Dap101

ROFL. So, I had a convo earlier with a Baltimore Sun reporter, so I could give my 2-cents on the cultural signifigance for the Michelle to Barack “DAP”. That alone is pretty funny. That I would be a “dap” expert. However, I didn’t want to give my real name. I was told -”we talking about “DAP” not watergate -where anonymous quotes would be appropriate!”. What do you call it when you laugh and sigh at the same time?

Anyways – here’s what I WAS gonna say.

Dap’n or giving dap / pound / fist bumping, has been around forever. According to urbandictionary (which is my bible),

The Dap includes simple to very intricate series of rhythmic hand slaps, clasps, hand and arm gestures exchanged between two persons as a sign of personal greeting, respect and group solidarity. Has origin in greetings developed and practiced by members of Black Power organizations founded in southern California in the early 1970s and then became common place and outlawed practice among African-American draftees and soldiers stateside and abroad during the latter years of the Vietnam War. Was soon adopted by huge duck bill cap, suspender and knicker attired African-American street and club dancers who originated the dance known as “Lockstepping.” Best known Lock Stepper is Fred Barry aka Rerun from the hit 1970s black TV sitcom, “What’s Happenin’?”

To me however it’s a little different of a situation. I think it’s just Michelle and Barack being/showing that they’re hip to the game. They’re relating to the young generation, that they’re not some old fucks. Sure they say “black [skin] don’t crack,” and that they can get away with being even younger looking than they really are, but they’re showing they’re not over the hill. Last month, when Barack “brushed the proverbial -dirt- off his shoulders” [vid] I think that was even more amazing. At least from a hiphop lover perspective.

To me the whole ‘dap’ thing is mainly a sports thing. In sports you see players giving each other dap, you don’t see them being dorks and giving as many high fives.
It’s also -in my opinion, an OCD thing. Come on now, when the Howard Stern’s of the world are being heckled by superfans, I think Howard has officially adopted the dap so he doesn’t get creepy listener germs on his hands.

As far as the pat on the butt (watch the Michelle dap video -it looks like as if Barack pats her on the ass after the dap), there could be many meanings of this. I take it back to Barry Bonds in the playoffs. Pre-fat head roided up, I am referring to when he was on the Pittsburgh Pirates. I recall the Pirates being in the lead in a game, he steals 2nd base, gets up, pats his OWN ass on the butt. The reference? He was saying, we’re kicking “THEIR” ass. That or he had just started sticking steroid injections in his ass, and he had an itch back there.

That’s my best answer… I guess the only other person to ask is Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings.

P.s. Call Me Shawn Stern.

Permalink Posted in: politics, shabooty, shabooty exclusive, word of the day June 5, 2008