Earl "Snake Hips" Tucker

[@wells5150]

This was my grandfather!!!! WOW! So gladto see his art still appreciated.

[@camaradiop3731]

Your grandfather was superlative.

[@yorkymom]

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.

[@wells5150]

@@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.

[@ecclairmayo4153]

That's so cool!

[@nightly._4779]

Oh my gosh how lucky you are!!! I love your grandfather's work :))

[@denisenixon-sparks8994]

I can see the beginnings of James Brown, hip hop, and break dancing all in this one dance. Wow!

[@livelystones7773]

Exactly what I was thinking too!

[@loveineverystitch]

Agreed!

[@sammaka4047]

And MJ as well 😊

[@Mr.Oct___]

My exact thought.

[@barryschwarz]

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.

[@jeffcolorado]

It took 16 years to reach my feed, and I'm glad it did!

[@orlandojohnson5742]

Ikr! 1st time I’ve seen this dancer! Wow!!!!! “His Hips don’t lie either!” Skakira got competition now!😅😂😅😂🤦🏽‍♂️

[@arramon777]

lolol

[@luvnliv]

same here

[@user-dv3kq3rm4h]

Same! The algorithm works in mysterious ways

[@xaviergonzalez9848]

same

[@asifsba1]

Dang. This video was uploaded 16 years ago. Almost at the dawn of KZbin. And magically it arrives in our feeds now. How blessed this day is. Happy tears and full hearts.

[@ThePr0t0type2]

😭😭😭😭😭

[@wendellnelson1118]

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.

[@stephaniecarrow4898]

😄😄

[@lyndawilliams4570]

😂😂😂😂❤

[@emefalove8462]

HYSTERICAL! I'll have to try that. Sometimes, I just make by a hair! 😂

[@cynthiaperkins5584]

Oh my goodness too funny😂😂😂😂

[@alisonhophing6261]

😂😅

[@Sigmaalphab]

This clip is 94 years old

[@willmosse3684]

You seem to be right? Is it colourised? Doh - just noticed it says it’s colourised the long title…

[@jehuhunt4769]

And 1:54 of my life i can't get back...

[@alchemik2010]

94 lata temu tez ćpali koks.

[@Algrenion]

@@jehuhunt4769 should've closed the tab then, goober

[@aoasupply2197]

@@alchemik2010 na that was 40years ago

[@johnnywilliams1410]

oh my God. all of his moves are updated from the 1930's to the 1980's. this man taught a whole generation to dance and how to coordinate their movements to any song or beat.

[@BrianCJ1123]

Love this! The pre-cursor to James Brown, Michael Jackson, break-dancing, etc. 🕺🏾

[@Declarationofyourgeneration]

And something coming too yet known maybe?!

[@kenpachi465]

Breakdancing is older than this

[@LastSifu]

@@kenpachi465Examples? This video is nearly 100 years old. Breakdancing (as in dancing to break beats) started in the Bronx in the ‘70s.

[@kenpachi465]

@@LastSifu look up Africa break dancing You can also research Brazilian Capoeira

[@kenpachi465]

@@LastSifu look up Africa break dancing Research Brazilian Capoeira

[@raphaeldesouza1092]

For what its worth... this is a TRUE LEGENDARY ACT.....that must Never be Forgotten! This is POWERFUL!

[@valeriecampbell9581]

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

[@perfectjazz78]

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.

[@DAB148]

Thank you for your history info on Earl Tucker! I never knew about this man! He was awesome and amazing! 😃👏👏👏

[@nmar7512]

What happened he died so young???

[@YourMomSaysHi_Jinx]

@@nmar7512He died of syphilis

[@nmar7512]

@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.

[@barbarareel71mom1son04]

I love learning of African American history. This was a honor to have this gentleman come through my news feed this morning. What a great inspirational way to start my day! His dance style has influenced generations ❤

[@diannestrong9441]

Nothing is new. They have done it all back in the day. Wow ❤

[@u.s.n.retired1995]

So true.

[@Heavenssmile1]

@@u.s.n.retired1995 May your happiness know no bounds. I hope you and your family are doing well. May your day be filled with happiness and joy... Stay safe😘💝❤️

[@moyrawoodward2291]

Glad to see Earl’s talent is being appreciated

[@williamjackson6705]

The man defies gravity and has an almost supernatural grace. So glad we have film of him.

