Cultural Phenomenon

They call it Tecktoniks; it is a form of dance based on a blend of hip hop and techno styles. They say the starting point for this scene was a complex of nightclubs on the southeastern outskirts of Paris called the Metropolis and also because of videos on file-sharing websites YouTube and Dailymotion it is spreading even further. As you can see on the video Tecktonik is a mix of break-dancing, hip hop and techno, featuring flailing arms and quick foot movements.

Is this the makings of another culture movement or will it just fade in the annuals of time? Fellow okayplayer beautifulboogieman had this to say, "its been done like mad by young kids here in geneva...they bring out their boomboxes and wile out in the park. these are 16-18 year olds...its cool to see cause its kinda how hip hop started lol..."

Hip-hop did start out in the parks with DJs cutting into the power lines at basketball courts to plug up their equipment and play outside for the people and according to the U.S. Department of State, hip hop is "now the center of a mega music and fashion industry around the world," that crosses social barriers and cuts across racial lines.

Anne Petiau, a sociologist specializing in the study of electronic and pop music, says the Tecktoniks scene is a mix of young people from different backgrounds. "Techtonik has also reached the middle classes and beyond. There's a real mix," she says.

Yelle - A Cause Des Garcons


Yelle - A Cause Des Garcons (Booster Remix)