Twerking, lowriders shut down Route 66 in New Mexico

The Kimo Theater is seen on historic Route 66 in downtown Albuquerque, N.M., Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A hip-hop video shoot shut down parts of Route 66 in New Mexico last weekend because lowriders were driving around in circles as a crowd of hundreds twerked in the street.

The filming in downtown Albuquerque Sunday triggered a long block party Sunday night, snarling traffic and confusing motorists amid the neon lights and the city's historic buildings.

The crew filming hip-hop artist Jandro took advantage of the unexpected, spontaneous party scene by shooting footage of the festivities, videographer Editz Macias said in an interview on Tuesday.

"The whole situation just got bigger than what we expected so we went where the footage was," Macias said.

Albuquerque police said Jandro did not have permits needed to shoot the video along blocks of Route 66 that go through Albuquerque, but Macias said permits were obtained to film in front of one shop.

Officers decided to close off parts of the Mother Road because of the lowriders and the street dancing.

A video posted by the website ABQ Raw shows lowriders bouncing along Route 66 and children and adults cycling on custom-lowrider bicycles as people twerked.

The crowd ended up numbering about 300 people, said Albuquerque police spokesman Tanner Tixier. No arrests were made and no citations were issued during the peaceful event.

Macias said "it was nice to see families coming together on a summer night."