[@sewpapercrafts]

He was amazing, way ahead of his time!

[@helenekennedy7948]

He moves like he's on roller skates. Amazing bow down!!

[@vaderladyl]

Yeah like he is floating or gliding. Amazing he was so limber.

[@Heavenssmile1]

@@vaderladyl May your happiness know no bounds. I hope you and your family are doing well. May your day be filled with happiness and joy... Stay safe😘💝❤️

[@vaderladyl]

@@Heavenssmile1 well, thank you!

[@Heavenssmile1]

@@vaderladyl you are welcome So where are you from

[@vaderladyl]

@@Heavenssmile1 I live in FL but was born in Puerto Rico, and you?

[@marcelbpunkt]

How did I not know this guy until now?! This is gold!!

[@promayes8186]

This is true talent and he definitely paved the way for the james browns ans jackie wilsons and mc hammers ushers and chris browns. . children bneed to know more about their history. I often would watch Turner classics with my parents before they passed away so I got a chance to see some footage that he performed in and I thought it was absolutely amazing

[@Heavenssmile1]

May your happiness know no bounds. I hope you and your family are doing well. May your day be filled with happiness and joy... Stay safe😘💝❤️

[@iam_ashleyy]

What a smooth criminal 🕺🏽

[@thisis.michelletorres444]

NOW I know why they called him Snake Hips! Also, you can see how he influenced Astair and even Fosse!

[@sandra-jones]

This clip looks far after Astair.

[@antoinettekankindi6807]

And the high kick of Michael Jackson

[@A_R_888]

@@sandra-jonesMr “Snake Hips” made that particular dance popular in the 1920’s, 13 years before Fred Astaire made his film debut.

[@sandra-jones]

@@A_R_888 thanks for the information.

[@potato9832]

I assume Michael Jackson also got some ideas from Mr Snake.

[@jkryanspark]

Fluid, sensual, original...just think, before the days of film, talent was passed on by word of mouth.

[@obiwankenobi661]

talent isn't passed on by film, word or mouth.

[@jkryanspark]

@@obiwankenobi661 By talent, I mean the appreciation and recognition of the talented. Sorry if I confused you.

[@obiwankenobi661]

@@jkryanspark i survived.

[@CasimirLeYeti]

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.

[@MsStealYourDadAndMom]

Technically before that since it combined dances from Europe and sub Sahara

[@camf33]

This brought a smile to my face.. Amazing.. thank you for preserving these memories.

[@GDBONEY]

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!!!!!!

[@sterilynsilver6895]

This man is magnificent in his move an style love his facial expressions these young guys can't top this ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@serenakiril]

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.

[@pamelaparker508]

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.

[@MadamButterfly19JDM]

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.

[@fpm8338]

Imagine walking to the dance floor and this banger comes on.

[@AsiaDanceScene]

This guy was so original. Most of this stuff would still be fresh these days, lol

[@ecclairmayo4153]

Agreed!

[@dabunnyrabbit2620]

look up "Dave elsewhere"

[@brianunderwood2966]

It's still fresh in 2024!!

[@Vee_Davis-wb9wd]

this is why they believe we are magical....cause we are!!!

[@lucretiasmith9897]

YES WE ARE 💯

[@PedroMoreno-mt5uz]

Yes we totally are

[@SlickArmor]

They need to stop forcing ya'll out of your comfort zone. Not everyone is fit to be engineers.

[@hirokomlm131]

Oh, you can do this?

[@SlickArmor]

@@hirokomlm131 oh, you didn't know. "Those people can fly." Just Google it.

[@adb888]

All these modern dancers out there now realizing, "Wait, you mean I wasn't the first to do this?!?"

[@percyvolnar8010]

Yup. Thats why these clips are beginning to show up.

[@listeningviayoutube7229]

Hilarious facts!

[@Palletknifepaint]

So what about the dancers before him? Life didn’t start with film

[@percyvolnar8010]

@@Palletknifepaint Take your 'what-about-isms' elsewhere, kiddo.

[@Palletknifepaint]

@@percyvolnar8010 why? Can’t handle being shown up as an ignoramous?

