmed from the waist up. and now today anything goes. Oh how times have changed over the decades.
@ecclairmayo4153 FOR TV Elvis had to be filmed from the waist up, but for movies they filmed his entire body. (Also the Hayes Code didn’t apply to television… only movies.) .
Taylor Pierce (see Urban Dance Legends) of the Dragon House crew does a similar move---Snake Hips shows that the old adage "There's nothing new under the sun " to be true once again.
@soulmziklova You are absolutely correct.Sorry if i seemed angry about the Elvis thing,but my father who was a Jazz saxophonist from 1938-1990 always told us about the (ones) that stole music and dancing from those that could really produce it.He always said the Beatles ruined music in America,and rock was born because they did not understand how to feel the music,.So i definitely know what i'm saying because he spent over fifty years playing real music.Thank you for commenting.
This was my grandfather!!!! WOW! So gladto see his art still appreciated.
Your grandfather was superlative.
Many techniques were copied from this man. He was bad ass. He is one of the forefathers who influenced what hip hop/dance has become today. I hope you are carrying on his legacy.
@@yorkymom TY The legacy is a family of artists and amazing flexibility. Half are dancers. Family from mom's half sister are actors and musicians.
That's so cool!
Oh my gosh how lucky you are!!! I love your grandfather's work :))
All these modern dancers out there now realizing, "Wait, you mean I wasn't the first to do this?!?"
Yup. Thats why these clips are beginning to show up.
Hilarious facts!
So what about the dancers before him? Life didn’t start with film
@@Palletknifepaint Take your 'what-about-isms' elsewhere, kiddo.
@@percyvolnar8010 why? Can’t handle being shown up as an ignoramous?
this is why they believe we are magical....cause we are!!!
Black people are a phenomenal people. We can't help but emulate them in music, song and dance.
We are more than just.
Fluid, sensual, original...just think, before the days of film, talent was passed on by word of mouth.
Glad to see Earl’s talent is being appreciated
Love this! The pre-cursor to James Brown, Michael Jackson, break-dancing, etc. 🕺🏾
What a smooth criminal 🕺🏽
Nothing is new. They have done it all back in the day. Wow ❤
The man defies gravity and has an almost supernatural grace. So glad we have film of him.
He was amazing, way ahead of his time!
He moves like he's on roller skates. Amazing bow down!!
Yeah like he is floating or gliding. Amazing he was so limber.
This man is magnificent in his move an style love his facial expressions these young guys can't top this ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Earl "Snakehips" Tucker (1905-1937) was an American dancer and entertainer. Also known as the "Human Boa Constrictor", he acquired the nickname "snakehips" via the dance he popularized in Harlem in the 1920s called the "snakehips"
Riding this wave of popularity, in 1930 he appeared in Benny Rubin's 16-minute short film Crazy House, a comedic introduction to residents at the fictitious "Lame Brain Sanitarium". Tucker's 2-minute dance number, performed in a shiny white shirt and shiny, baggy gold pants, displays his amazing dance innovations, his style a precursor to modern street and stage dance. His name appears in the opening credits only as "Snake Hips". In 1935
This short was made up of clips cut from the abandoned MGM musical revue "March of Time", and this was likely from the "future" segment.
Thank you for your history info on Earl Tucker! I never knew about this man! He was awesome and amazing! 😃👏👏👏
What happened he died so young???
This guy was so original. Most of this stuff would still be fresh these days, lol
Agreed!
look up "Dave elsewhere"
NOW I know why they called him Snake Hips! Also, you can see how he influenced Astair and even Fosse!
This clip looks far after Astair.
And the high kick of Michael Jackson
Hell, I do that routine every morning, long about 3:30 A.M., as I try to make it to the bathroom without a mishap! Most times I make it.
😄😄
😂😂😂😂❤
HYSTERICAL! I'll have to try that. Sometimes, I just make by a hair! 😂
Oh my goodness too funny😂😂😂😂
😂😅
It's like a dancing contortionist. And I love that there are planets painted on the wall behind him. It just adds to the delightful weirdness.
I can see the beginnings of James Brown, hip hop, and break dancing all in this one dance. Wow!
Greetings & Gratitude. This is the interpretation of dancing like he does not have any Bones. Pure Excellence, most teachers know what I mean. Outstanding body work.
Wow. I've never seen any Earl 'Snake Hips' footage before. This is amazing.
