Michael Jackson's Real Dance Teacher for 18 years: Poppin' Taco

The legendary Pop 'N Taco explains some of the work he did for Michael Jackson back in the days. Since he passed away, many people pretend to have worked with Michael Jackson. The truth is Michael Jackson learnt the foundations of locking and popping that are the core of his dance style from their OG's (e.g., Electric Boogaloos, Original Lockers, etc...) and dancers from Soul Train (e.g., Jeffrey Daniel). In particular, Bruno Falcon aka Pop 'N Taco has been a dance teacher and choreographer for Michael Jackson for 18 years. He worked on various projects with Michael and taught him the art of popping and snaking. Taco's influence on MJ can be clearly seen when MJ executes his King Cobra and the famous "robotic" walk from Billie Jean MTV 1995.
Spread the word. Spread the truth.
Happy Birthday Michael Joseph Jackson (1958 - FOREVER)
Extract from the documentary "Un stage avec Taco" © Christophe Amblard

[@MARZOSIRUS]

Poppin Taco is a legend. He did teach Michael alot of the poppin. Obviously Michael had the talent already.

[@lucy44853]

Yes Obviously michel was talent! But the ideas were tacos ideas the sold on him the ideas were legit

[@AC-mp7cx]

MJ was an insanely good dancer from a very young age

[@nancyhouston1]

Hahahahaha...... Bulshit 😭

[@domothepersonality9507]

Legend! Here after your transition! Came to commemorate and celebrate you!

[@hilfrazao]

Yeah! There's a friend of mine who always goes to California to have classes with Taco and he told me that Taco is well and he is dancing better than never!!! My friend has showed me some photos and Taco is well indeed! He planning to travel to Califonia next november in order to have more classes with Taco. I saw a 2010 footage with him and he is really the best Popper ever!!! Peace friend!!!

[@faraon001]

I met Bruno here in Houston, TX back in '81-82, he was w/ Michael "Turbo" as he was called in Breaking. Bruno was visiting a relative and talking the movie Breaking, took a couple photos which I still have, He's still the best popper I've ever seen!!!

[@susie2628]

RIP 🙏 Pop N Taco , the master Bruno

[@hilfrazao]

Popping Pete said once: They say my Popping is phenomenal, just because they never saw Taco doing his popping live!!!

[@susie2628]

Rip 🙏 Master Bruno , the Best dancing.

[@MisterSicOne]

i wish the interview was longer .. great footage !

[@JustJoshTV]

JD never taught Michael the moonwalk, he was touring with Shalamar in Europe and couldn't teach him so he sent Derek 'Cooley' Jaxson and Geron 'Casper' Candidate who he danced with on soul train and they taught him the move. JDs words.

[@MaximusAurelius1111]

I remember during one dress rehearsal for Michael's video. Taco called out Michael for a dance off. Just like how he did Turbo in movie "Breakin". At time, Michael was still green behind his ears and Taco did this electric wave - finishing move on Michael. Then, says WHOSE BAD?". Game over! Everyone busted out laughing! Michael was so embarrassed, he moon walked back to his trailer. Taco was soon let go from dance team

[@lakikentaki]

Nah that’s a fat lie cuz I was there and MJ blew the roof off that building after executing his special move ‘hovering sidewalk’ - leaving Taco and the rest of the team in disbelief and Bruno himself crowned MJ as the indisputable king of dance!

[@nuracaicedo2632]

Rest in peace to one of the best beautiful Pop Lock dancers that they ever lived popping taco we love you from Minneapolis....❤️🙏🤲

[@rayramos2240]

DAM HES A LEGEND THIS GENTELMEN POPPING TACO

[@davideboi6664]

R. I. P. Grand Master Legend Bruno " " Pop N Taco" Falcon

[@rayramos2240]

DAM HE WAS MICHAEL FRIEND HES SO LUCKY AND BLESS

[@dharmendrateotia371]

You are great sir

[@CraftyTan]

Micheal didn’t need a teacher he taught himself and watched people who inspired him

[@user-pw1nw3zn2w]

michael jackson "real" dance teacher... miss you

[@Mazhidulla]

Жаткан жерин жайлы болсын! RIP pop n taco

[@md0206]

@seiya2008 True, in all respects but we cannot forget Michael Jackson doing roundhouse spins, tap, james brown and fred aistaire moves at age 8 and up, doin' robots in 72' and up, doin' what other dancers couldn't do, like Taco and even Taco knew Michael was a sick ass dancer to boot with, he'd rip you on the floor. Both amazing dancers, thanks 4 the amazing footage when I see Pop N Taco, i feel alive and ready to fucking dance!! :D

[@looneygardener]

Legend.