[@James-ev6dk]

The slide up from the knees is my absolute favourite 🔥🔥

[@popeyesworld4930]

This is how it all started ! Awesome body control and wonderful moves . RESPECT !

[@wendylowman490]

Wow!!! So SMOOTH GRACEFUL and EFFORTLESS👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@pamelalapierre6678]

This gentleman was extremely double jointed -- his movements were SMOOOOOOTH like butter !!!

[@djjerome]

Popping and locking back in the 40s! It's blowing my mind!

[@clarkclarke]

WOW ...never heard of him ....thank you so much for this.... ✨️🙏🏾💃🏿

[@larhondabrown3329]

I watched it in silence and saw James Brown, Elvis Presley, and Michael Jackson movin😊

[@brendonchristopherlacroix8730]

So essentially, Disney copied all this gentleman's moves in their toons.

[@aklamo]

Wow. I've never seen any Earl 'Snake Hips' footage before. This is amazing.

[@meemeepalmer4144]

The pioneer of many genres n era of dance!!!!💐💐💐

[@LikaLaruku]

You could literally play any kind of music over this & it would still work.

[@potato9832]

The Imperial March

[@tony4534]

This was my grandfather!!!! WOW! So glad to see his art is still appreciated.

[@abeautifulsite]

Wow! Great talent this Brother can really dance! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🙏🏽😆🕺🏾🙆🏾

[@alonie5537]

Beautiful..so talented...he was great. I hope he was paid for his great talent. Thx 4 sharing

[@nevinsmagoo8784]

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!

[@sallymiller6362]

So Finally, this appears to be the original music that goes with this amazing video!!! Worth waiting for after watching this video MANY times!!

[@crazy4corbinbleux]

Yeah that's right THIS IS YO DADDY ELVIS!!!

[@sebastianbardman4581]

How amazing to have footage of such a talented man

[@kikyotokyo7492]

I bet Earl was a beast in the sheets 👀🐍

[@combustible420]

Kikyo Tokyo he died of syphilis. Yeah he was loving love.

[@GarwinWayne]

@Anne Jackson Actually stabbed to death. But yes killed for messing with another man's woman.

[@harrylangdon491]

This guy says he was shot. I myself take no position. www.ministryofmanipulation.com/blog/earl-snakehips-tucker/

[@anthonycaruso8443]

Yea he died at 32

[@KamalasNotLikeUs]

@@combustible420So did several of your "founding fathers."

[@Lelagallo]

Love it and love the copper pants!

[@aristotletheskull]

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)

[@MrManAmong]

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!!!

[@octavismorgan9913]

FBA all the way! So talented! B1

[@meemeepalmer4144]

As smooth as a fresh jar of Skippy!!! Wow!!! Effortless amazing!!!! 👍🏽👏🏽💪🏽💯🔥💐💐💐

[@mooncricket]

That was amazing. A little bit of boogaloo was in his moves. I hope to find more of Earls dance clips.

[@electrickflame353]

I was browsing KZbin clips minding my own business and that name caught my eye😂😂😂

[@93seronica]

Those dance moves are so smooth

[@diamondonpurpose9145]

Wow. What an amazing talented black man! Makes me proud. ❤❤Simply beautiful art.

[@ladyrachel13]

He's made of rubber.

[@u.s.n.retired1995]

Now, this is dancing!! Poetry in motion. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾❤️

[@percyvolnar8010]

Black people are a phenomenal people. We can't help but emulate them in music, song and dance.

[@vbrown998]

We are more than just.

[@aprilalatorre9127]

They excel in EVERYTHING! They're just amazing!

[@stevenkelby2169]

Ah yes, the good old black people 😂

[@percyvolnar8010]

@@stevenkelby2169 Even funnier : No one is forcing you to watch videos of good old black people. You just cant help it.. 🤣

[@stevenkelby2169]

@@percyvolnar8010 Yeah black people are great! They're not my favourite though. You know who my favourite people are? The Gays!

[@rodentcafeteria]

I've seen both Prince and Robert Plant do that shimmy move at 1:13.

[@dsantamaria713]

Love it!!! ❤❤❤❤

[@alanabrayvalenciaadkins1308]

Amazing man with an amazing talent👍🏽🙌🏾👏🏾🙏🏾

[@rabirajbanerjee3872]

That's the boogaloo rolls right there :)

[@eveningstar-j1b]

So smooth. Great talent!