Man, that's gotta be hell on his knees!
You could literally play any kind of music over this & it would still work.
You know this guy was the undisputed pound-for-pound strongest handshake champion.
he's above all time, trends, rhythms, steps and all, so fresh of the mothership, upgraded to the MAX!
Fred astire couldn't touch this.
Yeah that's right THIS IS YO DADDY ELVIS!!!
Ya'll boys
don't know nothing bout that snake hips Tucker
(smile)!!! If you ever seen the tv show
Sandford & Son you'll occasionally see Fred
imitate Snake Hips when he does he lil dance
like he's on a converter belt(lol)
Those dance moves are so smooth
That was amazing. A little bit of boogaloo was in his moves. I hope to find more of Earls dance clips.
I came to this video after reading about Ella Fitzgerald in Wikipedia and then clicking on related items in her Wiki entry. I’m partway through the EF documentary on Netflix.
Very flexible dancer! I’m impressed.
I bet Earl was a beast in the sheets 👀🐍
Kikyo Tokyo he died of syphilis. Yeah he was loving love.
@Anne Jackson Actually stabbed to death. But yes killed for messing with another man's woman.
This guy says he was shot. I myself take no position. www.ministryofmanipulation.com/blog/earl-snakehips-tucker/
Yea he died at 32
@@combustible420So did several of your "founding fathers."
His moves may not be impressive today, but back then his moves were awesome! Rest in peace, Earl "Snakehips" Tucker.
His moves are still relevant and widely used today! Only difference is not many, if any, have the contort in the knees. 😍
Oww... my aching knees and hips 😢
Mesmerizing!
He must be double-jointed on the knees and hips! He's way ahead of his time and I hope he got the proper recognition back then.
All these dances come from old school and a lot of people don’t know that break dancing came from Africa
Wrong!
@@VoltairesRevenge know your history it is in our genes that’s why we got rhythm unless you know your history I am a panther been one all my life I have been to Johannesburg to visit I learn a lot once there the dances that the old people us to do came from Africa and changed some when it got to the United States have a good night Don’t text back unless you know your history breaking stomping dancing shaking dancing and you call it twerking we called it the boody green in the 60 need some more education
That's the boogaloo rolls right there :)
That's right! Hip hop is a continuation and culmination of African American music and dance culture. There's a whole lot more too!
Love it!!! ❤❤❤❤
the move at 0.07 usher does this and i learn how to do it from him but to think this move came from the 1930's is amazing wow this guy truly was an innovator
Man, if he was around today ! He would be killing some fools !
The original boogaloo!!!
i love this kind of music.
I jus learned something new today....Earl "snake hip" tucker was like the originator of the "wave" as we call it today. Thts really cool to learn about these kind of things...great video....and jus look at how much the dance has evolved from this. Great Video
Possibly so, but this kind of movement traces itself back to a variety of West African dances which further developed in the Southern states especially Louisiana. Congo Square was famous for movement in this vein.
There is little information where Tucker gained his particular style what influences he drew from.
Could you name the dances? Also, could you refer me to books, films, or videos that exhibit similar African dances from which Tucker's style possibly derives? It would be immensely appreciated.
Read Drums And Shadows WPA
More reasons why I love West Africa, Central Africa, and the Southern States of the USA
YES!! This inspired all the jazz and sharcroper performers Elvis LOVED as alittle boy! Add that and the face that her was Pentecostal in a mixed race church the 1935-1955. I was raised in one in the 1980's in Louisiana! Everyone jumps, hollers, prays, anointing & faint! They dance and praise, worship & speak in tongues! He tells a story of them singing and worshiping in the cotton fields. He had rode on his mom's cotton sack from a newborn until she got his father released when he was 4. They all lived and worked together & went to church every evening until 11pm!!!
Then moving to Memphis and working on Beal street. He played in clubs and hung around all the clubs with all the young greats! BB King, Howling Wolf, little Richard, Chuck Berry, The Prisonaires, Fats Domino, Big Mama Thorpe they were all growing up at the same time absorbing all that inspiration.
Some people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers, and some people sway back and forth. I just sorta do 'em all together, I guess.
Elvis Presley
@@camaradiop3731 Zaouli, if you only watch the feet. They seem to float at times. TH-cam has vids.
It's Really fascinating and fantastic that his talent and dance skills are not just forgotten but still kept alive for future generations of dancers to enjoy thank you very much for sharing!
