Subcultures generates dance forms that show how vibrant those are. Fluid is probably unique to rave culture. Its body movements are smooth, gentle and circular, as if the dancer were walking on clouds or, better, flowing through water. Reflecting electronic dance's multi-level soundscapes, fluid is corporeally multi-layered but not disjointed. It expresses the pleasurable melting of the dancer into hyper-sensorial waves of digital dance music.
Fluid derives from hip-hop's "popping", but trimmed down edgy strokes while keeping its illusionist effects. It socially intersects Black inner-city hip-hop and White suburbia electronica, with the latter appropriating the former into the digitally softer edge of loved-up ecstasy.
Historically, it arguably starts in early 1990s New York City, but almost simultaneously emerged across other US metropolitan areas. It enjoyed its peak around 1998, among teens characteristically dressed as “candy ravers” (athletic jackets, baggy trousers, caps, and later on, pacifiers and Teletubbie bags). With the demise of rave after 9/11, fluid disappeared, and became largely unknown to newer generations of disenfranchised EDM kids.
An iconic example of fluid dancing is given by Eric of LPC (Liquid Pop Collective). Originally from Philadelphia, he moved to Florida where his team teaches the dance. Liquid Eric has produced a few videos, such as this:
Video: LPEric at Space, Philadelphia 1999
