Locking
Also known as: Campbellocking
History & Cultural Context
Locking is a funk style created by Don Campbell in Los Angeles around 1969–1970. It is defined by the 'lock'—a sudden, brief freeze in the middle of fast, loose movement—combined with points, claps, wrist rolls, and an exaggerated, crowd-engaging, comedic performance quality. Spread widely by Campbell's group The Lockers and by Soul Train, it became one of the foundational funk/street styles later embraced within hip-hop culture.
Cultural Significance
A foundational African-American funk style with a specific originator (Don Campbell) and originating LA community.
Characteristic Movement & Technique
Locks (sudden freezes), points, claps, wrist rolls, splits, and big charismatic performance.
Partnering Dynamics
Solo and crew; battle and routine.
Competitive Context
Battles, showcases, and crew routines; staple of street-dance competitions.
Regional Variations
Originated in LA; practiced worldwide.
Common Misconceptions
Locking is its own named style with a known creator—not a generic 'old-school hip-hop' move; it predates hip-hop and arose in funk culture.
Dance Lineage
Track Your Locking Progress
Practice Locking figures between lessons with Figure Focus — step-by-step breakdowns, floor diagrams, and progress tracking. Free to use.
Sources & Further Reading
Cultural & Historical Context
Locking emerged from Los Angeles, United States during the 1969s—present day. Understanding the cultural roots, musical traditions, and social circumstances of this era enriches appreciation for the dance's characteristics and significance.
Primary Source Documents
The Library of Dance contains public-domain primary sources for dance history. Copyrighted modern syllabi are indexed with purchase links to their respective copyright owners. Search by dance name or codifier to discover primary source documents.
Last reviewed: June 2026 — This dance profile synthesizes historical research, cultural documentation, and contemporary practice knowledge to provide authoritative context.
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