Image via Complex Original
In the dance community, YouTube has been a point of contention. The OGs didn't have the Internet to promote themselves when they were trying to come up, and had to rely solely on the grind to get recognition. The new school dancers, who grew up with YouTube for the better part of the last decade, have used it as the cornerstone of their marketing. Now, it's easy to watch clips all day and learn routines from all over the world — but the downside is the Internet's thirst for instant gratification, which the craft of dancing has had to adapt to.
Either way, having YouTube as a tool for dance should be looked at as a gift. Regardless of how you feel about it, peep the 10 Illest Dance Videos on YouTube Right Now. #Twerk it out in the comments.
Diane Cho is a writer based in New York City who loves to eat, sleep and dance. Follow her on Twitter.
Ian Eastwood "Sweatpants" By Childish Gambino (2014)
Ian Eastwood is the king of concept videos (the journalism equivalent to thinkpieces). His YouTube account spans to before he hit puberty, freestyling at Monsters to his first concept video that featured a young Elysandra Quiñones. In his latest video, Ian and the boys of Mos Wanted Crew hit the baseball field for a quick game and some dancing.
Lyle Beniga & Devin Jamieson "Trophies" By Drake (2014)
It's always exciting to see a BENIGA X JAMIESON collaboration. These guys are industry veterans who have set a whole new precedent for the younger generation. With dancing credits that include Justin Timberlake, Usher, and Michael Jackson, these two have much to celebrate.
Neil Schwartz "Numb" By Cassie f/ Rick Ross (2014)
One of the downsides to only watching YouTube videos and not experiencing dance live is that there's no way to feel the energy through a screen. Neil Schwartz is a prominent figure in the New York City dance community. He's well known for his gift as an educator. Critiques from him in class will go a long way. Here's a peek into one of the most sought after dance classes at the prestige Broadway Dance Center.
Keone & Mariel Madrid "Latch" By Disclosure f/ Sam Smith (2014)
Keone and Mariel Madrid are YouTube's favorite dancing couple. With a joint account, these love birds have gone viral, a lot. In addition to leading an all-star dance team called the Choreo Cookies, who are based in San Diego, the Madrids have traveled the world and the world wide web spreading positivity and insanely intricate dance routines.
CJ Salvatore & WilldaBeast Adams "Grind On Me" By Pretty Ricky (2014)
Dance bad boys CJ Salvator and WilldaBeast Adams have blessed us with a delicious collaboration. Following up their "Greatest TWERK of All Time" video that hit over a million views, "Grind On Me" has made waves as a solid second installment.
Diana Matos & Valentine Norton "Worst Behavior" By Drake (2014)
Once this video dropped, the underground scene E-RUP-TED. I could probably go further saying the reason why YouTube was invented was to give these two dance giants some shine to the masses. Watch Diana Matos and Valentine Norton shut sh*t down to Drake's "Worst Behavior." With so many videos and combinations that look identical in choreography and style, it's refreshing to see creativity at it's highest, executed by the best of the best.
Mike Song & Funky Lia "MTI (TWRK Remix)" By Koreless (2014)
Kaba Modern alumnus Mike Song and Funky Lia Kim hit us with a spontaneous collaboration entitled, "First Meeting." At the end of the video, Kim, who lives in Korea, talks about how she watched Song, from California, on YouTube before he came to Korea. Once he landed overseas, the two linked up and the rest was YouTube history.
The skill level in this video is off the charts. This collaboration just goes to show how dope dancers can connect through the web to give us viewers some crazy sh*t to watch. Amazing.
Boyboi "Karate Chop" By Future (2014)
People don't usually associate rapper Future with tight dance spanx and heels, but BoyBoi does. Hailing from the Bronx, Jose Tena, aka "BoyBoi" takes your favorite songs and douses them in his own flavor.
YouTube gives you the chance to see the hottest tracks interpreted in different ways. BoyBoi keeps it relevant but also uniquely his own.
Galen Hooks & Jillian Meyers "So Fresh and So Clean" By Outkast (2014)
Dance KINGS Galen Hooks and Jillian Meyers like to have fun in their classes. Normally, class consists of a tiny bit of learning choreography and a lot of getting into character to put on a performance. Oozing with the steez of two funky m*thaf*ckas, Hooks and Meyers dress the part to teach class to Outkast's "So Fresh and So Clean."
Koharu Sugawara "Rather Be" By Clean Bandits f/ Jess Glynne (2014)
Dancer Koharu Sugawara dropped her first YouTube video last month to the feel good song, "Rather Be" by Clean Bandits featuring Jess Glynne.
The concept of the video unfolds as Sugawara dances alone in an unknown location. Then as the song picks up, she is joined by different people who dance along side her to the lyrics, "We're a thousand miles from comfort/we have traveled land and sea/But as long as you are with me, there's no place I'd rather be./I would wait forever, exalted in the scene/As long as I am with you, my heart continues to beat."
The concept of Sugawara being in a foreign place but surrounded by other dancers who love and understand what she does pairs seamlessly with the concept of YouTube. You can be home alone in Texas watching a dancer teach class in Brazil and feel like a part of the class, all because of YouTube. As much as the power of the Internet can be abused, it can also be used for inspiration and positivity. It can exist as a community for people from all over the world who have the same hobbies and passions.
Sometimes words can get too technical and stiff. Sugawara explains it better in her heartwarming video that will make you smile and also say, "damnnn."