1930's Break Dancing (Mills Brothers - Caravan)

The earliest known recorded footage of break dancing from the late 1930's. The music i added to the dancing is: Koke by Tribe.
Buy original Mills brothers music here: ebay.to/2kljBdp
(2018 update. I did NOT use any kind of advance editing software such as Abode after effects/Photoshop etc i simply overlaid the track by Tribe to the original mills brother video using windows media maker. A synchronicity in the universe i happened to find. No special editing needed!)
P.S. Much love for all the wonderful comments and feedback!
- Malik
Donations always help. Bitcoin address: 1723Q9Jyhii92ponZNS31qiPuGAgSJeqTD

[@DJMixzaa]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for the all the wonderful comments folks! Can't believe we got 1 milli hits! :D

[@cynthiaennis3107]

DJMixzaa This was SOOO TOTALLY AWESOME! I HAD to post it to FB! I LOVE DANCE! Thank for such an AWESOME VIDEO! GREAT POST! 😃👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💗👍🏼💐

[@craigarussell226]

AWESOME dancers,music and just all round good fun,,Nay..Great fun is the word,,and these dancers do make it look so so easy..fan tactic...totally..👍👍😁😁😎

[@libertynow4047]

It was terrific, but I thought we were going to hear the Mills Brothers sing... 😳

[@missdollrado]

DJMixzaa so dope

[@marysmith1388]

Connie Francis songs

[@cooper482011]

We can clearly see the elements of hip hop dancing, boogalooing, break dancing/b-boying. There’s nothing new under the sun. U.S. southern roots!!

[@samuelgates5935]

The Emperor Jones, with Paul Robeson, shows brothers in the 1930s wearing fade haircut and break dancing!

[@silverskyscraper1179]

It’s has nothing to do with southern. It’s a African American thing!! We are talented, no matter what part of the country!

[@cooper482011]

⁠@@silverskyscraper1179 “African American”? You been listening to Jesse Jackson too long. I can go back 7 generations in my family with my 5th paternal grandfather James Dickerson who was born in 1772 before America became an independent or sovereign country and NOT one African comes up. We’re foundational to this soil and we built what is now America. FACT CHECK!

[@silverskyscraper1179]

@@cooper482011 Thanks for proving me right. We are creative, intelligent and talented people “all over” America! North, west, East & South. I will never say one spot, we all over America.

[@cooper482011]

@@silverskyscraper1179 Clarity is key

[@ericelmore]

More like the 1930s version of the Soul Train line. Just awesome.

[@Johnshaft1970]

💥🎯💯💥🎯💯💥🎯💯💥🎯💯💥🎯💯💥

[@TheThemattyo1]

Exactly right !

[@markabbott2281]

I was searching the comments to see if anyone else had the same thought. The first thing I thought of was Don Cornelius.😅

[@dm4469]

😂

[@RayfieldA]

I can't help but wish that all these folks were still alive and well. This video is a reminder that life is Short.

[@vegasvalleymom6223]

The Mills Brothers had the smoothest sibling harmony!!!

[@tarikdebarge]

Wow this almost 100 years! I guess we always had SOUL! That was AWESOME!

[@TheGeeLuv]

Coming on here to show respect to one of the Creators of break dancing and soul dance.

[@artjohnson1757]

Can you imagine this was over 75 years ago, blew me away.

[@marcelldelgado5830]

No matter what, Africa-Americans created all genres music and also they created the steps, or dance for every genre. They were and still are genius nowadays 👌👍✌️

[@MsJay-cr1id]

Thank You!!!

[@babylonhasfallen1329]

Did they create the Macarena and death metal?

[@ronnieitaquab1008]

​@@babylonhasfallen1329Naw.Other people can come along and use instruments to make their own ideas of sound so I doubt The People would take credit for macarena and death metal lol

[@marcelldelgado5830]

It seems that we have one hater around here

[@Damien9807]

​@@marcelldelgado5830if y'all such geniuses howcum y'all were slayvs for so long?? Y'all stpd asf

[@jonnarobinson7541]

I loved this video!!! I am a dance teacher and I have never seen this before. Kind of a combination of tap, swing, and break dancing. I would enjoy seeing more!

