Long before it gained popularity on social media platforms and in urban dance battles, tutting had already established itself as a distinct and visually captivating dance form. Known for its sharp, geometric movements that often mimic the angles seen in ancient Egyptian art, tutting has fascinated dancers and audiences alike. While many associate it with modern street dance culture, its roots stretch further back than most people realize. Understanding when tutting was invented means exploring not only the evolution of dance but also the blend of history, art, and innovation that shaped this unique style.
Origins of Tutting
Inspired by Ancient Egypt
The concept of tutting draws heavily from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and artwork. The dance style’s name itself is derived from King Tutankhamun, one of Egypt’s most famous pharaohs. Dancers began mimicking the angular poses and hand gestures seen in Egyptian wall art, leading to the birth of what would later be recognized as ‘tutting.’
Although the ancient Egyptians did not ‘invent’ tutting in the way it is practiced today, their influence played a crucial role in the visual aesthetic. This foundational inspiration is what gives tutting its timeless, almost ritualistic quality, and makes it stand apart from other street dance forms.
The Street Dance Revolution of the 1980s
Modern tutting officially emerged as a distinct style in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It evolved out of the broader breakdancing and popping movements that were gaining popularity in the United States, particularly in urban centers like Los Angeles and New York City. Street dancers began experimenting with precise arm, wrist, and finger movements that resembled the stiff poses found in ancient Egyptian depictions.
During this time, tutting was not yet mainstream. It was primarily seen in underground dance battles, community events, and dance crews who were pushing the boundaries of popping and animation styles. While many dancers may have experimented with angular movements, a select few began to define tutting as its own technique.
Key Figures in Tutting’s Development
Fresno Dance Scene
The Central Valley of California, especially Fresno, became a hub for popping and its substyles, including tutting. Dancers like Skeeter Rabbit and members of the Electric Boogaloos contributed significantly to the formation of styles that inspired and incorporated tutting. Though not always performing ‘pure’ tutting, these dancers laid the groundwork for sharp, isolated movements that tutting would later emphasize.
King Tut Style
The term King Tut became synonymous with tutting in the early years, often used by dancers who performed angular, grid-like hand and arm gestures. This nickname helped solidify the connection between the style and ancient Egyptian imagery. Dancers who specialized in King Tut moves gained local fame in the 1980s and helped define the style’s identity.
Animation and Finger Tutting
As the dance evolved, substyles such as finger tutting emerged. This intricate form involves detailed movements of the fingers and hands, often performed in confined spaces. Dancers like JayFunk and Pnut became popular in the 2000s and 2010s for pushing finger tutting into viral territory, introducing the style to global audiences through commercials and online videos.
Tutting in Pop Culture
Television and Music Videos
Tutting began gaining widespread recognition when it was featured in music videos and television performances. Michael Jackson, known for incorporating various street dance elements, included tutting-style movements in his routines during the 1980s and 1990s. These performances introduced mainstream audiences to the dance form, though they might not have known it by name.
More recently, TV shows like So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Best Dance Crew showcased tutting routines, giving the style a broader platform and encouraging more dancers to experiment with its form. Choreographers began blending tutting with other dance styles, proving its versatility and visual impact.
Online Dance Communities
The rise of YouTube and TikTok has been instrumental in spreading tutting to newer generations. Online platforms allowed dancers from all over the world to share their routines, tutorials, and freestyles. Videos showcasing finger tutting and intricate combinations went viral, particularly those that featured synchronized visual illusions and creative storytelling.
Why Tutting Stands Out
Precision and Geometry
What makes tutting unique among street dance styles is its emphasis on straight lines, angles, and symmetrical shapes. Unlike more fluid forms of dance, tutting relies on extreme control and awareness of body positioning. The dancer’s arms, wrists, and fingers become tools for creating architectural patterns in motion.
Fusion with Technology and Visual Effects
Tutting is especially well-suited for integration with digital technology. Motion graphics, augmented reality, and LED effects enhance tutting performances, turning them into multimedia spectacles. This synergy between human movement and digital design continues to push the style forward.
Modern Innovations in Tutting
Freestyle Evolution
Contemporary dancers often fuse tutting with other street styles such as waving, gliding, and robot. This creates dynamic routines that incorporate the structure of tutting with the freedom of other movements. Some choreographers even blend contemporary or ballet elements with tutting for theatrical stage performances.
Battle Culture and Competitions
Tutting has carved out its place in the competitive dance scene. From one-on-one battles to group showcases, tutting now appears in international competitions where creativity and technical skill are highly prized. Judges look for originality, clarity of lines, musicality, and storytelling ability all hallmarks of effective tutting.
When Was Tutting Invented?
While it’s difficult to pinpoint a single date for when tutting was invented, the style as we know it began taking shape in the late 1970s and early 1980s within the street dance communities of California. Inspired by ancient Egyptian art and fueled by the creativity of early poppers and animation dancers, tutting evolved into a unique genre defined by sharp, geometric movements. It has since continued to grow through television, digital media, and international dance culture. Today, tutting stands as both a tribute to history and a modern art form that continues to challenge the limits of precision, imagination, and rhythm.