Crip Walk

The Crip Walk, also known as the C-Walk, is a dance move that was created in the 1970s by first generation Crip members^[1] as a method of expression and communication, and has since spread worldwide without its linguistic aspects.^[2]

Crip Walk

An example of the "V Stepback" Crip Walk move
Genre	Hip-hop dance
Year	Early 1970s
Origin	Compton, California, U.S.

Overview

The dance is primarily an act of performing quick and intricate footwork. The rivalry between the Crips and the Bloods spilled over into the world of entertainment, with the adoption of the gang dance by various rappers on the West Coast of the United States, who gave it its name, the Crip Walk. This dance involves the movement of one's feet, classically to the spelling of C-R-I-P. It was used by Crips at parties to display affiliation, particularly vis-a-vis rival gang the Bloods. It was also used after killing someone to give the kill a Crip signature. MTV declined to broadcast any music videos that contained the Crip Walk.^[3]

Examples

• Tennis player Serena Williams performed the walk at the 2012 Summer Olympic tennis tournament after defeating Maria Sharapova in the gold-medal match at Centre Court, Wimbledon.^[4]
• The Super Bowl LVI halftime show in 2022 had a synchronized Crip Walk led by Snoop Dogg.^[5]
• The Super Bowl LIX halftime show in 2025 headlined by Kendrick Lamar featured Serena Williams briefly doing the Crip Walk.^[6]

Documentary

American rapper CJ Mac released a documentary focused on the beginnings of Crip Walk and its rise in popularity entitled "Cwalk: It's a Way of Livin'". It features such rappers as Snoop Dogg, WC and Ice-T along with original members of the Crips.^[7]

See also

• Gangsta Walking