[@cherishthegiftoflife8255]

I remember when I first saw break dancing. I was absolutely mesmerized and wished I could do it. This reminds me of the scripture…there ain’t nothing new under the sun ( Eccl. 1:9 ). Thank you for sharing this video of these talented folks. I look forward to the day when there will be peace and harmony the world over and everyone will be valued as the unique star that they are. 💗

[@aaliyahfurtadoxoxo]

This makes me proud of black people… we’re so creative and talented ❤️😍

[@raymondabella2289]

The Mills Brothers also influenced other musicians like Dean Martin. But if you want to see a pair of dancers from the thirties that could smoke many of modern-day dancer you guys need to check out the Nicholas Brothers.

[@alneshiasaint-hubert1595]

Yesssssssssss The NICHOLAS BROTHERS!!!!! ❤ ❤ ❤

[@byHexted]

Who the hell doesn’t know the Nicholas brothers did you just find out who those guys were? They were insanely famous

[@raymondabella4684]

@@byHexted Not that it matters, but no, I just didn't just discover who the Nicholas Brothers were. I don't know if you just woke up from a deep sleep in a time capsule but I've got sad news for you! I beg to differ and would wager that the "average" person you pull off the street, especially younger than Gen-X, wouldn't know sh*t from shinola about the Nicholas Brothers or anyone from thier time. Heck, they would probably think your talking about English noblemen if you mention the names, Duke Elington or Count Basie to them then say to you, "Okay Boomer", if you showed them the same level of concern as to me knowing of the level the Nicholas Brothers' historical celebrity status.

[@learner5090]

@@byHexted shows how Brown People are always being surprised and cover up

[@ILoveTheAllCreator]

Goats

[@user-qo8xk7tg5b]

I was born & raised in the South Bronx. I keep telling people Hip Hop is older than you think. It didn't start in the 70's.

[@themajicman745]

This isn't no darn hip hop! People had their own thing back then and they hated hip hop as they became older. Especially RAP!

[@pajewa]

@@themajicman745 Everything is built on the shoulder of what went on before. Hip Hop didn't just happen in the 70's don't get it twisted.

[@ΔημΔ-ω2ο]

Hip hop in its form started in the 70's it just incorporated things before its birth.But this isn't hip hop neither bboying

[@HypnoticHollywood]

@@themajicman745 He's saying the seeds of Hip Hop were planted long before the 70s as you can see the dances in this 1930s clip resemble break dancing. Hip Hop is more than just rap fool.

[@Grandmaster__Gee]

Rapping exist in 1920s like this dance, dj, graffiti too but hip hop started in 1970s.

[@emmelyu]

...really would have wanted to hear the original music though..

[@DJMixzaa]

The original video available on KZbin as well..

[@emmelyu]

*gasp* What do I search to find it? Sorry for the urgency, I study Jazz Vocal at York and I need to get as much music from these times as I can. THANKS!!

[@dvader4731]

emmelyu me 2

[@prisrh8449]

emmelyu me too

[@victorwashington4433]

Wow! The fun our Great Grand Parents had minus the bells whistles and high tech gadgets we can barely move off on!

[@rickcoleman8277]

Good point to show how this dancing influenced break dancing, especially with the modern music! To see much more of the Mills Brothers' (and others') acrobatic rhythm tap dancing and original music, watch the movies "Stormy Weather" and "That's Dancing".

[@sterlingturner5420]

Black people exclusively Invented breakdancing...not Latinos or anyone else!

[@GhostFace6661]

Exactly that’s why it’s very important to gate keep

[@ev8318]

WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here are people doing it before FBA! Google the titles Thomas Edison recorded an Arab street dancer performing acrobatic headspins in 1898. From the film '"Wild Boys on the Road" 1933. Directed by William A. Wellman The first ever breakdance move recorded on film.

[@CarlosMiguel747]

@sterlingturner5420 🤣🤣🤣 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpvdnqSAr7Kgndksi=tCJbUsWfMRbgvqYx

[@CarlosMiguel747]

@sterlingturner5420 🤣🤣🤣 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnStoGulrq9-pbcsi=zfj-Orw4bwKTfYjr

[@DarkWinter48]

​@@ev8318Sir bye. 😂

[@cthomasct61]

Wow....my people....moving to the rhythms of nature....the water 💧....the wind...the world 🌎....1.PEOPLE....1 MIND...1 LOVE ❤️....1 NATION....1

[@gailjackson-chapman7085]

They were jamming. Love ❤️ the music. 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽❤️❤️👍🏽👍🏽🔥🔥

[@abigailhernandez642]

Increíble, demasiado talento para la época las raíces originales 😁👍

[@Caramelbutterflyntx]

Our ancestors❤❤❤❤

[@aleciaknighten4519]

This is wild how they mixed this music in a 1930 vid..... and its convincing, they're jamming

[@alexandrebezerradasilvabez6990]

Alecia Knighten What is the name of the band that plays this song?

