Earl “Snakehips” Tucker was an African American dancer and entertainer. Also known as the “Human Boa Constrictor”, he acquired the nickname “snakehips” via the dance he popularized in Harlem in the 1920s called the “snakehips”
Tucker frequented Harlem music clubs and was a regular at the Savoy Ballroom. He built his reputation by exhibiting his odd style of dance, which involved a great deal of hip motion. Tucker would make it appear that he was as flexible as a snake, and eventually, the dance became his calling card. He became popular enough to eventually perform at Connie’s Inn and the Cotton Club. The snakehips dates back to southern plantations before emancipation.Â
Earl “Snake Hips” Tucker doing his Eccentric Dance Act.
