Hip-hop dance has evolved from street corners to global stages, bringing with it a rich tapestry of styles that each tell their own story. If you’ve ever watched dancers and wondered “what style is that?” or felt confused about the difference between popping and locking, you’re not alone.
Many dancers and fitness enthusiasts hear terms like breaking or krumping tossed around but don’t really understand what makes each style unique or where they came from. This guide breaks down the major hip-hop dance styles, their origins, and what makes each one special.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll have a clear picture of the most influential hip-hop dance styles and know exactly where to start if you want to learn one yourself.
11 Hip-Hop Dance Styles
1. Breaking (B-boying/B-girling)
Breaking is one of the original elements of hip-hop culture that emerged in the Bronx during the 1970s. Pioneered by Black and Puerto Rican youth, breaking was performed during the break sections of songs when DJs would loop the percussion.
Breaking features dynamic movements divided into toprock (standing footwork), downrock (floor movements), power moves (acrobatic spins and freezes), and freezes (stylized poses). What sets breaking apart is its athletic, gravity-defying nature combined with improvisation and battle culture. Breaking has come so far that it debuted as an Olympic sport in 2024, showing just how much this street style has influenced global culture.
2. Popping
Popping developed in Fresno, California in the 1970s, with Boogaloo Sam and the Electric Boogaloos crew credited as its pioneers. This style is characterized by quick muscle contractions that create a “pop” or hit in the dancer’s body, typically on the beat.
The key feature of popping is the sudden tension and release of muscles, creating a jerking effect while maintaining flow between movements. Dancers often incorporate robotic movements, waving (creating a wave-like motion through the body), and gliding (creating the illusion of floating). Popping requires incredible muscle control and isolation, making it both visually striking and technically challenging.
3. Locking
Locking was created by Don Campbell in the early 1970s in Los Angeles after he couldn’t properly execute a move called the Funky Chicken. His style of pausing or “locking” in certain positions became the foundation for this playful dance form.
This style is characterized by quick movements followed by sudden stops or “locks” where the dancer freezes briefly before continuing. Locking features pointing, hand slaps, exaggerated movements, and a distinctly funky, high-energy performance style. Dancers typically wear colorful clothing with knee-high socks and suspenders, reflecting the style’s roots in 1970s funk culture and TV shows like “Soul Train.”
4. Krumping
Krumping emerged in South Central Los Angeles in the early 2000s, developed by dancers Tight Eyez (Ceasare Willis) and Big Mijo (Jo’Artis Ratti) as an evolution of clowning, a dance style created by Tommy the Clown.
This highly expressive, energetic style features exaggerated chest pops, stomps, swings, and jabs performed with intense energy and emotion. Krumping serves as an outlet for expressing raw feelings and releasing tension, with battles that showcase personality and power rather than violence. The style gained mainstream attention through the 2005 documentary “Rize” and has become known for its cathartic, almost spiritual quality.
5. Tutting
Tutting evolved from popping in the 1980s, drawing inspiration from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and the angular positions seen in ancient art.
This geometric style focuses on creating shapes and angles with the body, particularly with the arms and hands. Dancers create intricate patterns by positioning their arms, hands, and fingers at 90-degree angles, forming boxes and other geometric shapes. Modern tutting has expanded to include finger tutting, which creates miniature geometric patterns with just the fingers. The precision and visual patterns make tutting particularly popular in both battles and choreographed performances.
6. Waacking
Waacking originated in the LGBTQ+ club scene of Los Angeles during the 1970s, particularly among Black and Latino communities. It gained popularity in underground clubs and was later showcased on “Soul Train.”
This style is characterized by rapid arm movements, circular hand rotations, and dramatic poses inspired by old Hollywood glamour and fashion magazine poses. Waacking emphasizes musicality, especially with disco music, and incorporates storytelling through expressive arm and upper body movements. The style celebrates self-expression and personal identity, with dancers often adding their own flair and personality.
7. Vogueing
Vogueing emerged from Harlem ballroom culture in the late 1960s and 1970s, created primarily by Black and Latino LGBTQ+ communities as a form of expression and competition. The style was named after the fashion magazine Vogue, as many movements mimicked model poses.
This style features angular, linear, and precise movements organized into categories: hands performance (intricate hand movements), catwalk (runway walking), duckwalk (squatting and moving on toes), floor performance, and spins and dips. Vogueing gained mainstream attention through Madonna’s 1990 hit “Vogue” and the documentary “Paris Is Burning,” but its roots remain deeply connected to ballroom culture and houses (family-like structures in the ballroom community).
8. House Dance
House dance developed in Chicago and New York City clubs in the late 1970s and early 1980s, evolving alongside house music. The style emerged organically as dancers responded to the distinctive beats and rhythms of house music.
This style combines footwork (jacking, stomping, skating), lofting (smooth, flowing movements), and elements borrowed from African, Latin, and jazz dance. House dance emphasizes freedom, flow, and connection to the music, with a focus on the relationship between the dancer and the floor. The style creates a sense of community, with dancers often forming circles in clubs where individuals can enter and express themselves.