Also known as the "Human Boa Constrictor", he acquired the nickname "snakehips" via the dance he popularized in Harlem in the 1920s called the "snakehips".
He built his reputation by exhibiting his odd style of dance, which involved a great deal of hip motion. Tucker would make it appear that he was as flexible as a snake, and eventually, the dance became his calling card. He became popular enough to eventually perform at Connie's Inn and the Cotton Club. The snakehips dates back to southern plantations before emancipation.
Technically before that since it combined dances from Europe and sub Sahara
Even though it's frm so so long ago, absolute quality. Look at dat guy move
Man, Tucker had the moves.
I'm more impressed that he was able to find a rhythm to this music
Actually it was 7 years after. This was from the MGM short subject film Crazy House made in 1930. Very amazing watching him move. This was also just before censorship of films by the Motion Picture Production Code "Hays Code". This could have been considered erotic then but by the 1950's Elvis had to be filmed from the waist up. and now today anything goes. Oh how times have changed over the decades.
so ... colorized?
Interesting, his clothing style doenst match that time period
@@OutYourBackDoor No, original Two Color Technicolor process
@ecclairmayo4153 FOR TV Elvis had to be filmed from the waist up, but for movies they filmed his entire body. (Also the Hayes Code didn’t apply to television… only movies.)
.
He's made of rubber.
Incredible history!!!
I swear when he first started I thought he was going to start pop'locking. even seemed like a beat was gonna drop. lol
Hey, great dancer.😊
I just tried watching this video with Michael Jackson's "Scream" instead of the audio and I have never regretted anything less in my life.
I just tried it and it was a marvel
WOW!
DUDE YES!!! what gave you the idea to do that!?
Snake hips is appropriate 😉😄
Yep, the FBA talent is apparent and unmatched!!!
Amazing and delightful. What a talent.
Гіпермайстерне володіння своїм тілом!❤👍👍👍🤩
Fantatsic!! It's amazing how someone can move like that.
I love my people 🖤
1:30 - 1:37 blew my mind, especially for the time period this was in!
Taylor Pierce (see Urban Dance Legends) of the Dragon House crew does a similar move---Snake Hips shows that the old adage "There's nothing new under the sun " to be true once again.
AWESOME!
This guy is the OG
This proves that black people are the best dancers. They can do things with their bodies that no one else can.
my favor!!! my legend...
Wow! I love this!
That is astounding!
WOW!!!
I love this dance
I’ll bet dude had ALL the snow minks coming to the yard 😎
awesome!!
Iconic!
Fantastic!
This clip is from the 16 minute long 1930 movie short "Crazy House". Turner Classic Movies trimmed it down to 12 minutes.
wow, the first mr.wave....compared to the 80's mr.wave from the NYC Breakers...
Rip snakehips... You will be missed
wow thats just amazing why couldnt i live this time
Wow! Just wow …
Smooth
killin the beat
@LadyLemonBar This is from the MGM short "Crazy House" from 1930. You can see it on TCM or get it via the Warner Archives Musical Shorts box set.
HE WAS A SICKKKKKKK DANCER
This was proto popping.
DAMN he could dance like nobody else!
Two dancers named"snakehips"within one hour.One named "Johnson",and one named "Tucker"
HOW IN THE HELL DID I GET HERE??
I WAS LOOKIN FOR BILL SUPERFOOT WALLACE😂😂
@soulmziklova You are absolutely correct.Sorry if i seemed angry about the Elvis thing,but my father who was a Jazz saxophonist from 1938-1990 always told us about the (ones) that stole music and dancing from those that could really produce it.He always said the Beatles ruined music in America,and rock was born because they did not understand how to feel the music,.So i definitely know what i'm saying because he spent over fifty years playing real music.Thank you for commenting.
Damn this is so cool!
This clip is from a 1930 MGM Technicolor short called Crazy House, love that 2 stripe Technicolor early process.
think the color is from the 30s? or was colorized much later?
@@OutYourBackDoor Original color
Queen
Amazing how flexible this gentleman was
wow, my resource said this waz one of the earliest HipHop dance. Cool:DD!!
SMOOTH!!!!!!
snakiing like a lad
Legend
Yep, ain't nothing new under the sun, it has all been done before!. Where you think you got it from
Smooth as ice
Man, this cat don't need no strings. He's floatin in mid-air.