[@halconsalvaje]

@Marta Caballero look for Mills Brothers caravan

[@micollicolli1266]

@@halconsalvaje Thank you my dear, it's been a year since I've been waiting for someone to respond, and you're an angel of God who came to give me the information I needed.

[@soozee128]

All im gonna say is bless the African influence in my culture because damn would it suck without it.

[@marroonrider3193]

we are not african, africans are hamites. we are shemtites. you've been miseducated.

[@gideonneftaliem9058]

marroon rider . yes u don't teach African how to sing or dance .its just in the blood. ...

[@AnastasiaBeaverhousn]

marroon rider don't speak for me I'm AFRICAN and proud. .. foh with that stupid ass Isrealite bullshit

[@Ujuani68]

I have a work mate from Cote d`Ivoire...He can´t dance at all!

[@davidb5205]

Anastasia Beaverhausen Thank you! I roll my eyes every time one of these delusional Hebrew Israelites try to deny the clear West/Central African ancestry of black people in the Americas. It's in the food, the music, the dance, the language (creoles), and the spiritual traditions.

[@jayelbee1111]

Now this is what I call soul!!!😎

[@charlottevick1790]

Everything old is new again, take note claimers.......

[@charlesholmes3073]

Charlotte Vick there's nothing new about the human body just the material shit arround us from a new born baby to a old senior citizen the human body remains the same

[@sueness9863]

Nothing new under the sun, just recycled and looking fresh with a younger face.

[@Daring2Win]

I saw this in a compilation video YEARS ago, and have been searching for it ever since. I wishni could hesr the original music. Thanks for uploading. The Bessie Smith 'Saint Louis Blues' video from 1927 sees her co-star "Jimmy" performing something similar-ish to the last move in the breakdown.

[@BrianSapp945]

Wow, there is nothing new under the sun. African Americans have always influenced music, dance, arts, fashion, food, YOU NAME IT! I guess that I thought it was too good to be true that someone else other than a black person created breakdancing, etc.

[@hamstergirl4444]

Holy. Shit. I had NO idea...thank you for the upload, this is flat out awesome :)

[@mcm-inc]

This makes me smile gives me good vibes. So much spirit and love in this video.

[@MarjorieStoker-oj8fh]

Honestly young people could learn a lot from past dance and music ❤

[@deborahmccoy3837]

Wow; I didn’t even know break dance exist in the 1930’s ; We as African Americans have such a rich, talented and fantastic history, it’s a shame that it was buried for so.....long. , but as the old saying goes, You can’t keep a good thing buried forever. A sensational piece; or video, whichever one you want to call it.

[@sterlingturner4876]

Yes!! Breakdancing WAS NOT Co Created by Latinos or anyone else! We just create something new when it loses its popularity and other races pick it up and add too it. Black people been doing those dances since the beginning of time. What you see today is just an off spend of our culture

[@MalikCanada]

Thanks for watching!

[@MicChecker88]

@@sterlingturner4876 Mos def bro, this is more relevant today than ever. We must gatekeep our culture.

[@mrdreloaded4049]

@1:36 - awwww s#!+, ya'll done woke up this dude!!!!! Not even Crazy Legs can't mess with him - and he's breakin IN OVERALLS, BOOTS AND A STRAW HAT!!!!

[@teetataylor]

wow!!! the world(history) repeats itself..lol..they were jamming..getting down just like soul train dancers..the song was a perfect fit

[@Teacherguy06]

Ok, that was sweet. Playing it for my school kids this week.

[@donn372]

those outfits are cute

[@inneropinion1111]

beautiful women too. so hot!

[@EM-mr8ys]

Gotta hide those male hips

[@femcel444]

Elizabeth m You are jealous because they look better than you. Jealous is a disease get well soon❤️

[@EM-mr8ys]

@@femcel444 i am comfortable with who i am.

