In the early 1980s, freestyle dancing or street dancing broke into the mainstream thanks in part to Los Angeles' vibrant dance scene. Since then, it has grown and evolved. A whole new crop of talent has emerged, including 14-year-old Hannah Rodriguez — also known as Hannah Pop — whose dad is one of the original pioneers of this improvisational dance style.
Hannah said every freestyle dancer needs to have base moves that they identify with.
"It is like how you add things to your car. You have to pick your engine, and my engine is popping. I started out with popping, and then I break out with blacking, breaking, bone-breaking. You just vibe with people, and you learn things on the way."
The freestyle dance community in LA is very supportive and focuses on unity rather than competition.
"It is more loving than competitive. Everybody needs to get up there; everybody needs to show their talent because some places are like, 'Oh yeah, I'll show your talent, but I'll also bite your stuff.' But out here, it's more of a loving type of community and more of a family because everybody knows how hard it is to get out there as a freestyle dancer," Hannah said.
Hannah's father is one of the biggest influencers in the freestyle dance community.
"I started when I was 4 years old. The films that I was actually given an opportunity and was blessed to be involved in the 80s movie 'Breakin',' which was, you know, a huge hit. And then the sequel, which was 'Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo.' And then, from there, I was able to do TV shows, commercials, international commercials. Watching her just brings back many memories because that's where I first got my exposure was on Hollywood Boulevard," said Hannah's father, Vidal 'Coco' Rodriguez.
When Hannah was 4 years old, she watched her father perform in a recreation center, which is when she first showed interest in freestyle dancing.
"Before the show began, my son and I were rehearsing. Then Hannah tugged me on my shirt and said she could make these moves too. So she did a cute movement, and in that instant, I added her to the show. From there, what I saw was the fact that she was interested in something she knew nothing about, and she was brave enough to do it," Rodriguez added.
Having a solid support system has been something that has helped Hannah grow as a freestyle dancer.
"To have parents that will encourage you all the way, that are willing to take me out two hours to LA to street perform and battles, even if I lose. They still support me 100% of the way. It is not even a win or lose is more you learn, you learn, you learn. You keep learning, and you'll get somewhere," Hannah said.
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