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5 Shocking Moments Behind Serena Williams' Controversial 'Crip Walk' Celebration

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The "Serena Crip Walk" is one of the most polarizing and unforgettable moments in sports celebration history, a dance move that has twice ignited a firestorm of discussion across global media. As of this writing in late December 2025, the conversation remains highly relevant, largely due to her recent, high-profile performance of the dance during a major cultural event, cementing its status as a powerful statement beyond a simple victory jig. This article delves deep into the two main instances where the tennis legend performed the controversial dance, examining the cultural context, the initial backlash, and the surprising resurgence of the move that connects her elite career to her roots in Compton, California.

Serena Jameka Williams: A Brief Biography and Career Profile

Serena Jameka Williams is an American former professional tennis player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most impactful athletes of all time. Born on September 26, 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan, she was trained from a young age by her father, Richard Williams, alongside her sister Venus Williams.

  • Full Name: Serena Jameka Williams
  • Born: September 26, 1981 (Saginaw, Michigan, U.S.)
  • Career Span: Professional debut in 1995; retired in 2022.
  • Major Titles: 23 Grand Slam singles titles (an Open Era record), 14 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles (all with Venus Williams), and four Olympic gold medals.
  • Key Achievement: Completed the "Serena Slam" (holding all four Grand Slam titles simultaneously) twice. She also achieved the career Golden Slam (winning all four Grand Slam tournaments and an Olympic Gold Medal).
  • Legacy: Known for revolutionizing women’s tennis with her powerful style of play, athleticism, and mental fortitude.

The 2012 London Olympics: The Original 'Crip Walk' That Shocked the World

The first time Serena Williams brought the Crip Walk to a global, mainstream stage was following one of her most dominant career victories. This moment is critical for understanding the ongoing controversy.

Achieving the Golden Slam

In August 2012, Serena Williams faced Maria Sharapova in the Women's Singles final at the London Olympics, held at Wimbledon. She delivered a stunning performance, defeating Sharapova 6-0, 6-1.

This victory was monumental, as it secured her the career Golden Slam in singles, meaning she had won all four major Grand Slam tournaments (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open) and an Olympic gold medal.

The Celebration Dance

Overcome with emotion and adrenaline, Williams began to dance on the court, celebrating her historic triumph. The dance she performed was instantly recognized by many as the Crip Walk (or "C-Walk"), a dance that originated in the 1970s in Compton, California, and is historically associated with the Crip gang.

The Immediate Backlash and Serena’s Response

The performance sparked a minor but heated controversy. Critics argued that a dance associated with gang culture was inappropriate for the prestigious, international stage of the Olympics. The debate centered on whether the dance was a celebration of hip hop and Black culture, or an insensitive reference to gang violence.

Serena Williams later addressed the critics, stating that she saw the move as a dance that was simply part of her culture and a spontaneous expression of joy. She defended her right to celebrate her heritage and her unprecedented achievement.

The Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show: A Resurgence of the Controversial Move

The "Serena Crip Walk" re-entered the global spotlight with a bang during the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show in February 2024 (or the most recent Super Bowl at the time of the information). This time, the cultural context was even more complex and politically charged.

The Kendrick Lamar Connection

Serena Williams made a surprise cameo during Kendrick Lamar's performance. Lamar, like Williams, has deep roots in Compton, California. The tennis legend appeared on stage and performed the Crip Walk while Lamar was performing his explosive Drake diss track, "Not Like Us."

This moment immediately went viral, generating a new wave of discussion and speculation.

The 'Not Like Us' Context and Speculation

The performance of the Crip Walk during "Not Like Us" led many to interpret the move as a direct, cultural endorsement of Kendrick Lamar's side in the highly publicized rap beef with Drake. The Crip Walk, in this context, was viewed by some as a regional, West Coast sign of solidarity against an East Coast figure.

Furthermore, some online commentators controversially questioned the appropriateness of her performing the Crip Walk, given her marriage to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who is white.

Serena’s Stance: It Was About Compton

Addressing the renewed controversy, Serena Williams clarified the true reason behind her Super Bowl appearance. She stated that she did the Crip Walk because Kendrick Lamar personally asked her to, framing the moment as a celebration of their shared history and connection to Compton.

This explanation refocused the narrative away from the rap beef and back to the idea of the dance as an expression of Black culture and pride in her origins, echoing her defense from the 2012 incident. The moment was a powerful visual statement, connecting the world of elite tennis with the streets of Compton through a single, iconic dance move.

Topical Authority: The Crip Walk in Black and Hip Hop Culture

To understand why the "Serena Crip Walk" generates such intense discussion, one must appreciate the nuanced history of the dance itself. The Crip Walk is not merely a dance; it is a complex cultural artifact.

  • Origin and Evolution: The dance originated in the 1970s and was initially associated with the Crip gang. It involved rapid, intricate foot movements that were sometimes used to spell out gang names or to "mark territory."
  • Mainstream Adoption: Over decades, the Crip Walk evolved into a popular dance move within hip hop culture, particularly on the West Coast. Artists like Snoop Dogg and other figures helped to popularize the move, often separating it from its gang origins and reframing it as a general expression of West Coast pride and Black culture.
  • The Dual Meaning: The controversy surrounding Serena Williams stems from this dual meaning. For some, it is a celebratory, powerful expression of cultural identity and resilience. For others, particularly those unfamiliar with its hip hop evolution, the historical association with gang violence remains a point of contention, especially on a world stage like the Olympics or the Super Bowl.

Ultimately, Serena Williams—a tennis legend and global icon—performing the Crip Walk has forced a necessary dialogue about the boundaries between cultural expression, athletic celebration, and historical context. Her bold choice to reclaim and perform the dance, both in 2012 and more recently in 2024, ensures that the conversation about the Crip Walk and its place in mainstream culture continues to evolve.

serena crip walk
serena crip walk

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