[@tonm08]

MJ learned the Moonwalk, (backslide) after seeing a group of black kids doing it on the streets; they showed him & he practiced it while living @ Hayvenhurst. “Now the Moonwalk was already out on the street by this time, but I enhanced it a little when I did it. It was born as a break-dance step, a “popping” type of thing that black kids had created dancing on the street corners in the ghetto. Black people are truly innovative dancers; they create many of the new dances, pure and simple…” ~MJ

[@sjsmith821]

Uhhh okay so Pop N Taco taught MJ how to pop it all makes since now. This is great!!

[@8offhitt]

The legendary pop n taco! Legendary westcost moves!

[@kevinmorgan263]

Mike was taught by Jeffrey Daniel's, popping taco and Michael turbo chambers how to pop. Jd was also choreographed smooth criminal and bad which taco appears in as well. Turbo and taco battled on the breaking movie. All closely related .

[@kevimandjyt9032]

R.I.P BRUNO P TACO😢

[@alexdsay]

Poppin' Taco RIP Legend

[@srprice2383]

Lots of people taught MJ. Shimp, Boogaloos, this bloke, Jeffrey Daniels, the Nicholas brothers. He took all the best parts from all of them along with the best parts of Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and especially BOB FOSSE, James Brown, Jackie Wilson etc. Mixed them together with his own spin on it in to something that was amazing and just MJ. Its what I do with guitar playing. I take the best parts of what I consider the best players. Mix it together in my own way and be better than all of them.

[@Mr88karats]

Best comment I've seen in a long time

[@maximusbeebop1342]

Dude, he was TAUGHT by them and was inspired by their ways. Hes an innovator for sure but you have to give credit where its due. Theres a reason why they hired these Funk Stylist pioneers.

[@daeveionwilliams4825]

SR Price dope

[@nursandy3212]

and jeffrey daniel dad brother cazsper canidate

[@Essence_S]

Most of what MJ did was actually taught to him. Sure he did some moves in his own way but you gotta give credit where it’s due. Honestly nothing he did was new. But MJ and Taco are both legends.

[@hilfrazao]

That's the truth ! Tacos is a master !!! I have this doc vid !!!

[@bboykb94]

rip poppin taco 🕊🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@francocharlesdecarvalhocar359]

O máximo respeito Taco!

[@kanelee]

nice clip dude. love mj and taco. where can i watch this doc vid?

[@Elena-er7zp]

he says after MJ built the History statue he decided to split 😭😭😭 he knew it was done

[@kmusic160]

The OG. The legend.

[@hilfrazao]

Pop 'n Taco was the MJ personal dance teacher, choreographer and adviser for 18 years and everybody who works, likes or simply understands the world of popping, know that! So that's why I think Taco doesn't get bothered about all these MJ teaching talk!!! As you wrote yourself, we can clearly see the Taco's influence in MJ dance when he executes his King Cobra and the famous "robotic" walk from Billie Jean not mention the sidefloats and other moves. Where's the others' influence? God bless you

[@ru_bott]

In the Smooth Criminal video, does Poppin Taco join MJ near the end (dancing to the right of MJ)? I can't get a good look at his face, but his long hair from the back reminds me of Taco's hairstyle from around that time period..

[@stevefoxjr6025]

thinkimlost1 yeah it is him 100%%.

[@on2wheels378]

Bruno "Poppin Taco' Falcon actually lives on Falcon Street... Serio.

[@mp6697]

In long beach?

[@Rekoniz17]

R.I.P Taco 🙏🏼

[@d3mist0clesgee12]

Legend, no idea he died in July, RIP

[@kharris0465]

Michael was popping, locking and robot dancing as far back s 1973.

