Hip hop dance is one of the most beloved forms of contemporary dance. You can find it taught to both young and old alike in numerous dance studios around town.
Hip hop dance moves have their roots in Reggae and rap, but are more heavily influenced by African Dance and gymnastics. Learn some fun, iconic hip hop dance poses today!
Wobble
The wobble is an entertaining hip hop dance pose that involves swaying your hips and moving your arms in circular motion. Although it may appear straightforward to perform, it’s actually quite complex to master and requires practice to perfect. To start mastering this move, try practicing regularly and watch helpful video tutorials for guidance.
The initial step in the wobble is to jump forward and sway your hips in a circular motion. Afterward, reverse directions by jumping backward. Continue this pattern for four counts or until you feel ready to advance onto the next one.
After some repetitions, you can start adding other moves into your routine. One way to spice things up is by turning your torso to the left while swaying your hips or taking longer steps while moving your arms in a circular motion.
Another hip hop dance move to try is the body roll. This move creates the illusion that your body is floating by bending your arms, chest and back before rolling them over each other.
You can also do a hand roll by twirling them front and back. For an even more difficult variation of this move, extend your arms so that your fingers form a long twirl so you can spin yourself into the air with them!
The wobble is an enjoyable and simple way to add some whimsy to your hip hop dance moves. Although it may seem intimidating at first, with practice you’ll be able to master this dance and incorporate it into your routine in no time!
Body Roll
Body rolling is one of the basic hip hop dance poses and it can be performed while standing or seated, providing some variety to your routine.
This dance pose is popular in a variety of dance genres, such as hip-hop, Zumba and club dancing. Not only does it give you an intense workout while looking good, but it also improves flexibility and balance.
Start a body roll by bending at the knees and pushing your feet forward. Next, push your hips forward, roll your chest out a bit, and finally pop your buttocks.
It may be simple, but perfecting this move takes some practice. The key to this move is fluidity, so be sure to stay relaxed and aim to make it appear effortless.
Another popular hip hop dance pose, the shoulder lean is an effective way to show your style. Depending on where you’re going, you can lean either towards your right or left. For extra flair, you could double leans or add in a head bob for extra interest; however, for maximum effect we suggest sticking with simple moves here.
In most cases, you should time your leans with the music to stay in sync. Doing this gives your dance moves a sense of rhythm – an essential aspect of hip-hop dancing.
The shoulder lean is an attractive and sensuous move to try when dancing with your partner. Not only does it showcase your hips, but it can also add some spice to your solo performance.
Body rolling is an effortless dance move that anyone can learn and master. Not only does it add some spice to their routine, but it’s also an effective way to get in a full-body workout while looking fabulous at the same time!
Break Dancing
Break dancing, also referred to as b-boying or b-girling, is an urban dance form that began in the 1970s among African American and Latino inner city youth in New York City. It quickly gained traction among this community and has since spread around the world.
Breakdancing is an interactive dance and music performance style characterized by the rhythmic beats of hip hop music. A breakdancer’s routine typically consists of toprock (foot movements performed while standing), downrock, power moves and freezes.
Break dancing requires great strength and flexibility, making it a great exercise choice for those looking to stay in shape. Additionally, break dancing provides an enjoyable social activity that can be enjoyed at parties and events.
Break dancing not only offers physical benefits, but it can also boost your self-confidence as you perform for an audience across the floor. Whether performing for friends or in a competitive setting, break dancing is a great way to express yourself creatively and confidently.
Break dancing evolved from the hip hop movement that began in the 1970s and has since gained global acceptance. It is characterized by acrobatic moves, coordination, creativity, style and poses that require your entire body weight – known as freezes.
Break dancing has been adopted into various media, such as movies and television shows. For instance, break dancers have appeared in films such as Fame, Wild Style, Flashdance and Zoolander.
Break dancing has also been featured on popular television programs such as So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Best Dance Crew. In 2018, break dancing was officially recognized as a sport at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Break dancing requires knowledge of how to move your body in rhythm with the music, with various styles such as swagger. Swagger involves fast and powerful moves while hip hop offers a more casual yet funky approach.
Boogaloo
Boogaloo is a vibrant dance style born in Oakland, California during the 1970s. African American youth of Oakland took inspiration from James Brown and The Temptations as well as cartoon characters and sci-fi robots to craft their moves.
Boogaloo eventually evolved into popping, a hip hop dance style known for its isolations of the torso which are usually combined with movement of arms, shoulders and legs.
Boogaloo culture is home to the popular dance style known as b-boying, which involves athleticism in the hips and knees. Also referred to as break dancing or break-boying, this movement was made popular by DJ Kool Herc.
B-boying is the most iconic hip hop dance style associated with boogaloo, but there are other styles within this culturally driven genre as well. Popping and strutting, for instance, require incredible muscular isolation and dexterity across various parts of the body such as arms, neck, torso, and legs to execute successfully.
Sam Solomon created popping in 1976 with his dance group the Electronic Boogaloo Lockers. This style evolved from an earlier form of boogaloo known as “Electric Boogaloo.”
One of the greatest threats to boogaloo’s growth comes from individuals with racist or white supremacist views who attempt to join it. While these individuals may be detected by moderators of related groups or chat rooms, they have also been known to post anonymously on their own blog sites.
In May 2020, three boogaloo adherents were arrested for planning an attack against law enforcement and a Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest in Las Vegas. Their scheme included demolishing an energy substation and blowing up a building near the protest site.
The boogaloo movement has been accused of being a catalyst for a second civil war in America. For instance, one adherent who participated in the Minneapolis riots following George Floyd’s murder fired 13 rounds from his AK-47 into police headquarters’ Third Precinct while people were inside.