The Paris 2024 organizing committee has decided to place Olympic activities in two major zones – the Central Paris zone and the Greater Paris zone. There will be two zones for the Olympic Marathon will pass many central Parisian monuments, and archery will be held close to the Eiffel Tower on the Esplanade des Invalides, and the road cycling will be through the Champs-Elysees. In addition, athletics events, along with the closing ceremony and opening ceremonies, will be held outside of the central part of Paris, in the Stade de France.
Why is it that break dance should be given an appearance in the 2024 Olympics? It is because the Stade de France – like most in the Greater Paris zone – is situated in Seine-Saint-Denis, which is a region of the suburban fringe of Paris that is reputed as the the birthplace of hip-hop within France. Incorporating an event such as break dancing could not only be a major event for the world of urban culture however, it is crucial to French culture in Paris too.
Hip hop culture is huge in France in general. In fact, the hip-hop marketplace in France is currently the second-largest worldwide following the USA. In the past breaks dancing, hip hop music and graffiti have been especially sought-after in the formerly poor “banlieues” outside many major French cities.
Yet, French politicians have often been concerned about breakdancing. In French hip-hop, you can find a sometimes abrasive criticism of French police officers and politicians. The most prominent rap groups like NTM, Sniper, and La Rumeur have made use of the music of their members to accuse both groups of inequalities and injustices faced by youth living in banlieues.
To change negative perceptions, a number of films, like Jean-Pierre Thorn’s Generation Hip Hop or The Mouv’s of ZUP (1996), Faire Kiffer Les Angs (1997), and On’s Not des Marques of Velo (2003) The films have highlighted how crucial hip hop music has been in providing youngsters in these regions the ability to express themselves powerfully. Thorn’s film La Belle Rebelle, La Belle Rebelle tried to prove that Seine-Saint-Denis regions are characterized by the diversity of their culture and dynamism. The film showcased a variety of performers who are from the disregarded part, as well as famous names like Serge Teyssot-Gay from the band Noir Desir, slam artist Grand Corps Malade, and members of the legendary French rapper group NTM.