Doing the DOUGIE ~

First Kate Upton, a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, doing it. Then the first lady Michelle Obama was seen doing it, too!

The dance style is called Dougie Dance.

It is another type of hip hop dance generally performed by moving one's body in shimmy style and passing a hand through (or near) the hair on one's head. There is no defined way on how to perform the Dougie. Each individual performs with his or her own variation. The main point is not the technique, but the attitude you bring to the stage.

                            Everybody does it different. The way you do it defines you.

                                                                          - Rapper Corey "Smoove" Fowler , Cali Swag District -

The dance was originated in Dallas, Texas, where it took its name from similar moves performed by 1980s rapper, Doug E. Fresh. 

In 2007, Dallas rapper Lil' Will triggered the movement with his hit "My Dougie". Then an individual who attended Texas Southern University returned home to Southern California and taught the future members of Cali Swag District the dance. Cali Swag District recorded the song "Teach Me How to Dougie" and filmed the music video in Inglewood, California during the summer of 2009. Subsequently, the video along with the dance went viral on Youtube.

The Cali Swag District

A different dance, also by the same name was made famous in the South West of England by Robert Donaldson of Gloucestershire. It was originally made by the king of pop, Michael Jackson. Although it never achieved national status, the dance became a craze in clubs around the country.

Its popularity grew over the next 2 years, but declined sharply when Donaldson left the country and enrolled at Kingston University.

When Montae "M-Bone" Ray Talbert was shot to death by unidentified gunman, the Cali Swag District spokesman, Greg Miller, complimented him for being the best at doing the dance. And how he always stood in the forefront during the tour. 

To respect him, at the funeral, mourners did the Dougie dance for a tribute video. Talbert's grandma also did it as part of her eulogy.

M-Bone on the right side

According to the Cali Swag District, "We are not looking forward to making another dance move. The Dougie just picked up organically. We had no idea that it would become so popular nowadays."

In late 2011 and throughout 2012, people started to associate the Dougie with another dance crazes such as Cat Daddy and Jerkin. They often refers all the new types of hip hop dance under the name of Jerkin.

Nowadays, "Doing the Dougie" become a common phrase. The dance involved leaning from side to side along with a danceable music beat. Then, when we are feeling the beat, we can move our arms up or forward depending on the music rhythm. The signature of Dougie move is then inserted by brushing hair back and forth and also brushing the shoulder off to sort of get "fresh".

Kemba Walker did the Dougie

The popularity of Dougie Dance also infiltrated athletes and celebrities. The song and the Dougie has now become some sort of celebratory anthem in sports. In the NBA for example, John Wall did the Dougie while warming up before his debut home game with the Washington Wizards. The videoclip of this dance landed on Youtube and already had more than a million hits!

Next example, in the NFL, Braylon Edwards also did the dougie after a touchdown. Unfortunately he was later penalized for doing the dance. :(

But "doing the Dougie" has been repeated by many sports player around the world, which makes the dance move become more and more popular.

From the NFL and NBA, and even to college football, the Dougie has become a craze for sports and music fans. Various Youtube clips of people doing the Dougie have generated a lot of views and hits. Doing the Dougie is now more than just being cool and fresh. It has become a statement for celebrations, either in sports world, entertainments world, or even ordinary lives.

Well, that's my so-called-short explanation about Dougie Dance move. I'm looking forward to seeing your comments... and also your Dougie videos! :)

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-Sara ♥