What is hip hop dancing?
Hip hop dancing evolved along with its namesake musical genre; both began in the ghettos of New York City in the 1970s. Dancing to beat-heavy music, dancers utilize movements called popping, locking and breaking.BreakingOne of the earliest forms of hip hop dancing was break dancing. Breaking is done by “break boys” also known as “b-boys” or “b-girls” who combine quick footwork with floor moves such as the head spin and windmill, multiple back spins in succession.PoppingPopping involves jerky movements as muscles contract and relax. Popping also includes wave-like and isolation movements.LockingLocking uses exaggerated upper body movements. Poses are “locked” or frozen for a moment before the dance continues.CrewsHip hop dancers often form crews or groups who dance together. Crews can form based on a shared dance style or common ethnicity.BattlesA signature element of hip hop dancing is crews battling each other in competition.
