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
@YourMomSaysHi_Jinx thank you for letting me know. Sad! He must have it for a long time to die of it at such young age. He was fantastic n left a legacy of dance. I'm hoping he didn't suffer much.
Dang. This video was uploaded 16 years ago. Almost at the dawn of UA-cam. And magically it arrives in our feeds now. How blessed this day is. Happy tears and full hearts.
I found a rattle snake on the trail and named it Rattle Tucker. It's a fitting tribute to the man whose dance moves were more agile than any snake could ever hope to be.
I am hypnotised, I had to watch this footage several times!!!!! The precision, Mr. Tucker articulated, gliding to the magic of the music, is captivating!!!!! Sir Tucker, was an extreamly, talented entertainer, with a beautiful, unique style of rythemic moments!!!! This Jem was a gracefyl, GOD gifted, creative artist!!!!!!
nah this guy was an inspiration to the guy that michael copied though for sure. theres another guy that did the moonwalk and a ton of michaels moves before michael. he was even snake themed. that guy definitely was inspired by this guy
@@humanbean3 It wasn't just the moonwalk...it's the multiple modes of movements and movement quality. Dancers are performance artists. They have thousands of inspirations, ostensibly, through their instructors ad that which they see in mainstream media, other dancers, etc... so, yeah, may not have been direct; could have been by means of someone else
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.
This is amazing. This is how we move when we jb skate in Chicago 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 JB (james brown). Even the floor and the background behind him is giving what Tha Rink off 87th would've been back then
@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.
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.
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!
So this is who and where Cab Calloway got some of his moves.... and still there are moves here by this amazing artist, that today's dancing could learn from. The strength in pulling yourself up, like he does here, off the floor, is just wild. I was able to do similar sliding/pulling myself up using the muscles in my legs when I was much younger, but surely never with the suaveness seen here with this amazing gentleman Earl "Snake Hips" Tucker. .
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
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.
@@KamalasNotLikeUs 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
I have NEVER in my life, and I used to #hiproll thinking I was doing something, seen ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN MY LIFE! He was definitely like idk not on some human stuff this seems IMPOSSIBLE to do. Amazing #BlackPeople
@@emperorpalpatine693 what? What year was this? James wasn't on the scene for pretty much anybody to see until the 50s and it wasn't until the 60s before most people saw james brown. I see comments saying this is 1930 and if that's so... James brown wasn't even born yet
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 :))
I can see the beginnings of James Brown, hip hop, and break dancing all in this one dance. Wow!
Exactly what I was thinking too!
Agreed!
And MJ as well 😊
My exact thought.
Yes, it's hard to imagine that the line from this to those was broken. I see so many classic early hip hop moves in this vid.
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???
@@nmar7512He died of syphilis
@YourMomSaysHi_Jinx thank you for letting me know. Sad! He must have it for a long time to die of it at such young age. He was fantastic n left a legacy of dance. I'm hoping he didn't suffer much.
Love this! The pre-cursor to James Brown, Michael Jackson, break-dancing, etc. 🕺🏾
And something coming too yet known maybe?!
Breakdancing is older than this
@@kenpachi465Examples? This video is nearly 100 years old. Breakdancing (as in dancing to break beats) started in the Bronx in the ‘70s.
@@LastSifu look up Africa break dancing
You can also research Brazilian Capoeira
@@LastSifu look up Africa break dancing
Research Brazilian Capoeira
Dang. This video was uploaded 16 years ago. Almost at the dawn of UA-cam. And magically it arrives in our feeds now. How blessed this day is. Happy tears and full hearts.
The man defies gravity and has an almost supernatural grace. So glad we have film of him.
Nothing is new. They have done it all back in the day. Wow ❤
Fluid, sensual, original...just think, before the days of film, talent was passed on by word of mouth.
talent isn't passed on by film, word or mouth.
@@obiwankenobi661 By talent, I mean the appreciation and recognition of the talented. Sorry if I confused you.
@@jkryanspark i survived.
