Tecktonik

About

Tecktonik (also known as Electro Dance, also abbreviated as TCK) is a rave/house/disco dance performed mostly in urban French clubs (especially Paris) but whose cultural and stylistic influences incorporate everything from early UK rave to Jumpstyle.

Origin

Tecktonik originates around 2006-2007 as a street/club dance in southern Paris, especially in the Metropolis nightclub.^[1] Unlike Jumpstyle, whose moves are executed predominantly from the lower-body, Tecktonik dance moves are almost purely upper-body, with heavy influences from glowsticking and leading-hand techniques. The dance also draws heavily from early Disco dances with emphasis on dramatic poses and finger-pointing. While Tecktonik dance is primarily focused on jerky arm waving and rotation, hip and footwork play a major role. The hips allow the dancer to maintain balance while performing the required dynamic arm movements which occur, and footwork allows the dancer to add movement to the dance and thus add additional dimensions.

At the peak of Tecktonik popularity, dance and instructional videos began being uploaded to YouTube with many reaching views in the multi-millions. The most popular video is currently a best of… compilation with over 16 million views.

Subculture

Tecktonik fashion draws from a wide variety of teen fads and trends, most notably emo, hip-hop, and retro. Sleeveless hoodies, tight pants and large belt buckles, as well as mohawks and mullets are the norm. Girls typically wear their hair down, with front bangs.

While there is no "official" Tecktonik music, the fashion and dance styles draw heavily from early hip-hop, French House, and Disco. House music is widely considered to be the preferred Tecktonik soundtrack. Among the quintessential Tecktonik songs are "Alive" by Mondotek and the TEPR Remix of "A Cause De Garcons" by pop artist Yelle.

Trademark Issues

When Tecktonik hit it's popularity peak in late 2007, business partners Cyril Blanc and Alexandre Barouzdin, whom work for Paris nightclub Metropolis, filed and received a trademark worldwide on the names "Tecktonik" and the abbreviation "TCK" in relation to club promotions. As a result, any club who wishes to promote using the terms "Tecktonik" or "TCK" must obtain permission and/or pay royalties to Blanc and Barouzdin. They claim to have owned the trademark in France since 2002.^[2]

Insight

While most early traffic originates from France and other European countries, in the past two years there has been a surge of searches for "tecktonik" in Mexico and Mongolia for reasons currently unknown. The popularity of Tecktonik decreases dramatically around the time of the worldwide trademark filing. Further spread has been hindered due to now inherent copyright risks of using the name in association with club promotions and dance parties.

External References

^[1] Wikipedia – Electro Dance

^[2] New York Times – Tecktonik uses Web to market lifestyle born in dance movement