5 Reasons Why Serena Williams’ Crip Walk Is The Most Controversial Celebration In Sports History

Serena Williams’ Crip Walk is a celebratory dance that has twice exploded into a global news story, transcending the world of tennis to ignite debates about culture, geography, and the appropriation of street dance. The simple footwork, performed by one of the greatest athletes of all time, has become a flashpoint for discussing Black cultural expression and its place on the world stage, most recently in a high-profile 2024 Super Bowl appearance.

The dance first gained worldwide attention in 2012, and then again over a decade later, proving that the move remains a powerful symbol. This article dives deep into the two key moments, the history of the C-Walk, and why Serena Williams continues to proudly embrace a move rooted in her Compton, California heritage.

Serena Jameka Williams: A Brief Biography and Career Profile

Serena Jameka Williams is an American former professional tennis player widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. Her career is defined by power, longevity, and a record-setting number of major titles.

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• Born: September 26, 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan.
• Parents: Richard Williams and Oracene Price.
• Sister: Venus Williams (also a legendary professional tennis player).
• Hometown/Upbringing: Compton, California, where she and her sister learned to play tennis on public courts.
• Professional Debut: 1995 (at age 14).
• Grand Slam Singles Titles: 23 (an Open Era record).
• Career Grand Slam: Achieved the career Grand Slam (winning all four majors—Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open).
• Olympic Medals: Four Gold Medals (one singles, three doubles with Venus Williams).
• Golden Slam: She is one of only two women in history (alongside Steffi Graf) to achieve the "Career Golden Slam" (winning all four Grand Slam tournaments plus the Olympic Gold Medal in singles).
• Retirement: Played her final professional match at the 2022 US Open.

The 2012 London Olympics: The Birth of a Viral Celebration

The first time the world saw Serena Williams perform the controversial dance was on the hallowed grass of Wimbledon in London, England. The moment was historic, making the celebration even more impactful.

1. The Historic Golden Slam Victory

On August 4, 2012, Serena Williams defeated Russia's Maria Sharapova in the Olympic singles final at the London Games. The victory was a crushing, one-sided affair, with Williams winning 6-0, 6-1, marking the most lopsided women's final in Olympic history.

This win secured her first Olympic singles gold medal and, more importantly, completed the rare "Career Golden Slam." She joined Steffi Graf as the only women to achieve this monumental feat, solidifying her legacy as an all-time great.

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2. The Dance and the Immediate Backlash

In the moments immediately following the final point, overwhelmed with emotion and triumph, Williams performed a distinctive, intricate footwork dance. Media outlets and commentators quickly identified the move as the Crip Walk, or C-Walk.

The Crip Walk is a street dance that originated in the 1970s in South Central Los Angeles and was initially associated with the Crip gang. Performing the dance on a global stage like the Olympics immediately drew criticism. Critics argued that the dance, with its historical ties to gang culture and violence, was inappropriate for a prestigious international event.

However, supporters countered that the dance had evolved beyond its gang origins to become a form of cultural expression, particularly for those from areas like Compton, where Williams grew up. For many, it was a proud nod to her roots, a spontaneous burst of authentic joy after a career-defining achievement.

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The Crip Walk: History, Culture, and Controversy

To understand the depth of the controversy, one must appreciate the complex history of the Crip Walk. The dance is not merely a set of steps; it is a cultural artifact with layered meanings.

3. The Dual Origins of the C-Walk

The dance’s identity is split between two narratives, both rooted in the Black community of Los Angeles:

• The Gang Origin: The most widely known history states the C-Walk was created in the 1970s by first-generation members of the Crip gang in South Central Los Angeles. It was reportedly used as a method of expression, sometimes performed over the graves of rival gang members (Bloods) or to spell out gang names. This association is the primary source of its controversial status.
• The Disabled History Origin: A lesser-known but compelling origin story suggests the "Crip" in Crip Walk was named after Henry "Crip" Heard, a Black double amputee and dancer from Los Angeles in the 1970s. Heard, who lost his right arm and leg in an accident, created a unique dance style, and the name "Crip" was a reference to his disability. This narrative frames the dance as a powerful expression of resilience and disability history, entirely separate from gang affiliation.

Regardless of the true origin, by the time Serena Williams performed it, the C-Walk had already evolved into a global street dance phenomenon, often featured in hip-hop music videos and popular culture, shedding its singular gang identity for a broader cultural one.

The 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show: A Fresh Cultural Statement

Over a decade after her Olympic moment, Williams brought the Crip Walk back into the spotlight, this time on one of the biggest pop culture stages in the world, the Super Bowl Halftime Show.

4. The Kendrick Lamar Connection in 2024

In 2024, tennis legend Serena Williams made a surprise cameo during Compton native Kendrick Lamar's performance at the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show. The moment was highly publicized, as Williams performed the Crip Walk while Lamar performed his hit track "Not Like Us." The song itself is a high-profile "diss track" aimed at rapper Drake, sparking immediate speculation about Williams' intentions.

The context of the performance was a clear celebration of Los Angeles and Compton culture. Both Williams and Lamar share deep roots in the city, and the dance was seen by many as a powerful, unified statement of cultural pride and shared heritage.

5. Serena's Clarification and Ownership of the Narrative

Following the Super Bowl performance, Williams was once again thrust into the center of a cultural discussion. She was forced to address the speculation that the dance was a deliberate jab at her ex-boyfriend, Drake, given the nature of the song.

In a subsequent interview, Williams firmly dismissed the speculation, stating that the Crip Walk was simply a request from Kendrick Lamar and was not directed at anyone, especially not Drake. She clarified that for her, the dance is a cultural celebration, a personal expression of where she comes from, and a nod to her roots in Compton, California.

Serena Williams’ repeated use of the Crip Walk—from the pinnacle of her athletic career in 2012 to a major cultural moment in 2024—serves as a powerful statement. She has consistently reclaimed the move, defining it not as a symbol of gang affiliation, but as a vibrant, authentic expression of Black culture and a proud salute to her challenging, yet formative, upbringing in Compton. By embracing the C-Walk, Williams reinforces her commitment to staying true to her identity, regardless of the criticism from mainstream media or the public.