Top 7 Black Male Dancers in Ballet, Contemporary & Hip-Hop

Black male dancers have long been pillars of innovation and brilliance in the dance world, redefining the art itself and leaving a powerful mark on the industry. Their movements go beyond the stage, embodying resilience, passion, and artistry that inspire generations and challenge conventions.

Let’s explore the work and achievements of some of the most exceptional Black male dancers, celebrating their transformative impact on dance.

List of Best Black Male Dancers

1: Desmond Richards

Desmond Richardson is celebrated for his remarkable versatility across various dance styles, including classical, modern, hip-hop, classical ballet, and contemporary ballet. An acclaimed American dancer and actor, he currently serves as the co-founder and co-artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Richardson made history as the first African American to become the principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, and The New York Times has praised him as one of the greatest dancers of his time.

Born in 1968, Richardson discovered his passion for dance at a block party when he was just 10 years old. In 1994, he co-founded Complexions Contemporary Ballet with Dwight Rhoden.

Throughout his career, Richardson has been a principal dancer and guest artist with various esteemed dance companies, including the Frankfurt Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Bolshoi Theatre, Royal Swedish Opera Ballet, Mariinsky Theatre, Teatro alla Scala, Washington Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet, among others.

He has also been awarded the Capezio Award, Ailey Apex Award, L.A. Ovation Award, Bessie Award, YoungArts Alumni Award, and recently, the Roosevelt “Rosey” Thompson Award.

2: Lil Buck

Specializing in jookin—a style of street dance rooted in Memphis—Lil Buck is an award-winning performing artist, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for the arts and humanities. Renowned for his mastery in Memphis Jookin’, ballet, hip-hop, and modern dance, Lil Buck first gained widespread recognition when director Spike Jonze recorded his interpretive performance of The Dying Swan with cellist Yo-Yo Ma on a cell phone. Jonze uploaded the video to YouTube, where it garnered over three million views by November 2015.

Born in 1988, Lil Buck studied ballet on scholarship at the New Ballet Ensemble (NBE) in Memphis, where he trained for two years.

Throughout his career, Lil Buck has performed alongside some of the world’s most renowned artists and brands, including Yo-Yo Ma, Madonna, Alicia Keys, Janelle Monáe, and Lizzo, as well as collaborating with global brands such as Nike, Chanel, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Apple, Jordan, Lexus, and Gap.

3: Calvin Royal III

Calvin Royal III is only the third Black dancer to achieve the position of principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). He is known for his creative discipline and his ability to infuse iconic roles with his unique perspective.

Royal’s journey began at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he first placed his hands on the ballet barre at age 14. In 2019, he made history with Misty Copeland as the first Black duo in ABT to perform lead roles together in Alexei Ratmansky’s restaging of Harlequinade. Later that year, in his debut as the title character in Balanchine’s Apollo, The New York Times described him as “suddenly the most elegant male dancer in the company.”

Royal has performed in numerous ABT productions, including Swan Lake, Manon, Fancy Free, Apollo, and Romeo & Juliet, and he has collaborated with distinguished choreographers such as Twyla Tharp, Mark Morris, Wayne McGregor, and Kyle Abraham.

4: Fabrice Calmels

Fabrice Calmels is one of the famous Black male dancers and models, renowned for his distinctive style and artistic flair. He rose to prominence as a lead dancer with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, Illinois, where he delivered extraordinary performances, including his notable portrayal of Apollo in 2004. Calmels holds the Guinness World Record for the Tallest Ballet Dancer in the World, further solidifying his unique place in the world of dance.

Beyond ballet, Calmels has expanded his artistic reach into acting and modeling. In 2021, he appeared as “Claude” in the Fox television series The Big Leap. His television presence extends to multiple dance performances and interviews, including his contribution to the documentary Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance.

While still actively performing with the Joffrey Ballet, Calmels dedicates time to choreography, acting, and promoting dance education as a board member of the Dizzy Feet Foundation. His early passion for acting also led to his involvement in musical theater productions, enriching his versatile artistic career.

In addition to his professional ballet work, Calmels has collaborated with regional dance companies, supported their productions, and served as a judge for talent shows, including the national television hit So You Think You Can Dance. He has also produced and choreographed music videos, further broadening his impact on the performing arts.

5: Savion Glover

Savion Glover is a renowned tap dancer, choreographer, and actor known for his innovative contributions to the art of tap dancing. He developed a distinctive style called “freestyle hardcore,” which blends hard, percussive “hitting” with quick, intricate steps and mesmerizing rhythms. Glover describes his approach as “young and funk,” a fresh evolution of traditional tap.

Born in 1973, Glover began his career in childhood, becoming the youngest person to receive a scholarship from the Newark Community School of the Arts. His early influences include legendary tappers such as Lon Chaney, Jimmy Slyde, Chuck Green, and Buster Brown. While his initial moves reflected these old-school moves, Glover soon transformed their foundations into his signature style.

A Tony Award-winning dancer and choreographer, Glover’s talents have graced a variety of platforms. He has appeared on Sesame Street, Monday Night Football, and voiced a character in the animated film Happy Feet.

Beyond the stage, Glover dedicates himself to inspiring the next generation. Through his production company, he tours schools nationwide, promoting tap dancing and sharing its cultural significance. His impact continues to resonate, securing his legacy as one of the most influential figures in tap dance history.

6: Arthur Mitchell

Arthur Mitchell (1934–2018) was an expert classical ballet dancer, choreographer, and visionary leader in the world of dance. In 1955, he shattered barriers by becoming the first African American dancer with the New York City Ballet, where he was later promoted to principal dancer. His talent, artistry, and determination redefined the possibilities for Black dancers in the classical ballet world.

Confronting the prejudice against Black performers in ballet, Mitchell sought to create opportunities for others. In 1969, he founded the Dance Theatre of Harlem, the first African-American classical ballet company, alongside a training school to nurture young talent. This groundbreaking institution became a beacon of inclusion and excellence in the arts.

Mitchell’s extraordinary contributions earned him numerous accolades, including recognition as a MacArthur Fellow, induction into the National Museum of Dance’s Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Hall of Fame, the United States National Medal of Arts, and a Fletcher Foundation fellowship. His legacy endures as a sign of resilience and innovation in the world of dance.

7: Alvin Ailey

Alvin Ailey (1931–1989) was an iconic choreographer, dancer, director, and activist whose dance fused elements of theater, modern dance, ballet, and jazz. Known for his energetic performances, Ailey’s style featured expressive hand movements, contracted muscles creating forceful and angular lines, and dynamic leaps and turns that spanned large distances. His innovative artistry redefined modern dance and earned him a distinguished place in the pantheon of Black male dancers.

As a visionary activist, Ailey founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) and its affiliated Alvin Ailey American Dance Center (now the Ailey School), dedicated to Black artists and shared the universal experiences of African-American culture through dance. His dedication to inclusion and artistic excellence made AAADT a global symbol of diversity in the arts.

Ailey’s choreography continues to inspire, with his masterpiece Revelations recognized as one of the most popular and frequently performed ballets worldwide. His enduring influence has left an indelible mark on dance, ensuring his legacy as both an artist and advocate.