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😂😂😂😂
😂😅
Glad to see Earl’s talent is being appreciated
What a smooth criminal 🕺🏽
He moves like he's on roller skates. Amazing bow down!!
Yeah like he is floating or gliding. Amazing he was so limber.
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?
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
@@sandra-jonesMr “Snake Hips” made that particular dance popular in the 1920’s, 13 years before Fred Astaire made his film debut.
@@A_R_888 thanks for the information.
I assume Michael Jackson also got some ideas from Mr Snake.
He was amazing, way ahead of his time!
It took 16 years to reach my feed, and I'm glad it did!
Ikr! 1st time I’ve seen this dancer! Wow!!!!! “His Hips don’t lie either!”
Skakira got competition now!😅😂😅😂🤦🏽♂️
This man is magnificent in his move an style love his facial expressions these young guys can't top this ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I found a rattle snake on the trail and named it Rattle Tucker. It's a fitting tribute to the man whose dance moves were more agile than any snake could ever hope to be.
this is why they believe we are magical....cause we are!!!
YES WE ARE 💯
Yes we totally are
They need to stop forcing ya'll out of your comfort zone. Not everyone is fit to be engineers.
Oh, you can do this?
@@hirokomlm131 oh, you didn't know. "Those people can fly." Just Google it.
I am hypnotised, I had to watch this footage several times!!!!! The precision, Mr. Tucker articulated, gliding to the magic of the music, is captivating!!!!! Sir Tucker, was an extreamly, talented entertainer, with a beautiful, unique style of rythemic moments!!!! This Jem was a gracefyl, GOD gifted, creative artist!!!!!!
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.
This guy was so original. Most of this stuff would still be fresh these days, lol
Agreed!
look up "Dave elsewhere"
You know DAMN well this was one of Michael’s inspirations! That’s crazy…
nah this guy was an inspiration to the guy that michael copied though for sure. theres another guy that did the moonwalk and a ton of michaels moves before michael. he was even snake themed. that guy definitely was inspired by this guy
@@humanbean3 It wasn't just the moonwalk...it's the multiple modes of movements and movement quality. Dancers are performance artists. They have thousands of inspirations, ostensibly, through their instructors ad that which they see in mainstream media, other dancers, etc... so, yeah, may not have been direct; could have been by means of someone else
@@pugilemoltobene3708 bob fosse is his name. check him out in "the little prince"
This gentleman was extremely double jointed -- his movements were SMOOOOOOTH like butter !!!
This brought a smile to my face.. Amazing.. thank you for preserving these memories.
Black people are a phenomenal people. We can't help but emulate them in music, song and dance.
We are more than just.
They excel in EVERYTHING! They're just amazing!
Ah yes, the good old black people 😂
@@stevenkelby2169 Even funnier : No one is forcing you to watch videos of good old black people. You just cant help it.. 🤣
@@percyvolnar8010 Yeah black people are great!
They're not my favourite though.
You know who my favourite people are?
The Gays!
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.
Imagine walking to the dance floor and this banger comes on.
You could literally play any kind of music over this & it would still work.
The Imperial March
Yeah that's right THIS IS YO DADDY ELVIS!!!
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.
Classic Indigenous American Dancing. LOVING IT!
Wow. I've never seen any Earl 'Snake Hips' footage before. This is amazing.
Jazz music is such fun and has inspired great artists. Snake Hips is a true master of movement. Such poise and elegance, and of course creativity
Man, that's gotta be hell on his knees!
I see the beginning of every modern hip hop dance move in every second of this video. Talk about ahead of your time. This is absolutely amazing!!!
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)
See the things that people could come up with back in the day when there was no internet. Just lovely.
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."
How did I not know this guy until now?! This is gold!!
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.
Popping and locking back in the 40s! It's blowing my mind!
That's the boogaloo rolls right there :)
This is amazing. This is how we move when we jb skate in Chicago 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 JB (james brown). Even the floor and the background behind him is giving what Tha Rink off 87th would've been back then
he’s smoother than a dealership wind mascot
Lol!!!! Snake oil included!
