"Funk Styles" Terminology

In the 90s, Poppin' Pete of the Electric Boogaloos coined "funk styles" as an umbrella term for styles that would be distinguished from hip hop choreography seen in dance studios. The term was often applied to poppin' and lockin', but not bboyin'. In the early 2000s, even Mr. Wiggles' website forum was considered a "funk styles" forum and it's still used on that site today. But while it was popular ten years ago, we've seen "funk styles" used less in recent years in the LA scene. What happened?

Nowadays, it seems like the term has disappeared from inner circles in the Los Angeles poppin' scene. We distinguish between poppin', boogaloo, tutting, waving, robot, animation, etc. But funk styles is rarely used on fliers for local events. Judges at these contests are differentiated as poppin' judges or lockin' judges. At bboy events, the poppin' and lockin' contests are being called for what they are instead of funk style contests. High level poppers are calling themselves poppers not funk stylists.

In the end, terminology is simply used to communicate an idea. We want clarity. But terms can come and go and are only effective when they're needed. Maybe funk styles had its time in our malleable lexicon, but it's now being put to rest by the current new school. The term may still be used in other circles outside of LA's poppin' culture. As styles evolve, we'll need to reevaluate our vocabulary to meet our changing needs.