[@Heavenssmile1]

May your happiness know no bounds. I hope you and your family are doing well. May your day be filled with happiness and joy... Stay safe😘💝❤️

[@TheSupinesmokey]

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

[@SaltStorm007]

1:35 That was just too smooth.....

[@paulcompme856]

WOW, there is nothing new under the sun. Awesome talent. Cheers.

[@meeshmrb]

Even though it's frm so so long ago, absolute quality. Look at dat guy move

[@YolandaWynn]

Wow! I've never seen this before, what a treat!! Thank you

[@racheloveck]

Man, that's gotta be hell on his knees!

[@fairplayer7435]

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

[@pugilemoltobene3708]

You know DAMN well this was one of Michael’s inspirations! That’s crazy…

[@humanbean3]

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

[@pugilemoltobene3708]

@@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

[@humanbean3]

@@pugilemoltobene3708 bob fosse is his name. check him out in "the little prince"

[@jazzyjag1989]

Wow how awesome is it to see this art in motion. I'd certainly enjoying seeing more like this! Well done and thanks!

[@HandlebarOrionX]

When Genuwine time travels back to the late 40's

[@AlexK-nu9qj]

Гіпермайстерне володіння своїм тілом!❤👍👍👍🤩

[@nuffflavor]

Man, if he was around today ! He would be killing some fools !

[@patpete9199]

YES SIR, THAT'S WHAT REAL TALENT LOOKS LIKE , TOO U AND YOUR GRAND DAD BIG KUDOS 😘❤

[@finnromy6304]

1:10 He should be called 'rattle snake' Tucker

[@ericguillot6402]

Criminally underrated comment. An actual irl lol.

[@tinkamabry]

Wow….. That’s AWESOME!! 😮

[@bounce510]

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.

[@camaradiop3731]

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.

[@Knowledgeseeker567]

Read Drums And Shadows WPA

[@IONov990]

More reasons why I love West Africa, Central Africa, and the Southern States of the USA

[@kelliintexas3575]

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

[@pennybourban3712]

@@camaradiop3731 Zaouli, if you only watch the feet. They seem to float at times. KZbin has vids.

[@jcjcviews]

See the things that people could come up with back in the day when there was no internet. Just lovely.

[@gwencoopertw94]

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.

[@0ne0nlyLarry]

I just tried it and it was a marvel

[@OutYourBackDoor]

WOW!

[@n.k.4481]

DUDE YES!!! what gave you the idea to do that!?

[@DalladaFilms]

Funniest shit I've seen in a long ass time

[@the60sKid]

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.

[@OutYourBackDoor]

so ... colorized?

[@ecclairmayo4153]

Interesting, his clothing style doenst match that time period

[@perfectjazz78]

@@OutYourBackDoor No, original Two Color Technicolor process

[@electrictroy2010]

@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.) .

[@TJoka1985]

so smooth too

[@BoogieB0nes]

1:30 - 1:37 blew my mind, especially for the time period this was in!

[@camaradiop3731]

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.

[@comment.highlighted]

Wow. The True OG of many to follow 😃

[@doctorbea]

The original boogaloo!!!

[@osoio]

Muito bom! Obrigado pela postagem, Juanibadass. Abraços do Brasil.

[@helleludeya]

HIS WOMAN WAS HAPPY FOREVER!

[@charliemare8363]

My mother told me this snake story when I was young and I've never forgotten.

[@howarddavid31]

Man, Tucker had the moves.

[@valbain209]

That's amazing! You're Grandfather is an awesome dancer.

[@viperdemonz-jenkins]

so many styles in one, and before most of those styles were a thing.

[@I_Kan]

😮 This is great movement/ dancing ❤

[@guitarjoe4580]

Hello l_Kan never seen this before it's crazy how random stuff comes across you on KZbin huh? I don't dance but man most definitely got the moves huh👍👏

[@SaskiaTheBoss]

he’s smoother than a dealership wind mascot

[@orlandojohnson5742]

Lol!!!! Snake oil included! And Hip surgery destined!😅😂🤦🏽‍♂️🕺🏽

[@humanbean3]

wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube-man?