Hip hop dance is a popular form of movement that blends elements from other dance styles to create a unique and powerful style. While vestiges of modern, tap, and African dance can be found in the genre, it’s truly in a class of its own. It’s also a great way to stay in shape and socialize with friends! According to Stanford Dance, even moderate amounts of dancing can improve your mood and lower your risk of dementia.
Whether you want to be the next flashy, high-energy star of a music video or just want to strut your stuff at a club with friends, hip hop is an amazing dance style to learn. It has a short history, with its beginnings dating back to the 1960s and 70s, but it’s grown to become one of the most diverse dance forms.
Some of the most common forms of hip hop include krumping, popping, and locking. Krumping draws from African American culture and is characterized by powerful movements, such as chest bumping. Popping uses the quick contracting of muscles to create a “jerking” effect and can be used on any part of the body. Locking is similar to popping, except the dancer freezes certain parts of their body for longer periods of time.
Ultimately, hip hop dance is much more than just a style of dance; it represents an entire culture. Many modern shows like America’s Best Dance Crew, Dancing with the Stars, and Step Up have helped to popularize street style movement to younger dancers, but often depict underground Hip Hop culture in a watered-down and commercialized manner. Today, a growing number of dance organizations and community groups are working to reverse this trend by practicing, teaching, and living Hip Hop authentically.