The default Fortnite dance, also known as the “Default Dance,” is not a direct reference to any specific source. It is an original creation by the Fortnite development team and has become one of the most iconic emotes in the game. The dance itself features a series of arm swings and hip movements, accompanied by catchy music. It quickly gained popularity and became synonymous with Fortnite.
However, it is worth mentioning that Fortnite has drawn inspiration from various sources, including popular culture, movies, and real-life dances, to create its emotes. Many emotes in the game pay homage to famous dances, songs, or viral internet trends. This has led to discussions and controversies regarding the appropriation of certain dances without proper credit or compensation.
One such controversy involves the dance known as “The Turk Dance” from the TV show Scrubs. Donald Faison, who portrayed the character Turk in Scrubs, created the dance during the filming of the show. He mentioned in interviews that he made up the dance late one night on set as a spontaneous improvisation. The dance gained popularity among Scrubs fans and became closely associated with Faison’s character.
Unfortunately, Fortnite included a dance emote called “Poison” in the game, which bears a striking resemblance to Faison’s Turk Dance. This has led to accusations that Fortnite creators stole the dance from Scrubs without giving credit to Faison or compensating him for his creation. Faison himself expressed disappointment that his dance, which he created and popularized, has now become primarily associated with Fortnite rather than his character Turk.
The issue of dance appropriation in Fortnite is not limited to Faison’s Turk Dance. There have been similar controversies surrounding other emotes, such as the “Floss” dance, which resembles a dance popularized by a young boy named Russell Horning, also known as “The Backpack Kid.” Many argue that Fortnite should give credit and compensation to the original creators of these dances, as they have played a significant role in the dances’ popularity.
While the default Fortnite dance is an original creation by the game’s developers, Fortnite has faced criticism for appropriating popular dances without proper credit or compensation. The controversy surrounding the inclusion of the Turk Dance from Scrubs highlights the ongoing debate over the ownership and recognition of dances within the gaming industry.