[@TheBlueRage]

RIP Pop N Taco

[@thegamingmusketeers6601]

RIP Pop and Taco 🙏

[@oldschoolsang93]

rest in peace

[@dantebernardino6754]

the man in breakin poppin taco Electric boogalo the heart beat strutt

[@DevelopingDreamsFoundationInc]

yes for sure popping taco was one of michael jackson's dance teachers, as was poppin pete

[@user-ox8ym6hr5t]

大好きです🎵

[@tonm08]

@pamdanceehh Yes, I know about Boogaloo Sam - think he got the group together around 77, some time after being inspired by watching 'Locking'. As I have said under another video, many of these dance moves actually came from the streets first, then into the clubs and so on. MJ, as well as doing the likes of locking and robot back in the early 70's, also "created" his own moves along the way, which was the real point of my post. He was born to dance, as well as sing.

[@BaaNeeStyle]

is there anywher a full version of this video ??

[@MrQba]

pop n taco is a legend, look at his style and his old fashion, so many things MJ copied from him. not hated, i love MJs music

[@lilygarcia9832]

I always be in love of pop n taco since he was in a Breakdance movie, but, a question, is he gay??

[@lucysabrinacarrillo811]

@@lilygarcia9832 I have te same question hehe

[@YakThaWiseman72]

Mr_Oba Michael didn't copy him he was Michael's Choreographer, it's a difference he was in videos and toured with MJ.

[@MrQba]

@@YakThaWiseman72 ye, but he teached not only the moves but MJ took his style and fashion also. That's a big difference

[@shantelwells6442]

@@MrQba how did MJ steal his style? You do know that Michael has been dancing before Taco was even born right? 😂

[@lucysabrinacarrillo811]

Pop N taco has been my crush sos ve I watched Breakin (I’m 19 lol)

[@constantinosbrakus5907]

Same lol. But I low-key think he's gay I could be wrong though.?🤷

[@BootyClapn]

@seiya2008 Where did you send your friend to train with him? Is he still in Europe? I would love to learn from him. He is the best. Taco is my idol.

[@29kalel]

What you all need to understand is that Michael was not a popper. His style had a few of these move integrated into them but he was not a pop locker. You could see Fred Astaire, james brown, Jackie Wilson and pop lock all rolled into one. These guys are pure pop lockers that's it. Michael was a pure dancer that even mimicked animal movements and mimes in his dance this was something those pop lockers lacked where he shined

[@hilfrazao]

2 - Seiya2008 ... If I put these footage online, I'd never have the opportunity to have others, again! (Or my friend)! God bless you my friend !!!!

[@tonm08]

3. You get tons of good dancers out there - you also get good dancers imitating MJ too, but it is the WAY MJ was able to execute dance - his OWN, UNIQUE way of moving. The OVERALL way HE moved HIS body while executing a style; He simply stood out. He had that extra magic about him on stage & THAT is what brought him worldwide acclaim in the dance arena. Again, stop dragging me into your (who was/is the best at this or that) topic - It has NOTHING to do with what Taco spoke about in this video.

[@darrock747]

Yeah! Daniel, Daniels you know who I'm talking about.

[@DevelopingDreamsFoundationInc]

yes for sure popping taco was one of michael jackson's dance teachers, as was poppin pete.

[@Karazorel.Ms.PG1]

Taco ❤ RIP

[@iloveyou75204]

It all comes down at the end of the day that the 'Electric Boogaloos' taught everyone how to pop, etc., so what's the differance wether Jeffery Daniel wasn't the only one who taught MJ, they all learned from the 'Electric Boogaloos' :) And besides, The 'Moonwalk' is MJ's most famous dance out of all his dances, and MJ fans want to learn more of the moonwalk than any other dance MJ has ever done, that Jeffery Daniel taught him :) He he, ha ha. So are point still has the winning end >:)

[@heatsann4456]

Rip pop n taco

[@BaaNeeStyle]

@seiya2008 can u please send me that link couse i seriossly can't find it ..

[@KpopNiDontStop]

ya I think u should listen before posting taco said "THE SIDE FLOAT" not back slide? u know the sideways glide? u can SEE how similar MJ'S glides are to Taco in performances.

[@SuperTFSTAR]

@breaklock i agree with you !!!! everything you sad are right ... !!! TACO is the LEGEND !!!

[@MrIndow]

thats right!

[@MrQba]

@pamdanceehh sry, the funky robot in 74 he learned from Bill "Slim the Robot" Williams, from the group "the lockers"

[@iloveyou75204]

Yeah, MJ went with Suga Pop first before Pop 'N Taco, lol in 1982. Gold figure, lol.

