How did Savion Glover’s free-form hard core style draw on funk and hip-hop?

Savion Glover developed his distinct "free-form hard core" style by rooting his tap dance technique in the specific rhythms of funk and hip-hop.1

This style, often referred to as "hitting," emphasizes a unique, pounding approach to the dance form. By integrating these modern musical influences, Glover moved beyond traditional tap aesthetics, utilizing his background as a drummer to treat his feet as percussion instruments that create sound using all parts of the foot. This innovative fusion was central to his acclaimed work in the musical Bring in ’da Noise, Bring in ’da Funk, which helped revitalize tap for a new generation. While he experimented with these contemporary genres, Glover simultaneously maintained a deep respect for the history of the art form, often acknowledging the contributions of past masters.21