Pop dance is a style of street dance that uses sudden tensing and releasing (known as hitting) to the rhythm of beats in music. It is most commonly done standing up and can range from a robotic and stiff to fluid and gravity defying. It also incorporates a variety of poses and illusionary styles such as floating, electric boogaloo and tutting. A dancer who performs popping is often referred to as a “popper”.
Popping was invented in the late 1960’s and 70’s and originated among groups of teenage friends who would come up with moves, practice them, and then show off their routines at clubs and dance battles. The dancers’ use of angles, mime style movements and facial expressions give the movement its unique character and set it apart from other dance styles such as breaking and locking.
Popping is usually done to funk and disco music but it has been incorporated in hip hop and electronic dance as well. Its improvisational nature allows the dancer to personalize their performance and create new variations of old and popular moves.
The 2010s saw an increase in dance-pop that blended pop music with a heavier electronic influence and bass-heavy drum beats. Artists like Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Dua Lipa dominated the charts during this time.
