Hip-Hop
may be one of the hottest genres in music, but it has received a chilly reception
in the world of ice dancing. However,
that may change if four-time U.S. ice dance champions Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto
have a say. Belbin
and Agosto are recognized world-wide as one of the top American couples in ice
dancing. The
2006 Olympic silver medalists recently captured a bronze medal at the 2006 world
championships. The
pair incorporated music from Justin Timberlake during their routine Friday night
(April 6) at the Marshalls Showcase, the final event of the figure skating season.
The positive
crowd reaction reinforced Belbin and Agosto’s belief that ice-skating audiences
are ready to hear new music from skaters. ”We’re
trying to push Hip-Hop and it’s never been accepted in the current international
community,” Belbin told the San Diego Union Tribune. ”Hopefully someday
we’ll be able to spice up the competitions. ‘We
meet after the world championships every year and talk about the regulations for
next season. We need more North American teams trying it before we can get it
accepted,” she added.Although
changes in ice dance have been slow, there has been progress over the last decade.
”It’s
difficult, because we’re young and a new generation and this is what we listen
to and dance to,” said Belbin, who remains positive in spite of the uphill battle
to have Hip-Hop accepted. ”It’s tough to be deprived of it.”While
the International Skating Union has encouraged skaters to try something from their
culture, the governing body has provided no guidelines, as evidenced by news that
the original dance for next season will be folk music. There
are few parameters offered on what defines folk. ”We’re
trying to expand the audience of our sport and Hip-Hop is a huge part of our culture,”
said Agosto. “We’d love to tap into it.”Belbin
and Agosto are currently on tour with Champions on Ice. After the tour, the duo
will take a break and work on new routines that could include more Hip-Hop.