[@1ReaZon]

there is no assumption. I've done my research and I know The REAL HIP-HOP and Urban Dance styles individually. I know the difference in choreographed dancers, feeling the music, freestyling, all of it. Michael was not overly developed in any one style. I've trained with the men who trained him, as they are my mentors. Michael is the #1 ENTERTAINER IN THE WORLD not the #1 DANCER PERIOD. Learn some shit before talking to me.

[@AC-mp7cx]

hes both. He's the best dancer, singer, showman combined. He was good at all styles

[@1ReaZon]

@@AC-mp7cx no he was good at specific moves. Michael did not break down each dance individually like the men who taught him. There are dancer like myself who would demolish Mike in a battle.

[@DexterHaven]

I picked up on that vibe too. His ass is nicknamed the poppin taco, I think.

[@ivanbello8920]

People need to stop bugging,…MJ said it himself when Oprah interviewed him back in 91’ he said “I learned from the kids street dancing.”

[@spaceorbison]

Breakin!

[@1980Triumph]

So many claimed to have taught MJ, why don't they all just battle it out. First off MJ was world renowned as a dancer before he met any of them, 15 years of performing before he started popping and locking. What makes MJ so special is that he incorporates many forms of dancing, not just popping and locking.

[@leonf3rd]

I don't know what Poppin Taco taught Michael. Out of all the poppers, Taco has worked with MJ the most.

[@MrFrankieLB]

I didn't know that either.....awesome. I watched breakin over and over because of all that poppin and lockin

[@BBoy2Galoo]

@TheBladeozan You know, there is this Legendary Boogaloo dancers (heck i forgotten their group name) that actually taught Micheal many moves. this guy is probably one of other teachers that taught Micheal - that i doubt he tuaght him anyways. before you even say anything. research about micheals dancing and the history of it. He just made moonwalk famous, alot of his moves came from them boogaloo poppers

[@SKILLSPORTSPREP]

RIP

[@hilfrazao]

1- Seya2008. You can be sure that he is dancing better than never, but nowadays Taco is not performing professionally, he prefers to stay at home so is rare to get hold of footage! But he gives classes for those who want to. Taco told to the guy who is my friend to not put these private footage of him on youtube or online, cos this is a way for him to make money. Taco tells the same to all his pupils, to use these footage just for private viewing and we have to understand...

[@hilfrazao]

Hey Seiya2008, I've read your message and I've answered it, ok? God bless you!

[@DeezSkates]

watch?v=WV_7SBFIt8c I'm going to leave this here for anyone who doubts the legitimacy of this vid. This is a clip of Pop N Taco and Poppin Pete creating the moves for Michael Jackson's Captain EO video.

[@garymeacham7353]

ridiculous people bickering about who is the best and who taught who and what.just enjoy the talent on show and realise that taco is one of the greatest dancers ever.

[@DevelopingDreamsFoundationInc]

yes for sure popping taco was one of michael jackson's dance teachers, as was poppin pete. trust me this is my error :)

[@Knightman234]

@BBoy2Galoo Their name was the electric boogaloos

[@md0206]

@seiya2008 You can find footage of Early bad, and thriller dance practice sessions, aswell as Captain EO, you see Taco and some other EB's in a hangar poppin' showing off some moves, they were with Michael's crew atm, working for him. :) So yeah don't need proof, this is a fact. haha

[@AfricanThinker86]

@1ReaZon Dude you really are assuming. Michael had BEEN dancing LONG before he was michael jackson. He's an entertainer so of course he is going to focus on moves that would be in his shows. But you can't dispute his natural ability to dance. I mean come on. He had been dancing back in the Jackson 5 dance long before he met the so call guys that "trained them". Who doesn't learn from others anyways?

[@iloveyou75204]

Listen to MJ's words, MJ said he learned all his dances from the kids on the streets. MJ said to the little children while on a train at Neverland in 2004, that he learned all his dances from children on the inner city streets. Also in 2001, MJ said: "ALL THE FORM OF POPULAR MUSIC, FROM JAZZ TO HIP-HOP, TO BEBOP, TO SOUL, YOU TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT DANCES FROM CAKE WALK, TO JITTER, TO CHARLESTON, TO BREAK DANCING-ALL THESE ARE FORMS OF BLACK DANCING" There you have it, Michael's own words >:)

[@I_Shit_on_your_shit_point]

I get the impression he wasnt in to poppin pink tacos though

[@toniacrawford6854]

Yeah right

[@MrMarvel0us]

@tonm08 yea but you only showin locking and bottin vids...MJ struggled in Poppin and you can c it in his vids compared to original poppers

[@robertwhite6278]

As a black man racism is always right beneath the surface in most topics even one's like this where it's obvious and always has been that poppin taco is the best and if not top 3 fa sho . !

