The , or '''C-Walk''', is not, as many assume, a Dance , but rather a Walk . Although in many respects it is like a dance, it is to Crips Gang members nothing more than a ritual. It originated in the early 1980s in South Central Los Angeles as a symbol for Crips of the area and was a staple of Hip Hop culture by the late 1990s.
Originally, members of the Crips would use nimble movements of their feet to spell out their names or other pro-Crips words (sometimes spelling out 's hit single " Drop It Like It's Hot ".
Although the C-Walk has found mainstream appeal, Snoop Dogg rapped on a remix of fellow Crip WC 's single "The Streets" that it is for Crip members exclusively. In recent years, it has inspired Spinoff s such as the Clown Walk —in another attempt at distancing the walk from its original gang ties—and the Bloods ' own interpretation of it, called the Blood Walk.
- Snoop Dogg - "Drop It Like It's Hot"
Because there are different variations to the walk, Crip Walking has evolved into various versions (primarily to distance it from its gang-like origins). However, there are several mainstream versions of the Crip Walk that have always been a part of the Crip culture:
- : This is the original Crip Walk, in which involves shifting your body by making "V" shaped movements with your feet. Executing the V also allowed members to spell out words or names. Often, Crips would spell out the word "Blood" and then 'erase' or 'cross it out'.
- : A recently popular variation to the Crip Walk. This version involves crossing one leg and making a semi twist with your heels and toes. This also involves a lot of angle work (for example: your right foot must be directed at 90 degrees behind your left foot in order to make that semi twist) and takes a little longer to get the hang of.
- : Another popular version of the Crip Walk, and perhaps the easiest to perform of the three. This version is similar to the Heel-Toe version, but it does not involve a twist. You simply lift one leg and hop with the other leg. This version of the Crip Walk was shown throughout the film '' You Got Served ''.
- : This moveset involves shuffling your feet forwards and backwards.
- In an attempt to distance itself from its gang origin, many people alter the spelling of the Crip Walk to , '''Crypt''', and '''Krip'''. Though it is more commonly referred to as '''The C-Walk'''.
- In websites that promote on how to C-Walk, there are usually links that provide explanatory information on its origins, thus demonstrating that the C-Walk is in fact a symbolic ritual that cannot be done on the streets or in public places.
- As a result of the true nature of the Crip Walk, schools through out the United States (especially) have banned it from being performed on their property. However, staff at various other schools, despite knowing its origins, find themselves amused by its supposedly "comical" perfomance.
- Many gangstas have described the Crip Walk as "A toy that should never be played with". The majority of those who perform it however are not members of any gang under any circumstance. They only want to learn it due to its "cool" appeal, believing it to be nothing more than a dance and not fully comprehending its symbolism, which could get you killed if you are seen doing the walk in front of a Blood Gang member.
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