Bankhead Bounce


The Bankhead Bounce is a dance that originated in a neighborhood on the west side of Atlanta known as Bankhead. The dance was popularized by a song named "Wassup Wassup" by rapper L. "Diamond" Atkins, featuring D-Roc that was released in 1995. Within the same year, rap group Outkast released the song "Benz or Beamer" music video featuring the Bankhead bounce. The dance is performed by moving one's shoulders up and down with arms bent toward the chest.

The Creation and Background

The discovery of the dance occurred when Kevin Lee, a music manager, visited to a night club called Bounce in Bankhead, Atlanta.

The Rise To Fame

The dance became entered the mainstream after a performance by Michael Jackson during the 1995 MTV Music Video Awards.

Culture

Other than musical artists performing the dance, it has become popular in dance fitness routines made popular by Atlanta-based African American dancers. Bankhead Bounce became known in Atlanta’s African-American culture due to choreographer Rennie Harris, a collaborator of Run-DMC.