9. Litefeet
Litefeet (also known as “getting lite”) emerged in Harlem, New York in the early 2000s. It gained popularity through subway performances by groups like WAFFLE (We Are Family For Life Entertainment) and spread through social media.
This fast-paced style features intricate footwork, glides, skates, and tone wops (bouncing movements). Litefeet is known for its speed, precision, and incorporation of props like hats or sneakers into routines. The style has become particularly associated with New York City subway performances and has influenced commercial hip-hop choreography in music videos.
10. Dancehall (Hip-Hop Influence)
While dancehall originated in Jamaica in the late 1970s, it has significantly influenced and been influenced by hip-hop dance culture. The cross-pollination between dancehall and hip-hop accelerated in the 1990s and continues today.
Dancehall features rhythmic, high-energy movements that follow the distinctive beats of dancehall music. The style includes wine (hip rotations), dutty wine (circular head movements), and various signature moves that often tell stories or reference everyday activities. Dancehall has contributed numerous moves to hip-hop choreography, while also incorporating elements from hip-hop styles, creating a rich cultural exchange.
11. Street Jazz / Commercial Hip-Hop
Street Jazz emerged in the 1980s and 1990s as choreographers began fusing traditional jazz dance techniques with hip-hop movements for music videos, concerts, and commercial performances.
This style combines the technical elements of jazz dance with the groove and attitude of hip-hop. It features clean lines, extensions, and turns from jazz alongside hip-hop’s isolations, waves, and grooves. Commercial hip-hop is highly visible in music videos, concerts, and dance competition shows, making it one of the most widely recognized forms of hip-hop dance in mainstream media.
How These Styles Appear in Dance Battles & Events
Hip-hop dance battles showcase these styles in dynamic ways. Events like Red Bull Dance Your Style welcome all street styles, with dancers choosing their preferred style to battle one-on-one to randomly selected tracks. This format tests versatility and musicality across different styles.
In battles, judges and crowds typically value both technical skill and personal innovation. The best dancers show respect for a style’s foundations while adding their own creative twist. International competitions have created a global dialogue between styles, with dancers often blending elements from multiple traditions.
Many dancers today are multi-stylists who can adapt to different music and contexts. This cross-pollination keeps the dance forms evolving while still honoring their cultural roots and distinctive characteristics.
How to Choose a Hip-Hop Style to Learn
Selecting a hip-hop style to learn depends on several factors that match your personal preferences and physical abilities:
Consider your physical strengths: Breaking requires upper body strength and comfort with floor work, while popping demands muscle control and isolation. House dance needs stamina for continuous footwork, and locking calls for high energy and flexibility.
Think about what you want to express: If you’re looking to channel intense emotions, krumping offers cathartic release. For those drawn to precision and visual patterns, tutting or vogueing might be appealing. Waacking and house dance celebrate freedom and joy of movement.
Reflect on your musical preferences: Each style connects to specific music—house dance flows with house music’s four-on-the-floor beat, while breaking matches best with break beats and funk. Listen to different music genres to see what moves you naturally.
For learning resources, check out online dance classes where you can find instructors specializing in various hip-hop styles. Local studios often offer beginner workshops, and YouTube provides free tutorials to sample different styles before committing.
The best approach is to try several styles through sample classes. The right style will feel like it “clicks” with your body and personality. Many dancers at Perspire.tv offer beginner-friendly sessions in various hip-hop styles that you can try from home.
FAQs About Hip-Hop Dance Styles
Can I learn multiple hip-hop styles at once? While possible, it’s usually better to focus on one style initially to build a strong foundation. Once you understand the basic principles of one style, it becomes easier to branch out.
Do I need dance experience to learn hip-hop? Not at all! Everyone starts somewhere. Beginner classes are designed to welcome newcomers, and many styles have basic moves that are accessible to anyone.
Which hip-hop style is best for fitness? All styles provide excellent workouts, but breaking and krumping tend to be the most physically demanding. House dance offers great cardio benefits with less impact on the upper body.
How long does it take to get good at hip-hop dance? Like any skill, progress depends on practice. With consistent training (2-3 times weekly), you can develop basic proficiency in about 3-6 months, but mastery takes years.
Can adults start learning hip-hop dance? Absolutely! Many adults begin hip-hop dance in their 30s, 40s, and beyond. There are classes specifically designed for adult beginners.
The Bottom Line
Hip-hop dance styles represent rich cultural traditions that continue to evolve and inspire new generations. Each style carries its own history, movement vocabulary, and expressive purpose, while collectively they showcase the creativity and resilience of the communities that created them. The beauty of hip-hop dance culture lies in its accessibility and community spirit. Even as these styles gain recognition on global stages, they remain connected to their roots in self-expression, cultural identity, and the joy of movement. So put on some music, try out a few moves, and find the style that makes you want to dance.