Hip-hop dance encompasses the street dance styles that emerged alongside hip-hop music culture, evolving from 1970s Bronx block parties to become one of the world’s most popular and commercially influential dance forms.
Historical Styles
Old School (1970s-1980s):
- Breaking (B-boying/B-girling): Power moves, freezes, toprock, downrock
- Popping: Muscle contractions creating “pop” effect (Boogaloo Sam, 1970s)
- Locking: Freeze poses in funky positions (Don Campbell, 1969)
- Waacking: Arm movements, poses, catwalk elements (1970s LA gay club scene)
New School (1990s-2000s):
- Krumping: Aggressive, energetic (Tight Eyez, 2000s LA)
- Jerkin’: Bouncy, reject-style (2009 LA)
- Memphis Jookin: Footwork-focused (Memphis, TN)
- Turf Dancing: Oakland-based storytelling dance
Cultural Evolution
1970s-1980s: Birth in Bronx, spread through NYC
1990s: Commercialization via music videos (Janet Jackson, MC Hammer, Missy Elliott)
2000s: America’s Best Dance Crew, Step Up movies mainstream it
2010s: YouTube tutorials democratize learning
2020s: TikTok makes hip-hop moves standard Gen Z vocabulary
Music Video Choreography
Iconic choreographed moments:
- Michael Jackson - “Thriller,” “Beat It,” “Smooth Criminal” (moonwalk)
- Janet Jackson - “Rhythm Nation,” “If” (military precision)
- Missy Elliott - “Work It,” “Get Ur Freak On” (innovative concepts)
- Ciara - “1, 2 Step,” “Goodies” (crunk&b dance)
- Beyoncé - “Single Ladies,” “Crazy in Love” (powerful feminine energy)
These videos brought street dance styles to mass audiences.
Competition Culture
Key competitions:
- Battle of the Year (BOTY): International breaking competition (since 1990)
- Freestyle Session: LA-based breaking battles
- World of Dance: Multi-style competition (TV show 2017-2020)
- Hip Hop International: Global organization with world championships
Competition culture drives technical innovation and style evolution.
Commercial & Studio Dance
“Studio hip-hop” emerged as sanitized, commercialized version:
- Taught in dance studios nationwide
- More ballet/jazz-influenced technique
- Less street authenticity, more performance-oriented
- Dominates So You Think You Can Dance, dance competition reality TV
Tension: Street dancers vs. studio-trained dancers debate authenticity
Global Spread
Hip-hop dance went global:
- France: World’s top breaking nation (B-boy Lilou, crew Vagabond)
- South Korea: K-pop incorporates hip-hop choreography heavily
- Japan: Massive street dance culture
- Philippines: Jabbawockeez, other crews achieve international fame
The Olympics added Breaking as official sport (2024 Paris Olympics).
Education & Studios
Growth of hip-hop dance education:
- Dance studios added hip-hop classes (1990s-2000s)
- Universities offer hip-hop dance courses
- YouTube tutorials made learning accessible
- Online communities (Instagram, TikTok) share moves globally
This democratization accelerated style evolution and cross-pollination.
Cultural Appropriation Debates
Ongoing tension:
- Black creators often uncredited when moves go viral
- White/non-Black dancers profit from Black-created styles
- TikTok amplifies appropriation issues (algorithm favors white creators)
Movements like #BlackTikTokStrike (2021) addressed these issues directly.
Legacy & Future
Hip-hop dance is now global cultural infrastructure:
- Taught in schools worldwide
- Professional career path (choreographers, backup dancers, competition circuit)
- Influences other dance styles (contemporary, jazz-funk)
- Constantly evolving through new generations
From underground street culture to Olympic sport—hip-hop dance achieved complete mainstream legitimization while maintaining street credibility through battle culture.
Sources:
Hip Hop Dance Conservatory
Red Bull BC One Archives
The Guardian - Hip-Hop Dance Goes Global