[@hoodrichGMP]

@Bluetedevilassassin its very valid son !

[@user-zk8nr6zr6c]

I can’t do popping this is difficult

[@BBoy2Galoo]

@Knightman234 yeh, along that line

[@BBoy2Galoo]

@TheBladeozan LOL, yeah.

[@tossingmidgetsforfun]

@Omari1125 Yeah check out the movie "Breakin" you'll see Poppin' Taco ripping it up

[@KpopNiDontStop]

Michael got a lot of his style from Bob Fosse... please look him up BUT Taco is not lying either about teaching MJ side floats, animation, waving and all of that.

[@TRay-de2lg]

KpopNiDontStop No. Majority of his moves come from James Brown, Fred Astaire, and Jackie Wilson. He took certain steps from Fosse, Gene Kelly, Calhoun, Bill Bailey, ect. but mainly those three

[@KpopNiDontStop]

T. Ray I never said any of those dancers did not inspire him I just said MJ is heavily influenced by Taco's waving and animation... which is true Taco was on many tours in many music video's with MJ and was his main popping teacher because MJ hired him.

[@TRay-de2lg]

Yeah cuz nobody could keep up wit Turbo He's the best. Look it up

[@suckafreecee2047]

T. Ray Facts. I believe turbo worked with Mike too. At the end of the day nobody was really fuckin wit turbo. He was more robust with the slides, poppin, and breaking. Legendary! Nonetheless poppin taco was one of the best to ever do it. Turbo is king in my book!

[@suckafreecee2047]

@Daviekush You don't know what youre talking about. Taco can't do half the shit turbo use to do. Turbo can do everything taco can do just as nice if not better!!!!Taco had his signature cobra wave but thats about it.

[@tonm08]

@1ReaZon: Huh? What's all that got to do with my comment? 1. MJ DID have his own “originality” (self-created) moves & in more than dance! 2. If MJ had wanted to do ANY of the above for however long, he could have; he was very fit & all he had to do was what the others did - Learn a specific dance & train at it. There was a time those dancers needed to learn & train that style of dance too. MJ didn’t train *specifically on one style of dance, so your comment is neither here nor there.

[@danielvasques8464]

Breaking tha movie the Dancer damaged styles

[@tonm08]

@MrMarvel0us “MJ struggled in Poppin and you can c it in his vids compared to original poppers” That is a matter of opinion? And you have your's. I have *never seen Michael Jackson struggling with *any kind of dance he did. That is my opinion - formed from my observation. Michael Jackson was a perfectionist. Fact! He would never have *performed* a dance routine that he was going to *struggle* with ...That is not how he worked his performances!

[@apmirkin]

@darrock747 Yes jeffrey Daniel and another guy called casper taught Michael Jackson

[@1ReaZon]

@fmcneillii No actually I'm not assuming anything. This is fact. I my mentors trained Michael and although Michael was practicing before he began training with the E.B.'s , Taco, Bam, Daniels, Etc. these dances weren't exsplosive in the mainstream at that time, so Michael could have been perfecting these dances. Michael caught on fast yes but he never developed into each style. Michael can't wave for 45 minutes, tut for 45 minutes, strobe, or any of that for any real length of time

[@user-ns7il3cc6p]

master taco teach MJ 18years??????????? sorry my english is bad.......

[@AfricanThinker86]

@fmcneillii him*

[@MrGrandmasterr]

@seiya2008 CORRECT!.

[@tonm08]

Sorry, but Michael did a lot of this kind of thing BEFORE this guy came along. Jackson 5 *Locking* back in the 70’s watch?v=tICestGPPbs Just some of Michael, doing Robotic dancing back in *1974* watch?v=Mj71HPMSOsY watch?v=wu2EAZn-Cb0 watch?v=m7EPvorKbsk Michael never studied /focused on, or created just one dance - he did many, and was also a good tap-dancer.

[@MrALenCar321]

What about bogaloo shrimp