[@smokeywonder5166]

Beautiful job, and amazing dance. That was happening, eh!!!

[@BrandonTWills]

Nice. Some good proto Breaking moves. Can definitely see the evolution of dance.

[@beaconwarriorsaintsr.921]

I was waiting for Don Cornelius to come out. This is awesome

[@karenpercival9048]

I am blown away by this video!! I guess history really does repeat itself! And it was just wonderful 😎❤️

[@elskid206]

There's an old saying, "History doesn't necessarily repeats, but it often rhymes" Well we got the rhyming part down that's for sure!!!

[@Ginga櫻井]

ただただ感動… 素晴らしい映像をありがとう

[@jamesearlcash1758]

It looks a little bit more like Disco funk dancing mixed with spinning than straight up break dancing to me anyway. It definitely reminds me of the Soul Train line. The Disco beat in the background makes me think that more so. Very well done editing.

[@firsteyebeats2617]

ITS CALLED THE PRE CURSOR YOU DUMBA$$!!!

[@oldskoofoo22]

yesssss!!! lol.... the way he walked off afta shuttin it dowwwnnnn!!!!!

[@berthadaniels4050]

Wow !! Break dancing in the 30's.? Nice post.

[@theglaok]

Im wondering if Crazy Legs is watching this video saying oh crap!!!!!!

[@courylanders4142]

The old saying " ain't nothing new under the sun" Once ppl understand you ain't as brilliant as you think, we can move forward .

[@xylsvos]

They were totally lit before it was a thing! That’s awesome ❤

[@djkal2002]

Beautiful! That's my people.

[@milvolts1]

These are the real hard working ,appreciative, respectful, black folk. Not these gangster, thugs, wanna be the shit, lazy ass mo fo's we see today.

[@jefeman506]

Are you really family?

[@simmiewilliams5970]

I know right?!...what happened to us.

[@spicecrop]

How do you know that's your people? For all you know they come from a tribe that was at war with "your people".

[@nameprivate4287]

Fun to watch ! I love the 1930's . Amazing video

[@conniemcmillian7010]

history always repeats itself. I love you for doing this, because we need dto see this history.

[@callumnye2562]

Hello Connie, how are you doing?

[@kalynnfarley7322]

That’s crazy 😂 the 30’s though ?! They getting down 💃🏾🕺🏾

[@blackice1802]

Man I love my black American people we are so damn great don't let no one tell you different peace to my f.b.a family.

[@orlandojohnson5742]

My parents told me stories like this many times.... they have old footage of the first or concept of the moonwalk!! Michael Jackson got some moves from Jeffery Daniels(from Shalamar R&B group!)...

[@KineticEV]

Even a little rap in there. This reminds me of another song/video of that time of the guys rapping. But es. We have a deep soulful history in our music that others are enjoying today.

[@bench-clearingbrawl7737]

I’m Mexican American and we started Lowriders and gangster fit like kakis white t-shirt or flannels, throwing up gang signs, soccer, the concept of basketball (ball through a hole, and some say baseball (stick ball). But damn now I’m convinced black peoples invented dancing and maybe beats too

[@abodeofhaven1]

The most enduring human race! Authenticity

[@samuelgates5935]

The movie Emperor Jones with Paul Robeson shows brothers wearing fade haircuts and breakdancing! 1933!

[@deftones2625]

Is this really the 30's that guy was straight up mule kicking, no way I can't believe it.

[@djdedan]

Yep, most early break dance moves were just inherited from jazz dance (called flash dance by some) moves.. acrobatic dance has been around for ages and several cultures do it, hell, some of break dance foundational moves can find their roots in Russian dance... since several foreign troops would tour in the states, dancers would grab moves from these troops and incorporate them into their repertoire - much like all you biting kids probably do with youtube *winK*

[@alexandrebezerradasilvabez6990]

deftones 26 You can tell me which is the band that Istar playing this instrumental music.

[@bkingston7207]

I don’t buy it either.

[@patriciadudzik6440]

deftones 26 Yes and aren't they beautiful

[@blkmamba40]

Can't believe black folks moved like that back then...LOL. Really?

[@floriangonzales1237]

I never thought breakdancing is that old!😊😊😊

[@jayalexander7804]

Back in the day, they called this dance a "cakewalk".

