The Hustle is a catchall name that refers to several popular disco dances from the 1970s. The Hustle is danced in 4/4 time but counted in “threes”. When Hustle was introduced, it was danced to slower disco music, but as the style became more popular in nightclubs and Discotheques in the United States and Europe the songs became faster. The dance borrows dance steps from latin and swing dancing while having a cool and smooth feel.
The Hustle is a catchall name that refers to several popular disco dances from the 1970s. The dances were rooted in mambo, salsa, and swing. Thus, the dance was often referred to as The Latin Hustle. Today, some refer to the dance as the New York Hustle. The Hustle was developed by Puerto Rican teenagers in the South Bronx at house parties. Their elders objected to a dance called the 500 where teenagers grinded on each other so the Spanish Hustle was born as a reaction. The dance became known as The Hustle after the commercialization of the dance in Saturday Night Fever in 1977 which showed the line and partner forms of the dance.
The Hustle is danced in 4/4 time but counted in “threes”. When Hustle was introduced, it was danced to slower disco music, but as the style became more popular in nightclubs and Discotheques in the United States and Europe the songs became faster. The dance borrows dance steps from latin and swing dancing while having a cool and smooth feel.
Both music and television contributed to the spread of The Hustle in the 1970s. Among other artists creating Hustle music, James Brown released Everybody’s Doin’ the Hustle in 1975. In 1976, music business entrepreneur, Marty Angelou released a show entitled Disco Step-by-Step which included a 10 minute instructional segment that allowed people to learn the Hustle in their living rooms.
