Since the mid-80s after the movie Beat Street rocketed to fame, hip-hop dance has been, without a doubt, the most popular youth dance form of the last couple of decades.
With so many styles, such as popping, locking, breakdancing, tutting, gliding, and robot thing, the list could go on and on ‘til the early morn. However, just to pick a few essential moves and delve into the magical world of b-boys and poppers, let’s take a look at ten of the most influential, most impressive, and most popular dance moves of the hip hop generation.
Here are my top ten best hip hop dance moves. Let’s break it down!
10. Arm Wave
There is no hip-hop dancing without mentioning popping. There is no popping without mentioning waves. The body wave, particularly the “arm wave,” has been a huge weapon for most poppers, allowing them to use various combinations of the move(up, down, sideways) to create dazzling displays of rhythm and groove.
9. Six-step
Introducing the first dance move most b-boys ever learn! The “six-step” is the most staple, fundamental footwork of a breakdancer’s down rock (floor routine) before jumping (sometimes literally) into more difficult moves. Footwork is actually the most important component of successful hip-hop choreography, making the shoes a dancer wears equally important. Jazz shoes or other dancewear aren’t quite right, so even the professionals opt for street sneakers. Make certain your sneakers are clean and supportive. How tightly you lace them is up to you. Hot colors in combination with black are part of the hip hop code.
8. Windmill
This very popular dance move was actually invented by a mistake. A b-boy was struggling to perform another move, the baby froze, but happened to fall on his arm and roll, hence giving birth to the “windmill.” Let’s hope he didn’t roll anything else.
7. Running man
The “running man” is fairly easy, yet it requires…nothing really. If you can’t do the running man you can’t walk. However, even if it isn’t the most skillful dance to perform, one cannot deny that it’s one of the most influential hip hop dance moves of all time, thanks to MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice.
6. Freeze
One of the greatest moves in breakdance is known as the “freeze,” which is usually an exclamation mark to end a dancer’s routine. In this move, the dancer “freezes” into a pose, suspending himself either on his head, shoulders but rarely on his feet. Some freezes include the famous baby freeze, the turtle freeze, the elbow freeze, the chair freeze and the hand glide freeze, all very dangerous if the dancer “thaws” too soon, yet, all quite exciting to watch if the dancer executes them well.
5. The coffee grinder (or helicopter)
With this fun, simple dance move, you can kill at parties without killing yourself. And the good thing is that it really looks as if you’re doing something difficult!
4. Happy feet
Also known as the “C-Walk,” this move is tricky, yet after the basics are learned, it can be quite easy. Not many know how impressive this move is. In fact, this move has opened so many doors to other elaborate footwork patterns, including Michael Jackson’s “spot shimmy” or “3 step.”
3. Chest pop
The “chest pop” or “chest hit,” is simply a dance move where a dancer physically mimics his own heartbeat pulsating inside his chest. I don’t know why I said “simply.”
2. Turtle
You have to be reptilian strong to do the “turtle,” which is why its name is appropriate. Only the better b-boys can do the turtle, but only the best b-boys can do it well.
1. Moonwalk
That’s one small step for Michael Jackson, one giant leap for anyone else. Popularized by the King of Pop, the “moonwalk” remains one of the smoothest moves of the last century and a perfect thriller for an oiled dance floor.
And it don’t stop…