Introduction to Hip-Hop Dance

Hip hop is a cultural movement that originated in the Bronx, New York City during the 1970s, primarily among African Americans and with some influence from Latin Americans. It is best known for its impact on music, particularly the musical genre of the same name.

Breaking, also known as B-Boying, is a street dance style that emerged in the South Bronx, New York City in the early 1970s, primarily among Black and Puerto Rican youths. It combines elements of acrobatics, gymnastics, and rhythm.

Top Rock involves footwork-oriented steps performed while standing up. It's the foundation for many breaking moves.

Down Rock involves footwork performed with both hands and feet on the floor. This style of breaking emphasizes intricate footwork.

Freezes are stylish poses held with the hands. They offer a visually striking contrast to the flowing movements of other breaking elements.

Power Moves in Breaking involve full-body spins and rotations, often creating the illusion of defying gravity. They are the most dynamic and impressive movements.

Locking, also known as Campbellock Locking, is a dance style created by Campbellock Campbell in 1969 in Los Angeles, California. It is similar to popping, with both styles incorporating 'pauses' or 'locks' into the movement.

The Lockers were the crew that popularized Locking during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their style was a key influence in the development of hip hop dance.

A style of dance where dancers hold specific positions longer than usual. This freeze-like movement is a core element of locking.

A dance style known for its use of sudden, quick movements like pops, hit, and robotic elements. It gives the illusion of a body floating, sliding, or contorting.

A dance style where dancers use their arms, hands and wrists in a creative manner to make geometric shapes, often at right angles. This style is often used in funk and dance music.

A dance style that originated in the underground rave music scene, characterized by fast heel-toe movements and footwork. The dance gives the impression of feet gliding along the floor.

A powerful and expressive dance style that originated in South Central Los Angeles. It is characterized by strong, exaggerated movements and used as a way to express feelings and emotions.

The Electric Boogaloos were a dance crew that helped to popularize popping, a style of dance that involves robotic movements and quick pops and hits.

Samuel Boogaloo Sam Solomon was a pioneer of popping. He was the founder of The Electric Boogaloos.

The term 'Boogaloo' refers to a dance style that involves loose, fluid movements using the hips and legs. It gives the illusion that the dancer has no bones.

A street dance style that originated in the 1970s disco era, known for its stylized posing and fast synchronized arm movements. The name comes from the English word "waack," meaning "waving arms."

A street dance style that originated in the 1970s, characterized by popping, locking, and gliding movements. It emphasizes precision and isolation of body parts.

A style of dance popularized by the "Boogaloo Sam" crew, characterized by fast, intricate footwork, fluid body undulations, and often incorporates popping movements.

A street dance style characterized by a series of fluid, circular movements, often performed with the hips and waist as the focal point.

A street dance style characterized by quick, percussive footwork patterns, incorporating elements from other dance genres like house and techno.

Hip Hop dance provides many physical and mental benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, increased muscular strength and endurance, better coordination and flexibility, and enhanced social skills.