WHAT IS THE WALK CRIP, SERENA WILLIAMS DANCE IN THE SUPER BOWL
The Super Bowl is not only a sporting event, but a global platform where music, entertainment and memorable moments merge, leaving a mark on popular culture. In the 2025 edition, one of the gestures that quickly captured the attention of the public was the peculiar dance of Serena Williams, who surprised during Kendrick Lamar's performance. The tennis champion suggested her most spontaneous side, without anticipating the controversy that would arise. A seemingly harmless gesture, but that unleashed an avalanche of debates about the meaning of the “walk” cry and its historical context.
The “Walk Crip”, also known as “C-Walk”, is a dance deeply linked to the world of hip-hop and, in particular, to the Los Angeles gangs, especially the famous Crips band. Since the end of the 90s, this dance has been both an expression of attitude as a symbol of pride for those who adopt it. However, its appearance in an event as global as the Super Bowl, surrounded by celebrities and millions of viewers, has generated doubts about the suitability in that scenario of a dance with such a complex past.
Cultural appropriation, a spontaneous gesture, a provocation?
In the center of the controversy, the figure of Serena Williams became a magnet for reactions. The tennis star, when executing the “Walk Crip”, transferred the dance to a mass audience, causing many to question if it was a form of cultural appropriation or simply a gesture of joy. Its action, full of energy and spontaneity, seemed to be in tune with the festive atmosphere that characterizes the Super Bowl, but not everyone saw it in the same way.
The “Walk Crip”, originated in the Los Angeles neighborhoods in the 70s, began as a distinctive sign of the crips gang. It consisted of a series of fast feet movements, initially used as a secret language among gang members. With the passage of time, this dance left its exclusive link with the streets and became a phenomenon of hip-hop culture, especially in rap. In this process, the “C-Walk” was reinterpreted, adopted and, in some cases, claimed as an expression of cultural resistance to social adversities.
A dance censored for its connotations
The reaction in social networks soon arrived, and the opinions were quickly divided. For many, Williams's gesture was seen as a form of cultural appropriation. Although dance has evolved, it remains a representation of violence and marginality associated with gangs. In Los Angeles, the “Walk” has been censored several times due to its links with crime, although others have claimed it as a symbol of overcoming and resistance to violence.
However, there were also those who defended Serena, arguing that their intention was not to promote any relationship with gangs, but simply enjoy the moment. Far from that violent context, its gesture could have been interpreted as a fun sample, aligned with the nature of an event so loaded with a show. Many considered that the “Walk” became a way to merge sport with music in an informal and authentic way.
Serena Williams' dance was transformed, then, more than a simple gesture in a global scenario. It was a cultural phenomenon that unleashed a deeper reflection on the meaning of expressions in American society. The “Walk Crip”, which was born in the streets of Los Angeles, spread beyond its origins and became a symbol of discussion and reflection. A gesture that, although made at a time of celebration, invites you to question the social and cultural implications of each act, even the most innocent.