And Hip surgery destined!😅😂🤦🏽♂️🕺🏽
wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube-man?
Elvis, James Brown, Michael Jackson and all the boy bands owe their styles to this man!
Actually, this man's dance style comes from his AFRICAN BACKGROUND.
I've seen similar dances done in small, remote, unheard-of villages in Africa.
@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.
Wow! Great talent this Brother can really dance! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🙏🏽😆🕺🏾🙆🏾
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
The OG. He was doing it before everybody else 👍😎
That was amazing. A little bit of boogaloo was in his moves. I hope to find more of Earls dance clips.
How amazing to have footage of such a talented man
Those dance moves are so smooth
Tucker was smooth with it! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
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. UA-cam has vids.
There's nothin' new under the sun, only that which has been forgotten.
1:10 He should be called 'rattle snake' Tucker
He set the foundation for a LOT of old school street dancers, including myself!!
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!
Wow. What an amazing talented black man! Makes me proud. ❤❤Simply beautiful art.
Man, if he was around today ! He would be killing some fools !
So this is who and where Cab Calloway got some of his moves.... and still there are moves here by this amazing artist, that today's dancing could learn from. The strength in pulling yourself up, like he does here, off the floor, is just wild. I was able to do similar sliding/pulling myself up using the muscles in my legs when I was much younger, but surely never with the suaveness seen here with this amazing gentleman Earl "Snake Hips" Tucker. .
i love this kind of music.
Wow….. That’s AWESOME!! 😮
And here I thought Shakira’s hips never lied .. boy was I wrong 😮
Never seen anything like this in my life wow!
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!?
You can tell he knows how to hit all the right spots, lol. 🎉🎉🎉
Even though it's frm so so long ago, absolute quality. Look at dat guy move
This dude made a living off of his hips. Beautiful
I swear when he first started I thought he was going to start pop'locking. even seemed like a beat was gonna drop. lol
This the way cartoon characters dodge bullets.
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
Know. Your. Roots. Modern dance is all right here.
The original boogaloo!!!
2024 We are here to learn those dance moves
Man, Tucker had the moves.
so smooth too
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.)
.
The things you can make your body is unbelievable look at the talent awesome.
He's made of rubber.
That's amazing! You're Grandfather is an awesome dancer.
so many styles in one, and before most of those styles were a thing.
This is my child every time I need to change their clothes... 😂
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.
not my ass is shroomed out and doing this in my living room. Making the ancestors just giggle 😅😅😅😅😅
sunday funday
All these dances come from old school and a lot of people don’t know that break dancing came from Africa
Wrong!
@@KamalasNotLikeUs 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
We are Aborigine American stop claiming our ancestors it's genocide!!!!
Fba super mad
@@jeanheard4615 negative we Auchtochtonous Onkwehonwe Aborigine Americans are the progenitors of our own stop 🛑 the genocide
I have NEVER in my life, and I used to #hiproll thinking I was doing something, seen ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN MY LIFE! He was definitely like idk not on some human stuff this seems IMPOSSIBLE to do. Amazing #BlackPeople
I believe he was break dancing and pop lock wow Kool.
Snake hips! Ya right on!❤
he was the originator, ,first beaker
You know this guy was the undisputed pound-for-pound strongest handshake champion.
This is the scariest shit I've ever seen
Lol
A lot of these kinds of moves became part of body popping years later. Historical stuff.
Chris Brown wishes he could dance like this
Oww... my aching knees and hips 😢
Harlem shake roots!
Love it!!! ❤❤❤❤
you can see that James Brown was influenced by this dancer!
Maria Jones I was think MJ too
I think the other way around :D
@@emperorpalpatine693 what? What year was this? James wasn't on the scene for pretty much anybody to see until the 50s and it wasn't until the 60s before most people saw james brown. I see comments saying this is 1930 and if that's so... James brown wasn't even born yet
David elsewhere too
Breakdancing was definitely inspired by this man!