[@zzubuzz]

Huh:) was in a sour mood till I saw this, @ 1:42 - it looks like The Soul Train line dance had a 30's night.

[@knuth.falkvoll9679]

zzubuzz @@1D

[@324wonder]

Man that was KOOL

[@triciac1019]

This just makes me smile, what talent!

[@mysticwitch7071]

Soooooo cool and funky....

[@jerryc452]

Don't ask where Black Folks get their rhythm.

[@ThiruMSwamy]

Africans were always Rock with Dance & Music

[@ricardogarcia1987]

It's sad to even watch .everybody in d video already gone.rip.great people😥

[@nohalfstep4435]

Whoa that was a windmill - so waaaaaaay before late 70s early 80s 😁

[@warunakumara7671]

so amazing to see them dance like that in that era

[@eileenl.-godsservant777]

Good video! Those folks could dance!! Great moves.

[@paulalexander1567]

These dance moves are superb! However, the video editor should have also given us the original sound track of this scene.

[@reginamoore6897]

TOLD Y'ALL. ..ain't NOTHING new under the sun...

[@vincentcorpus5187]

Regina Moore What are you a swami or something?

[@miracleshappen4483]

Wonderful!

[@ocdmusic]

This is so amazing I started a playlist!! Just watched it twice, absolutely buzzing after watching this!!

[@alanspring8462]

Different music but does these folks great. Thanks and they are dancing in spirit now.

[@kathybuie171]

Soul train line up. 100%

[@callumnye2562]

Hello Kathy, how are you doing?

[@Saundra-w9u]

I love the ancestors 🌹👏🖤🤎✊

[@catgrrl58]

Fascinating!

[@NachimuthuS-nw1fi]

Excited dance and good music, amazing. We are 75 years lag compare with this video, excellent and thanks.

[@phillyboy3940]

THANK YOU FOR SHARING.....very interesting.

[@wendygill8013]

OMG, HOW WONDERFUL! I AM CRYING FOR JOY!!❤

[@jad67jd]

Talk about ahead of time.

[@sadalite]

Blacks are way ahead of their time on a great many things. Gotta give them props for sure.

[@LGGodaboveitALL]

WOW! I thought this was a joke, but dude was really break dancing!

[@bass13mary]

My parents loved the mills brothers. My sister rip, loved them also as we all did in my family

[@DeathAngel-tg9yk]

👼I remember New York in the late '70s - NYPD questioned the 'so-called mob' , "WHAT'S GOING ON HERE...A RIOT???” The kids replied, ”Nah , WE'RE JUST DANCING!!". NYPD not understanding said, "DANCING????”

[@servant4473]

Like the bible says, there is nothing new under the sun

[@sarahholmes6281]

TRUE! 👍😊👍

[@brendaalexander2491]

They did that dance... GOD BLESS! U.S.

[@moon.star2]

Welp guess this finally proves what culture actually started break dancing

[@ronaldworth4146]

Just brilliant

[@Geneva-n1s]

THANKS FOR SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON THE HISTORY OF ORIGINAL DANCE that was first recorded 👍🏽.....THE ENDING of the video OF the last dancer hit THE NIGERIAN Mnike song by TYLER ICU & TUMELO Was /is the Truth ✊🏾🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✌🏾

[@Hillers62]

WOW!!!! Breakdancing in the 1930's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@zekegarzaiii2012]

Some of the moves used in the soul train line 😮!

[@Talkmyishh]

Mill brothers said that traces back to west african Griot traditions along with Rap. The Caribbeans adopted those traditions and brought it to America. If anyone wants to talk about influences on hip hop, go that far back like you're suppose to.

[@ofthepastisthebest]

Are you joking, the music is definitely 70's. Or are you telling me that The Temptations made a time travel back to 30's???

[@iamkendallcarter]

HipHop is an American Aboriginal culture not African. 100% indigenous to America

[@rowley1950]

Fabulous! Great post, very well done, thanks!

[@tommyd.743]

Absolutely love it.... thanks much for sharing.

[@themancunian777]

Nice moves and tune 👍

[@Dani-r6t]

@2:05 I can see where MJ got that move from ❤❤😊

[@SHADOWBANNED1984]

Not one Puerto Rican or Caribbean in sight

[@CMBoceanview]

Amazing history lesson