Remember the sixth grade dance, in the auditorium? They brought down the lights and the DJ played some Janet Jackson and Boyz II Men and MC Hammer, and everyone was dancing the slow dance holding one another at arm's length, swaying like puppets on strings. The real forward girl was outside in the bushes making out with someone, a huge deal, and the shy kids were lined up against the wall working up the courage to ask someone to dance. Then Lil Suzy came on. Uh-oh:
For an excellent analysis of the legacy and state of freestyle, or "Latin hip-hop," see this post at Sound Taste. And this piece in New Times Broward-Palm Beach, and this post at Four Four.
* Previously, "From a lost New York to a cha cha L.A., freestyle romance."