How to Hip Hop Dance? Styles, Steps & Top Hip Hop Songs

Would you like to learn how to hip hop dance? You have found the right place. This comprehensive guide is designed specifically for dancers who want to immerse themselves in the world of hip-hop.

It covers everything a beginner needs to know about how to hip hop dance, including five distinct styles and the best hip-hop dance songs. It will help you make informed decisions about your hip-hop dance experiences.

What Is Hip Hop Dance?

Before learning how to hip hop dance, it is important to understand its origins and terms. Hip-hop dance originated in New York City in the 1970s and represents creativity and freedom of movement. It was founded by lower-income communities who could not afford formal lessons, and it has grown into a platform for many dancers to express their creativity.

Hip-hop dance is also known as street style, zoo, and fusion dance. It is a popular choice for dancers because of its fluidity and dynamic movements.

5 Hip Hop Dance Styles

Learn how to hip-hop dance, a diverse genre that combines elements from various dance styles, which are listed below:

1: Freestyle

Freestyle hip-hop involves improvised movements to the rhythm and beat of the music. Dancers express themselves through spontaneous choreography, showcasing their creativity, musicality, and individual style. Born in the early 1970s, it emerged as dancers showcased their skills on the streets and in public places as the disco era ended.

2: Krumping

Krumping is an energetic and aggressive form of hip-hop dance characterized by exaggerated movements, stomping, and intense facial expressions. It originated in the early 2000s in South Central Los Angeles by Tight Eyez and Jo’Artis “Big Mijo” as a form of street dance and is often used as a form of self-expression and release.

3: Popping

Popping is a signature dance move characterized by quick, jerky movements known as “pops” or “hits” executed by tensing and relaxing muscles. Boogaloo Sam, inspired by television dancing, developed the popping dance in the 1960s, combining rigid robotic moves with free-flowing movements.

Popping originated in Fresno, California, and is commonly combined with other elements like locking, waving, and ticking to create complex routines.

4: Locking

Locking, a 1970s dance style from Los Angeles was developed by Don Campbell to respond to upbeat and funky music. It features distinctive movements called locks, which involve freezing in a pose or position during the dance. Locking also incorporates elements of mime and clowning, with dancers often wearing colorful outfits and using comedic expressions.

5: Breakdancing

Also known as breaking or b-boying/b-girling, breakdancing is a dynamic and acrobatic style of hip-hop dance that originated in the Bronx, New York, in the 1970s. It incorporates elements such as footwork, freezes, and power moves (such as spins and flips) performed to breakbeat music.

Breakdancing is associated with the rough streets of its birthplace and is frequently associated with certain clothing, such as baggy pants, sweatsuits, baseball caps, and sneakers.

How to Hip Hop Dance?

Learn the following steps on how to hip hop dance:

The Two-Step

The two-step dance technique, which involves side-to-side steps to the beat, is a natural and effective way to groove and enjoy music at parties, making it an excellent choice for dance. Beginners who learn how to hip hop dance benefit greatly from this step.

The Monastery

The Monastery Club in St. Louis introduced this footwork move based on the two-step foundation. Instead of bringing your feet together, tap them to the front with your knees and feet facing inward. As you tap your feet, rotate your arms and shoulders in a circular motion.

Booty Pop (Side To Side)

To perform a booty pop to the side, bend your knees, place your hands on one knee, and straighten the other leg while turning your knee inward. Long-haired individuals should keep their hair on one side to avoid a face flop.

The Billy Bounce

The unique aspect of this move is that the knees come inward on each bounce rather than just up and down. After completing the knee bounce, add an upward kick on each side. This move requires a few minutes of footwork but does not require an arm movement to look cool. Keep your arms in front and center.

The Dougie

Dougie is a dance move that involves shifting weight from side to side, adding shoulder movements, and maintaining a slight attitude. It can be performed with any hype beat and tailored for different songs.

Scoop Arm Into Hip Sway

This combo move requires a few minutes to learn and can be performed to any fun, sassy song. It involves scooping your arm across your chest, bringing it over your head, and pointing it in front of your chest. After pointing your arm, move your hips sideways and groove them out.

The Bust Down

The bust-down step involves grabbing your belt, raising one arm in the air, and dipping your body to the beat. This is a simple step for beginners to learn how to hip hop dance.

The Biz Markie

The Biz Markie is a party dance inspired by rapper Biz Markie that gained popularity in the 1990s. Allowing your shoulders to bounce during practice contributes to the dance’s unique style.

The Humpty

The Humpty is a bouncy move that involves circling hips and bending knees, followed by jumping and crossing legs, allowing feet to tap the floor before returning to the original position. This move is ideal for learning how to hip hop dance, and songs featuring double bass, and can be completed with a windmill motion of the arms.

Top Hip Hop Dance Songs

“Stanky Legg” by GS Boyz

Stanky Legg is the first single released by GS Boyz on August 15, 2008. The song features the Stanky Legg dance, in which the dancer moves one leg in a circular motion before repeating the process with the other leg.

“It’s Goin Down” by Yung Joc

It’s Goin’ Down is a popular rap song by Yung Joc. It was released in 2006 as the lead single from his debut album, “New Joc City.” Due to its catchy beats and hooks, it became an anthem for individuals and hip-hop fans. The lyrics depict a high-energy party scene, while the charismatic delivery conveys a message of celebration and triumph over adversity.

“Crank That” by Soulja Boy

DeAndre Cortez Way, also known as Soulja Boy, was a 16-year-old American artist who produced and co-wrote the hit song “Crank That.” This song, featuring a mix of bragging and dance instructions, made the artist the youngest to write, perform, and produce a chart-topper record. The song was the most popular digital track in the United States in 2007.

“You’re a Jerk” by New Boyz

You’re a Jerk is a hip-hop song by New Boyz, released in 2009 as part of their debut album Skinny Jeanz and Mic. The song features relatable characters such as J Legacy and Ben J, revives the jerkin’ dance style, and becomes a sensation. It highlights the group’s belief that their dancers are mean and act like jerks.

“Tootsee Roll” by 69 Boyz

In 1994, the 69 Boyz released Tootsee Roll, a dance hit that incorporated the Miami Bass sound and southern hip hop. The song gained popularity in the South after spending 27 weeks in the top 20 and peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song’s simple lyrics made it easy to sing along, and it became a dance hit.